A beguiling novel about three women struggling to determine their own lives in contemporary Tokyo. 'Breathtaking' – Haruki Murakami author of Norwegian Wood A New York Times 'Notable Book of the Year' and one of Elena Ferrante's 'Top 40 Books by Female Authors'. Shortlisted for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation. On a hot summer’s day in a poor suburb of Tokyo we meet three women: thirty-year-old Natsuko, her older sister Makiko, and Makiko’s teenage daughter Midoriko. Makiko, an ageing hostess despairing the loss of her looks, has travelled to Tokyo in search of breast enhancement surgery. She's accompanied by her daughter, who has recently stopped speaking, finding herself unable to deal with her own changing body and her mother’s self-obsession. Her silence dominates Natsuko’s rundown apartment, providing a catalyst for each woman to grapple with their own anxieties and their relationships with one another. ************** Have you ever thought about how interesting the world is that opens up through the pages of a book? Reading is not just a routine activity, but also an unlimited adventure into imagination and knowledge. Reading sharpens the mind, opens up insights, and enriches vocabulary. It is a door to the infinite world beyond us. Set aside a special time to read every day. From reading before bed to making time in the morning, reading habits can be formed with consistency. Choose books according to your interests and literacy level. Start with books that suit your reading desires and abilities. Find a quiet and comfortable place to read. Adequate lighting, a comfortable chair, and a little yard music can create a better reading experience. Join a reading group or literacy forum. Discuss the books you read and get recommendations from fellow readers. Make notes or journals about the books you have read.