I read a LOT. I like to think that I know a bit about books, and how to tell if they’re well-written or not, fancying myself an author, too. One of the first things “they” tell you when you start writing is “Show, don’t tell.” That rule has held true until now. For the first time I’ve read a book where the author does a lot of “telling” of facts (“Her hair was black and straight and worn in a ponytail tied with a red ribbon”) but through those facts she is actually SHOWING the story. This is Otsuka’s debut novel, but I do not recommend other new novelists attempt to replicate this. DO NOT TRY THIS TRICK AT HOME, young authors! laughs I was amazed at how beautifully this book turned out, despite how simple it appears on the surface. It’s a real triumph, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it!