The Phone Box at the Edge of the World (Hardback)
Laura Imai Messina (author), Lucy Rand (translator)Published: 25/06/2020
Immensely moving and emotionally powerful, Messina’s novel of hope and consolation in the face of unimaginable loss is possessed of a rare empathetic pull. Perfect for fans of The Beekeeper of Aleppo, The Phone Box on the Edge of the World is a heartbreaking work of contemporary fiction.
Exclusive Edition. Contains an extra essay called, Journey to the Wind Phone.
We all have something to tell those we have lost . . .
When Yui loses her mother and daughter in the tsunami, she wonders how she will ever carry on. Yet, in the face of this unthinkable loss, life must somehow continue. Then one day she hears about a man who has an old disused telephone box in his garden. There, those who have lost loved ones find the strength to speak to them and begin to come to terms with their grief. As news of the phone box spreads, people will travel to it from miles around. Soon Yui will make her own pilgrimage to the phone box, too. But once there she cannot bring herself to speak into the receiver. Then she finds Takeshi, a bereaved husband whose own daughter has stopped talking in the wake of their loss.
What happens next will warm your heart, even when it feels as though it is breaking. For when you've lost everything - what can you find?
Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd
ISBN: 9781786580399
Number of pages: 416
Weight: 355 g
Dimensions: 223 x 140 x 40 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'This beautiful novel tells a story of universal loss and the power of love. It will remain engraved in my heart and mind forever. During these difficult times we face, it addresses questions that we might all have - how to connect with those we have loved and lost and how to allow ourselves to live and to love again. Beautifully written, sensitive and evocative, it paints a picture of an inner and outer world that is infused with both tragedy and hope. It moved me to tears and made me want to speak my own secret thoughts in the phone box at the edge of the world. Absolutely breathtaking and stunning.' - Christy Lefteri
'A message of hope for anyone who is lost, frightened or grieving. Beautiful.' - Clare Mackintosh
'Incredibly moving. It will break your heart and soothe your soul.' - Stacey Halls
'Before I got started, I already loved the phone box at the edge of the world. But then I loved everything else. Especially the beautiful prose, powerful but held back, like grief. And the characters - emerging blinking from their tragedies, hurt and hesitant - but ultimately hopeful. It was a joy to read. Mesmerising!' - Joanna Glen, author of The Other Half of Augusta Hope
You may also be interested in...
“Subtle in her Strength, Lui's Story Touched Me Deeply.”
When I heard about the story this novel is based on I knew it would be special.
What I wasn't expecting, reading this in my first week of staying at home, was the sense of calm and lightness of being this book...
More
“A tale of light and shade”
I started reading this just as lockdown came into play so reading it has been coloured somewhat by the changes and challenges we are facing in the world today. It's also why I have been slow to read it, lingering... More
“An Emotional Read”
You and Takeshi have lost ,loved ones. Yuki has lost her daughter, Takeshi has lost his wife. They meet on their journey to the phone box and a bond is firmly made between them. They are travelling to the wind phone,... More
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?