Definitely one for fans of the 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' style of Japanese fiction. A series of interconnected stories whereby those who have lost someone and wish to talk to them for one last time can do so, helped by the unlikely-looking teenager known as the Go-Between. Each story is moving, especially so for anyone who has themselves lost a loved one, and the whole thing is a satisfying form of the 'healing fiction' genre.

For me, not as strong or as involving as the same author's 'Lonely Castle in the Mirror', but a strong 4 to 4.5 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

The concept of this book was brilliant.
I don't have much I want to say except what a wonderful book and a fantastic author.

Through the go-between people are able to meet with any departed person once in their lifetime as long as that person agrees, who also only get one meeting. In Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon by Mizuki Tsujimura four people request a meeting with their loved ones, confronting and accepting the misgivings and misunderstandings that occurred during that persons life so that they can move on with theirs.

‘Some people search high and low and never find their way to the go-between, while others, the ones who really need it, don’t do anything and the information finds them. It’s not a coincidence that this information made its way to you.’

Tsujimura’s writing, and the translation of Tejima, relay a Japanese sensibility in not only how each character talks to the reader but in how they think, perceive and treat themselves and those around them. The reader gains a strong sense of who these people are through their intimate thoughts and feelings, though there is depth missing to those who died, even if their purpose is to help the living person move on.

‘Sitting on the train on my way to the hotel, I realised I wasn’t spooked over the idea of going to see a ghost. […] Or maybe it was because my fear lay not in encountering a ghost, but seeing the real Misono.’

The diary-like vignettes change in tone between each character and slowly they come to intertwine with the go-between Ayumi who becomes a main perspective at the end. The expression of each character feels like a voyeurism conflicting the reader in siding with the living or the departed. Each character is brutally honest in their inner thoughts but the reader can still be surprised in finding unreliable moments of narration.

Despite that, I found the repeated formula each chapter follows to reflect a polarising perspective of the circumstances each character goes through and their feelings towards the departed. There are some strange jumps between past and current day alongside some realisations the characters draw after the meeting that aren’t made clear, which created confusion and took me out of the story.

‘Kirari, who until today has been alive inside of me. After tonight, she would be dead.’

Chapters 3 & 4 were a highlight for me in this book as some mystery is given with Misono and Kirari’s deaths. The unravelling of Ayumi’s emotions leading to his interference in the meetings as well as the more heartwarming reunion of Tsuchiya and Kirari finally served a depth to the story that I was waiting for, however ultimately this book lacks lyricism and atmosphere to match the concept of the story. The idea was a lot more compelling than the execution, but after the inclusion of a snippet of the sequel at the end, I am intrigued to see if there will be some further depth to these characters explored as more perspectives are shown.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This was a very different type of read for me. I don't usually read an Asian set book like this.
Initially, I found it a bit difficult to get into the book, but what kept me going was the premise of the stories. Who would you meet if you ever had the chance to meet one person who had passed away? It is a very introspective and thought-provoking read, and by the time I read story 3, it all started to come together. I was intrigued. I enjoyed how the author explored how people handle grief differently in the different scenarios. It was interesting to see the reasons people sought out the go-between.
Ayumi's role with his grandmother was the best part for me, and at such a young age, he had wisdom beyond his years.
I am glad that I continued with the book and would definitely read more by this author.

This book tells four stories of interlinked characters, so it felt both like anthology but also a whole book at once. I do like the sentimental value and emotional reflection that the stories here give, but I also felt like we could've scrap some plots to expand or explore the more important parts at once. While this was a reflective read, upon reading it, it is sadly not memorable nor give me lasting impression. By now, I think I only remember glimpses of the stories, but the vibe of each stories do linger. Also, to me, this is a slow paced read, also NOT lighthearted in any way, btw. Do engage with that in mind.

I really enjoyed this. It’s a solid addition to the genre of Japan novels that I really like. Though maybe not quite so cosy as some of the others I’ve read, being a look at grief and second chances to say goodbye.

I really loved the reflective nature of this book. It looks very much into what reasons people might have to want a last conversation with someone after they’ve passed. I liked the way everyone’s reasons were different and they were sometimes not the reason you might think.

Some of the characters in this were very unlikeable. It was interesting to see them alongside the more likeable one. I feel it did a good job of showing different perspectives and characters.

If you’re enjoying the other Japanese fiction I’ve been recommending, this might be a good choice!

So asks the smart young man, Ayumi, to his clients who have come to him for a reunion with the person who once changed their life.

But it is no ordinary reunion The people they ask to see have passed away.

Calling himself the go-between, Ayumi lays down strict rules around the meetings between the living and the dead: the deceased cannot have been summoned by anyone else; they may refuse; and they must meet under a full moon.

- Anxious Hirase asks to see the celebrity who showed her kindness at a critical moment;
- An resentful family man wants clarity about a will from his beloved mother;
- After a bike accident, a school girl has a question for her former best friend;
- A salary man wants to ask the only woman he ever loved what caused her to run away.

With each reunion, tantalizing clues are scattered for readers to piece together the emotional truth behind the go-between.

overall a very interesting and captivating story! i really enjoy translated fiction and this one was such an interesting concept. will be reaading the author's other books for sure

Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon is a captivating blend of mystery and supernatural themes. The story weaves gentle, introspective moments with intriguing, atmospheric suspense. The characters are nuanced, and the mood is just right - sometimes haunting, sometimes hopeful. A few plot threads feel a bit understated, but overall, it’s a beautifully written, immersive read that earns 4 stars. Perfect for those who enjoy quiet, emotionally resonant stories with a touch of the mystical.

I read this on recommendation after Before the Coffee Gets Cold and honestly I might have loved this even more. There is a quiet weight to each of these stories that feels so real as a discussion of grief and living after others have gone. That reality is embedded throughout: some gain closure and some can't, some are relieved of the weight and some take on more. Once time is up, it's up, and there will be no more. No second chances, no redos.

Each of the characters is well realised even in a relatively short space, and exist in the true complexity of humanity. No one here is flawless, we are not dealing with idealised characters, just people, in their complicated, beautiful, broken glory. Arashi's chapter in particular struck me with how painful it was, the lack of honesty with herself and others that she couldn't let go of and so never gained the closure she really needed. It was awful to read in how well it was done, and yet so accurate to how overwhelming every little thing can be as a teenage girl.

The internal monologue by Ayumi really hit me towards the end, trying to decipher whether these visiting ghosts are the true entirety of the person they were, or simply a collection of living memories about them. Are the dead ever entirely themselves again, or are they created by the living, by what lived on when they didn't, whether true or false or only half known? Like many things in this book there is no easy answer, inly the lingering question to dwell on after you finish reading.

I will definitely be picking up more books by this author. The translation is wonderfully done and has helped to capture a delicate, complicated spectrum of feelings throughout. I look forward to seeing more from both of them.

“I bring together the living and the departed,” he said in a solemn voice, enunciating his words. “I am the go-between.”

🌕 Japanese Translated Fiction
🌕 Contemporary/ Literary Fiction
🌕 Contemplative
🌕 Grief, love, life, and loss
🌕 From the author of Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Contemplative and thought- provoking, the stories of the Go Between and the people he meets linger with you.

The first half of The Go Between felt like a collection of interconnected short stories; by turns emotive, loving, devastating and even dark. I felt the pace lagged at times in this part, before picking up again. For me, it really came into its own halfway through when it changed into more of a novel format. I loved the relationship between Ayumi and his grandmother.

This books was haunting and beautiful. For fans for Before the Coffee gets cold, it contains short stories in the beginning that are drawn together by the end. While it is mysterious and character focused, it doesn't leave you with too many mysteries as there are sufficient explanations by the end. It was a very touching story, and I will look forward to reading more by this author.

Lost Souls Under A Full Moon is an excellent book, I went into it not really sure what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the anthology of each person all being connected back to the go between in some way, and the life lessons each person learnt on their journey. A lot of the stories felt very cathartic and positive for the character it was about, as if they had learned a great deal by seeing a loved one for the last time.
I would definitely recommend this if you like subtle life lessons and anthology storylines.

I really enjoyed the concept of this book! I thought it was going to be very similar to Before The Coffee Gets Cold (which I loooove) but whereas it shares similar vibes, it is different. I enjoyed reading the stories and the healing vibes of the book but something is missing for me. Overall, it was a very nice read!

I loved Lonely Castle in The Mirror and I was excited to read another translated work by Tsujimura. Another emotional magical realism novel that fans of What You are Looking For is in The Library or Before The Coffee Gets Cold series are bound to enjoy. It’s full of a gentle tone and message that leads you slowly and simply in and guides you lovingly through the emotional content.

I loved all the stories within and the writing. The characters are all beautifully crafted and make perfect sense to the story. I particularly liked the go-between Ayumi and how he worked within the story. If you enjoy emotive and thought provoking works that are written beautifully then this is for you.

As always thank you to Random House for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

This book is exactly what I envisioned when I say that I need something to break my heart and put it back together again. Every story, though short, is packed with emotion and leaves you feeling hopeful.

I'd absolutely read more from this author in the future and thoroughly enjoyed this bittersweet escapism!

This was an interesting and emotional fabulist story. In the vein of other Japanese magical realism books like Before The Coffee Gets Cold or What You Are Looking For Is In The Library, it follows loosely interconnected characters on their journeys with grief and other big emotions. I loved that this book was not as heavy-handed with its messages as the other titles I mentioned. It is a very quiet and calm book that leaves a lot of interpretation to be done by the reader. I enjoyed some of the stories more than others, but I was mainly interested in the character of Ayumi, who is the go-between.
(Thank you to NetGalley, Mizuki Tsujimura and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)

This is such a beautifully simple book that packs an emotive punch and will fill your heart with such joy and hope - a must read to remedy the troubles of today's world.

This was such a beautiful yet emotional story that honestly blew me away. This book deals heavily with grief, so please be aware before going into this one. This book ripped my heart back with every story and also gently put it back with care and love. To say this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster is an understatement. I felt so much reading this book, and it is one I will never forget.

Grief is something I have experienced from a young age, so this book hit incredibly hard for me. It is definitely a very thought-provoking story, especially when it comes to the Go-Between, which is a service that allows you to request a meeting with someone deceased of your choice. This can only occur once in a lifetime, and the deceased must accept in order for the meeting to happen.

In this story, we follow five people, and honestly, all these stories left me feeling emotional. While their stories are short, you really get to know these characters and what leads them to reach out to the Go-Between. Their stories are easy to read and are really well paced and amazingly written. I also really liked that we got to learn more about the Go-Between and how it truly works, which for me was fascinating.

I was so happy to hear that there is going to be another book as I could honestly read so many more stories. I also now need to pick up Tsujimura's first book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an absolutely touching novel. The novel is about people who want to speak with someone who has died. The novel is divided into five sections, and we follow characters as they want the medium to contact the person who has left them through death. As someone who has lost several people recently, I was moved by the novel. The novel spoke to me on that level, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go on that kind of emotional journey.