Sugaru MiakiThree Days of Happiness

was for a gift, seems nice

I am rarely attracted to modern literature because of its jargon, lack of values, and incomprehensible messages. The authors of the newest works often forget what the book is for and what message it should carry to society. It is our teacher, guide, advisor... We can go on and on. When you open a volume of classic foreign literature and read it, you will see there what modern works lack... Today I want to tell you about this wonderful book. The beginning of the novel takes place when the main character decides to sell his life. Then we get to watch as Kusunoki spends the last 3 months of his life. There is nothing unusual about the plot. It's already been written about, but I want to draw your attention to the way Sugaru Miaki presents the story. He doesn't focus much on the very process of selling life, time, and health, only mentioning them as an important part of the beginning of the development of the story. Also the love line, I think is underdeveloped, but it plays a secondary role in this work, so it does not matter. As the author himself wrote this book is not about love. It is about the lives of losers like Kusunoki and how the fate of such people changes under the influence of various circumstances. It is an amazing book that makes us think about life, about who we really are, whether we are moving in the right direction, whether we have chosen the right profession to pursue our dreams and whether we have a true purpose. Kusunoki lived as a hermit with no friends. By the age of 20, he had lost his ability to learn and simply drifted with the current. He worked a crappy job, earning a pittance. One day, selling his books at a used bookstore, he received an offer to sell his life. Our hero has doubts, but decides to take this step. Each of his actions in the aftermath had its resonance in the future. He wrote his own destiny, gradually understanding life itself and its charms, which he had not noticed before. Interestingly, there is nothing superfluous in this book. Every encounter, every action carried meaning and gradually changed Kusunoki. I also liked some of the quotes present in the text. "Striving to win condemns you to defeat. Try to admit defeat and find some good in it - you'll save yourself from disappointment." Many people won't understand the true meaning of the book at first. It should be reread and it is after re-reading you will look at the work with different eyes. I recommend it for reading.

The book is only 170 pages long, but because of it's subject on the value of life, death and many other topics, it took a while for myself to finish it. I would read through a chapter, book mark it, then stop and reflect on what it meant. It's a sad, harsh, and quite a real story that's being told. Yet it's also happy, fun and exciting at times. All of the characters, situations, and even the dialog felt natural and very real. Honestly, it's one of the best books about life I have ever read. I hope OnYen translates more of Sugaru Miaki's books into English.

Actual masterpiece. This novel mustered up emotions out of a heart that I had long thought dead. I'm not in a good place right now and I thought this novel would just be more angst to fill my hunger. I was wrong. This actually left me more satisfied than I had been in years.

This book is perfect, couldn’t expect more, amazing ending and amazing story, and well written. I lost my copy not too long ago so I’m buying another one

The book looks great and it came in good condition but I am a little confused. The description said there were 224 pages but there’s only 170 pages, someone please explain to me 😭 despite that, I’m excited to read the book even though it’s for summer reading.I finished the book in about 2 weeks (I forgot) but the book made me so emotional and really made me think. I loved it, it was such a great story and I definitely recommend it.

A unique story with writing that keeps you hooked. All I would say to another who is considering this book is to get it. It's beautiful.

The phrase "life-changing" gets thrown around way too much, but as an over-20-something in a not-terribly-dissimilar situation, who has read probably hundreds of books in the span of my life, and whose bookshelves are all overflowing, I'd like to stress that this isn't melodrama on my part, at least not purely. I encourage anyone who thinks that selling their life would be an appealing option for them to read this book, especially young people who are in not-dissimilar situations like the protagonist. I don't want to give too much away, but every scene, every interaction held meaning - every single one. The book doesn't pull any punches, I'll tell you that. Like another review said, I feel some people may need to read it at least one more time to fully grasp this book's message. I'm not sure what else to say. I'm very thankful I got the chance to read this book.