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Sarawak State Library

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The Lantern of Lost Memories

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Call no.
: 895.636/HII
Author
: Sanaka Hiiragi
Contributor
: Rozana Octovia Anak Raymond Umpu
Summary
The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi is a tender blend of comfort fiction and magical realism set in a mysterious photo studio where the recently deceased select one photograph from each year of their lives to display on a spinning lantern. If a memory feels faded, the studio’s owner, Mr. Hirasaka, can take them back to relive it, restoring its clarity before they move on. Told through three interconnected vignettes, the book follows Hatsue, a 92-year-old nursery teacher reflecting on post-war Japan; Waniguchi, a former yakuza confronting his past; and Mitsuru, a neglected young girl whose story also reveals Mr. Hirasaka’s own history. While cozy and heartwarming, the novel doesn’t shy away from grief, loss, abuse, or redemption, offering a poignant meditation on which moments truly define a life. Critics praise its warmth, emotional depth, and thought-provoking themes, though some note its brevity leaves world-building and certain mysteries—particularly Mr. Hirasaka’s background—less explored. Much like Before the Coffee Gets Cold, it leaves readers with a sense of bittersweet hope, making it a gentle but resonant read.