(tent) Is This All Right with You?

Even the smallest questions deserve to be asked. Housewife Natsuki finds herself unexpectedly invited to a peculiar women’s gathering—where participants place their daily doubts and social quirks, no matter how minor, onto a metaphorical cutting board and talk them through. Perplexed by the odd rituals of the group, Natsuki is at first unsure what to make of it all. But just as she begins to settle in, everyday life begins to unravel: unpredictable incidents, emotional tremors, and shifting relationships rock her world. Can Natsuki reclaim her peace amidst it all? From marital tension to in-law dynamics, from workplace awkwardness to mother-daughter misfires, this sharply comic yet subtly profound novel is a perfect read for anyone who has ever felt slightly out of step with the people around them. A delightfully offbeat take on “girls’ talk,” infused with the wit, empathy, and quiet magic that defines Hiromi Kawakami’s fiction.