Japan 1957: Naoko Nakamura is pressured by her family to marry their choice so the union will strengthen their position. However, Naoko is in love with an American sailor, Jimmy Kovač, who she calls Hajime, and intends to marry him. When her father learns of this, he is very upset. Naoko follows her heart and marries Jimmy, and as they marry she is already expecting a baby. When Naoko returns home to see her mother while Jimmy is away at sea, she learns that her mother has died. Naoko’s grandmother (with her father’s blessing) sends her to a home for unwed mothers of what they refer to as mongrels (half Caucasian/half Japanese children). Throughout the book you know that Naoko loves Jimmy and she loves her baby – little bird.
USA Present day: Tori Kovač cares for her dying father, and finds a letter containing a shocking revelation: she has a sibling in Japan. Tori has always been convinced her mother was her father’s great love – and now she learns about a mysterious Japanese woman called Cricket. After her father passes away, she sells his car and travels to Japan to learn about her father’s past in Japan, and will she find her sibling?
This is one of my all time favourite books. The storytelling is gorgeous and I found myself back in Japan while reading. I’ve been there twice… and adore the country: I’m a Nipponophile.
Throughout the book I was initially wondering whether Tori was the half-Japanese child (reason: bird in Japanese is tori – 鳥), but it’s made clear she’s Caucasian.
I’ve read this book 3 times now, and find something new in it every time.
Read for the A Librarian and her Books Reading Challenge 2026
Prompt J: Book set in Japan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️