March 15, 2024
A perfect companion to Murasaki Yamada's Talk to My Back, Kari's manga is a contemplation of womanhood at middle age. Film promoter Sawako Honna is 42, and she has noticed her body changing. As she experiences cold and hot flashes, sudden pain, and emotional imbalances that come with menopause, her mortality starts to come into focus. This uncommon manga for adults deals with the stresses of what it means to be a woman in her forties, and that theme is nicely matched by the book's slow and contemplative pace. Sawako's struggles feel personal, and her anxieties are illustrated with care. Kari's floaty and light style really helps give this a fittingly introspective feel. While the content is never violent or explicit, the subject matter is most relevant to adult readers who appreciate contemplations on aging and gender expectations.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.