April 21, 2025
Nanae Aoyama¡¯s A Perfect Day to Be Alone is a novel that attempts to capture the quiet struggles of early adulthood but, alas falls short of leaving a lasting impression.
The story follows 20-year-old Chizu as she moves to Tokyo, seeking independence while her mother works in China. With no money, she stays with Ginko; elderly relative and spends a year navigating love, heartbreak, work, and loneliness. While the premise holds promise, the execution feels lackluster and uninspired.
One of the book¡¯s strengths lies in its seasonal structure, which mirrors Chizu¡¯s emotional journey. The division into Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter provides a framework for her growth; and Aoyama¡¯s spare, understated prose effectively conveys the melancholic atmosphere of her life in Tokyo. There are moments of deadpan humor and subtle introspection that add depth to the narrative, and the contrast between Chizu, her mother, and Ginko offers a thoughtful exploration of generational differences and societal expectations. Ginko, in particular, stands out as a character who embodies resilience and fulfillment, providing a stark contrast to Chizu¡¯s aimlessness.
However, the novel¡¯s flaws are hard to overlook. Writing unlikeable character can be a hit or a miss, depending on how you write your character. Chizu, as a protagonist is cynical, unmotivated, and often mean-spirited. While her flaws may make her realistic, they also make it difficult to root for her especially for a reader like me, who places a lot of importance on how a character is portrayed. That said, characters don¡¯t necessarily have to be kind or good to be compelling; the way the story is told and the depth of their development is what play a crucial role in shaping the reader¡¯s engagement. As for me, it is not worthwhile.
Much of the reason is that her lack of curiosity, ambition, or meaningful relationships leaves little to invest in, and the story often feels stagnant as a result. The plot itself is thin, with little happening beyond mundane daily struggles, and the pacing can feel tedious at times. Therefore, the book¡¯s reliance on symbolism and ambiguity may appeal to some, but it often comes across as superficial ¡ª leaving too much unsaid and too little to hold onto.
Nevertheless, the novel¡¯s exploration of loneliness and the challenge of adulthood is relatable in theory, but Chizu¡¯s constant negativity and lack of growth is what make it hard to fully engage with her journey (perhaps a matter of preference and subjective experience). While the ending attempts to strike a hopeful note, it feels not merited as Chizu¡¯s development throughout the story is minimal at best.
Ultimately, this book did try to find meaning in the mundane, but struggles to deliver an imperative or memorable experience. While it has moments of insight and a few well-drawn characters, its unlikable protagonist, slow pacing, and lack of plot make it a taxing read. For those who enjoy introspective, slice-of-life stories, it may offer some appeal, but unfortunately, it seems to me that this is forgettable and disappointing.
The story follows 20-year-old Chizu as she moves to Tokyo, seeking independence while her mother works in China. With no money, she stays with Ginko; elderly relative and spends a year navigating love, heartbreak, work, and loneliness. While the premise holds promise, the execution feels lackluster and uninspired.
One of the book¡¯s strengths lies in its seasonal structure, which mirrors Chizu¡¯s emotional journey. The division into Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter provides a framework for her growth; and Aoyama¡¯s spare, understated prose effectively conveys the melancholic atmosphere of her life in Tokyo. There are moments of deadpan humor and subtle introspection that add depth to the narrative, and the contrast between Chizu, her mother, and Ginko offers a thoughtful exploration of generational differences and societal expectations. Ginko, in particular, stands out as a character who embodies resilience and fulfillment, providing a stark contrast to Chizu¡¯s aimlessness.
However, the novel¡¯s flaws are hard to overlook. Writing unlikeable character can be a hit or a miss, depending on how you write your character. Chizu, as a protagonist is cynical, unmotivated, and often mean-spirited. While her flaws may make her realistic, they also make it difficult to root for her especially for a reader like me, who places a lot of importance on how a character is portrayed. That said, characters don¡¯t necessarily have to be kind or good to be compelling; the way the story is told and the depth of their development is what play a crucial role in shaping the reader¡¯s engagement. As for me, it is not worthwhile.
Much of the reason is that her lack of curiosity, ambition, or meaningful relationships leaves little to invest in, and the story often feels stagnant as a result. The plot itself is thin, with little happening beyond mundane daily struggles, and the pacing can feel tedious at times. Therefore, the book¡¯s reliance on symbolism and ambiguity may appeal to some, but it often comes across as superficial ¡ª leaving too much unsaid and too little to hold onto.
Nevertheless, the novel¡¯s exploration of loneliness and the challenge of adulthood is relatable in theory, but Chizu¡¯s constant negativity and lack of growth is what make it hard to fully engage with her journey (perhaps a matter of preference and subjective experience). While the ending attempts to strike a hopeful note, it feels not merited as Chizu¡¯s development throughout the story is minimal at best.
Ultimately, this book did try to find meaning in the mundane, but struggles to deliver an imperative or memorable experience. While it has moments of insight and a few well-drawn characters, its unlikable protagonist, slow pacing, and lack of plot make it a taxing read. For those who enjoy introspective, slice-of-life stories, it may offer some appeal, but unfortunately, it seems to me that this is forgettable and disappointing.
