Safe Return Doubtful

translated from the Japanese by Haydn Trowell

In his Afterword Yoshida explains how he had plans and ideas for ten books, all set in Tokyo at night, and connected, or following from the previous. He decided to write them as linked short stories and the result is a very enjoyable reading experience. A taxi driver, Matsui, is common to all the stories, his passengers bringing their distinct voices, from Mitsuki who works in a prop warehouse for a film company and is sent in search of obscure objects, to a former TV magician turned detective, a worker in a funeral home who moonlights disposing of people’s unwanted telephones.

Yoshida captures the glamour of nocturnal life beautifully. Set over several nights, the action takes place between 1 and 4 in the morning, when most of the population will be in their beds, but a city like Tokyo, never sleeps.

It puts me in mind of the wonderful film, Perfect Days from 2023, in that it portrays the charm of the interactions of normal people just going about their business.

It’s easy to read and a pleasant and comforting, yet very different look into life in the capital.