Yiachi is raising his daughter Kana alone- at first (like another character assumed) I thought the mother had died, but actually they’re divorced and the daughter has occasional visits with her mom. This family situation alone seems unusual in Japan (or at least not discussed much?) but even more socially awkward is what becomes apparent when Yiachi and Kana receive a foreign visitor. Mike is a big, burly Canadian guy. He comes to stay because Yiachi’s brother had recently passed away- and Mike was his husband. The little girl Kana hardly knows anything about her dad’s twin brother, but she’s thrilled to get to know Mike. Who is a very kind, friendly and gentle soul. Really, he’s just a nice guy, not a creep or pervert as some people seem to think when they learn he’s gay. Kana is curious what it all means- but completely accepting of the facts. She’s confused when her friends’ parents don’t want them to be around Mike. Yiachi himself has to question his own feelings of unease, prejudices he thought he didn’t have, why he actually had become so distant from his brother. And there’s the added awkwardness of how acutely Yiachi’s appearance reminds Mike of his loss. Plus all the interesting things about cultural differences- Mike trying new foods, misunderstanding some Japanese words and learning new ones, being eager to see everyday places his partner had told him about (which the Japanese family take for granted as being so ordinary). It’s nice that when Kana’s mother joins them on some outings, to see that the divorced parents actually get along fine, they’re not arguing or insulting each other. This story really shows how all families have their own way of being, and that people are just people. And Kana’s fondness for Mike as her new Uncle is really endearing.
Borrowed from the public library.
