Harry V. Keefe '39 Library Media Center, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

A novel of bittersweet acceptance

Three Days of Happiness by Sugaru Miaki,  illustrated by Shoichi Taguchi – 5/5 stars

Published in 2013, ASCII Media Works

Genre: Science Fiction, Tragedy 

Reviewer: Alan H. , class II

Do you like romance novels? Did you cry when you watched Your Lie in April? Angel Beats? Are you just a normal person who watches anime with no emotions? Whether your answer is yes or no to any of these questions, I highly recommend this novel!

Three Days of Happiness follows the story of Kusonoki, a man whose day-to day-life is so miserable that he has nothing else to live for. That changes when he discovers a place where he can sell his lifespan for money. After some deciding, he is left with only thirty days to live, alongside a considerably large budget. With his days numbered, Kusonoki is determined to rectify all his past guilt and regrets. Along the way, he is to be supervised by a girl named Miyagi, who bears the weight of forty years of servitude from her dead mother. Together, they explore what it means to live, knowing that their lives are slowly fading away. 

This novel holds a special place in my heart. Its realistic themes of depression and existence continue to plague you as you read further in. The catalyst of knowing that one’s life is going to end at a known point in time gives a new perspective and appreciation for living, especially through the lens of two characters suffering. By the end of your journey, you will feel a sort of bittersweet acceptance for what happens. This novel is phenomenal in both its plot and writing, especially considering it is a work translated from Japanese to English.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a more mature and realistic take on life, with a small hint of fiction added to spice things up. I also recommend that you read the novel before reading its respective manga adaptation to truly take in the story it was originally written.