The Lantern of Lost Memories

by Sanaka Hiiragi
The Lantern of Lost Memories cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1098
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9781035023653
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2024-08-22
  • Formats: 45
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99 Hardback • £14.99
Bookshop
Format • £14.24

Sanaka Hiiragi's The Lantern of Lost Memories is a poignant exploration of family, love, loss, and the essence of life. Set in a cozy photo studio nestled in the mountains, the story unfolds as guests wake up to a stack of photographs capturing every day of their lives. They are tasked with selecting one photograph from each year to be placed in a beautiful Japanese lantern, allowing their life to flash before their eyes. The kind studio owner, Hirasaka, guides them back in time to relive one special day, offering a chance to find peace and rediscover the beauty in their memories. This novel delves into the profound impact of memories and the healing power of revisiting the past. It asks the poignant question: if you could relive one day of your life, which would it be? Through its uplifting narrative, The Lantern of Lost Memories invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the moments that define them.

Reviews
MotherBookerBlog · 2025-03-10
Emotional 3.50

This book is a heartfelt and emotional read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss. The reviewer found it to be a moving exploration of life and memory.

The reviewer received this book as a Christmas gift and found it to be a deeply emotional and heartwarming read. They appreciated the book's exploration of life and memory, noting its ability to evoke strong emotions. The reviewer found the story to be moving and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    It's quite an emotional read, and definitely will be for anyone that's ever dealt with loss.

    It took me quite a while to put my thoughts into words because of how much it affected me.

    A heartfelt and emotional read that will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss.

Asian Review of Books · 2024-10-13
Poignant 4.00

This book offers a poignant and unforgettable exploration of life and memory. The reviewer appreciated the intricate plot and the quiet heroism of the main character.

The reviewer found this book to be a poignant and unforgettable read, appreciating the intricate plot and the quiet heroism of the main character. They noted that the book offers a deep exploration of life and memory, making it a thought-provoking and moving experience. The reviewer also highlighted the book's ability to evoke strong emotions and introspection.

Quick quotes

    Hiiragi's masterful storytelling and richly drawn characters make this a poignant and unforgettable read.

    The intricate plot, filled with twists, keeps the reader engaged throughout.

    By the end of the book, the reader comes to a better understanding of Hirasaka, too.

Pretty Little Memoirs · 2024-09-16
Affective 4.50

This book is thought-provoking and deeply affecting, carrying a profound spiritual weight despite its short length. It explores themes of loss and memory in a way that resonates long after the final page.

The reviewer found this book to be a powerful exploration of memory and loss, noting its ability to evoke deep emotions and introspection. They appreciated the book's spiritual depth and its ability to make readers reflect on their own lives and the memories they hold dear. The story's tragic moments are balanced by its profound message, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Thought-provoking, affecting, and tragic at times.

    Although it is a short book, it is mighty in spiritual weight.

    This book is a reminder of the importance of living on in the memories of others.

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