First published 2002
Maria returns to her coastal hometown to visit her ailing cousin Tsugumi, a willful, sickly girl who has long tormented her. As they grapple with their fraught relationship, the two girls confront the limits of their bond and the weight of their shared past. Amidst the beachside backdrop, Tsugumi's unpredictable nature and Maria's quiet strength collide, leading to a bittersweet reckoning that will linger long after the final pages.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Tokyo (Japan)
186 pages · Hardcover · Grove Pr
Content warnings: terminal-illness