The Garden of Words

I recently watched The Garden of Words film for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. When I saw there was a book, I ordered it right away and must say I am not disappointed. The book fleshes out the story in greater detail and provides needed back story. Other characters are given their own chapters and I found myself sympathetic toward them while I disliked them in the film. I found myself able to relate to many things in the story and it really hit home in some places. I've already recommended it to a few friends. For being a translated work, the writing is excellent. I didn't find any awkward or confusing passages. I could feel the translation stayed true to the author's vision of both the novel and the film. While the story does focus on a host of emotional issues, I found it to be an overall calm and comforting read that I enjoyed. There's wasn't a sense of urgency to pull an all nighter and finish it. I was able to pick it up and dive right back in over the course of a few days. At the end, it felt like things came full circle. A very satisfying read. I would definitely recommend.

The Garden of Words is justifiably famous as one of the brilliant works of creator Makoto Shinkai, neither a movie, an OVA, or a TV episode, but rather, at only 46 minutes long, something extraordinary, a video short story: a couple of misfits, divided by age, are nevertheless drawn together by circumstances and weather until they are driven apart but with hope for the future. Takao Akizuki is a 15-year-old high schooler, planning to become a cobbler, whose maturity so towers over his eleven years older brother and his divorced mother dating younger men that other high school kids barely even register with him, Yukari Yukino is a 27-year-old so bullied by the world around her that she has all but ceased to function, but following a chance meeting in a park during the rain, they find themselves drawn to each other. What follows is a rainy season's worth of casual meetings, culminating in a crisis. Shortly after finishing the film, Mr. Shinkai wrote this manga version of The Garden of Words , illustrated by Midori Motohashi, and while it is mostly the same, I could not help but notice that everywhere it is different, it is better than the film. The thought balloons, the less accusatory rant by Takao, and most especially the extra scene at the end, which has Yukari WEARING the shoes, all improve the story IMHO, and given Mr. Shinkai's participation in both, that is rather telling. Then, around three years later, Mr. Shinkai wrote this novel version of The Garden of Words , and once again, I think he improves the story, this time with a lot more detail (some downright surprising) into the several major characters and a logical, plausible final chapter ten and epilogue that brings the two main characters together some four and a half years later, seemingly finally, Finally, FINALLY ready to defy the odds and try for happiness together.

I first saw the movie and become an instant fan. Makoto Shinkai has been declared Miyazaki's heir and you can see this by the way he does his scenery. Especially impressive was a short of real life scenes compared to what was in the movie. I didn't know this manga was in print and of course had to obtain it. Overall, it follows the movie pretty well. Some differences but it's pretty close. We of course start with Takao skipping first period as he likes to do when it rains. He loves a gazebo in a park. This time he happens on Ms. Yakino who is also ditching work. She is an interesting woman as she is drinking beer and eating chocolate. A warning sign that a woman is having a bad day. But a teenager would not know this. He does his usual of drawing shoes and starts using her feet and shoes for ideas. He of course tries to be secret about it. Over time they start becoming friends. Sharing food and talking. She starts eating normal and stops having her morning beer and chocolate. He has more confidence in this quest. There is an age difference and it all goes comes to a confrontation and a resolution. As I liked the movie; I liked this printed version. Midori Motohashi is the artist and there is a few addons at the end. I did like how Takao became fascinated with shoes. Sort of bitter sweet. I did like the addons as it added more. I wanted more at the end of the story and this gave a little more insight especially a drawing of Takao and Ms. Yakino.

I decided to write this review because nobody had posted with pictures of the hardcover, and I was slightly concerned for the quality of the hardcover as not even Amazon had provided any pictures on the actual item page, just a stock image of what could've been a paperback for all anybody could tell. So I hope that if you're concerned about the lack of pictures for hardcover, fret not, I've got you covered. Four stars because the bottom of the spine is slightly dented, though it's not a deal breaker or anything like that, at least for me. Also the cover had some sticky dirty stuff on two spots, like when you remove a sticker and it tears, leaving behind sticky dirty stuff you now have to clean. Easily cleaned though, no problem.

Muito boa a edição.

I really appreciate the paper quality, it was like a thin canvas paper.

Beautifully written book with great illustrations.

El servicio de Amazon fue excelente como de costumbre, llegó a tiempo y el producto presentó cero defectos, además de que el precio fue inferior al de portada. La calidad del manga es buena, papel grueso amarfilado, buen empastado que no ondula para nada las hojas, cero diálogos recortados, un par de hojas a color y portada de cartoncillo sin cubrepolvos, de tamaño muy similar a los mangas grandes de editorial panini aquí en México. Es un solo tomo. La historia es idéntica a la película excepto por un pequeñísimo detalle al final, pero no aporta nada sustancial nuevo, además de que obviamente carece de la belleza visual de las películas de Shinkai. Por ello, recomiendo el manga sólo para los fans más ávidos. En lo personal estoy muy satisfecha con esta compra.

Pretty short (about an hour) read. But if you're a fan definitely worth it! Nice artwork and it's like a mini movie