The Tatami Galaxy

by Tomihiko Morimi
The Tatami Galaxy cover
Good Books rating 3.17
Magical Realism
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 4552
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780063158467
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Published: 2022-12-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Tatami Galaxy follows an unnamed college student in Kyoto who, after a series of poor decisions, finds himself on the brink of dropping out. His life takes a surreal turn when he encounters a self-proclaimed god who offers him the chance to explore parallel universes, each presenting a different version of his college experience. Through these adventures, he grapples with love, friendship, and the choices that shape his life. The novel is a whimsical and introspective journey, inspired by the beloved anime series, and is filled with quirky details like a half-eaten castella cake and a photograph from Rome that hold the keys to self-discovery. /n/nTomihiko Morimi's contemporary classic is a time-traveling romp that speaks to everyone who has wondered about the roads not taken. With its blend of humor, fantasy, and profound existential questions, The Tatami Galaxy is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of destiny and personal growth.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2023-01-01
disappointing 1.00

The reviewer found the novel lifeless and disagreeable, losing interest early on. They criticize the book's lack of engaging content.

The reviewer was not impressed by 'The Tatami Galaxy', describing it as lifeless and disagreeable. They lost interest by page 69, indicating that the book failed to capture their attention or provide engaging content. The overall tone suggests a strong dissatisfaction with the novel's execution. The reviewer's critique is harsh, focusing on the book's inability to sustain interest, which might be a significant factor for potential readers.

Quick quotes

    For me, it was 69 pages into Tomihiko Morimi's lifeless, disagreeable novel.

    I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book.

    The story felt flat and uninspired.

Amazon · 2023-01-01
good 4.00

The reviewer describes the book as a light and humorous read, praising its quick and witty writing. They found it enjoyable and easy to read.

The reviewer on Amazon describes 'The Tatami Galaxy' as an extremely light read, which they believe works in the book's favor. They praise the writing for being quick, witty, and quite humorous, making it an enjoyable and easy read. The reviewer's overall sentiment is positive, highlighting the book's humor and ease of reading, which are likely to appeal to readers looking for a lighthearted and entertaining novel. The reviewer's perspective suggests that the book's humor and quick pace are its strongest assets.

Quick quotes

    It is an extremely light read, so you'll likely fly through it.

    The writing is quick, witty, and quite humorous.

    I believe that works in it's favor.

The New York Times · 2022-12-13
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer praises the novel's cleverness and depth, highlighting its unique narrative structure. They found the book thought-provoking and engaging.

The reviewer from The New York Times found 'The Tatami Galaxy' to be an extremely clever book that makes you want to reread it immediately. They appreciated the novel's unique narrative structure and the way it explores different realities. The reviewer also noted that the book is thought-provoking and engaging, making it a standout read. The overall sentiment is positive, with the reviewer highlighting the book's cleverness and depth, which are likely to appeal to readers who enjoy complex and thought-provoking narratives.

Quick quotes

    An extremely clever book and one that makes you want to reread it right away.

    I was enjoying it well enough and found the first three sections interesting.

    The novel's unique narrative structure is one of its standout features.

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