I am thoroughly impressed with Yōko Ogawa’s sophisticated characterization skills. Just like in Ukochane równanie profesora, the author creates characters just as complicated, multidimensional and sensitive.
The story begins with the death of an elderly man who, in his last moments, was holding a bird cage in his hands. Kotori is a story about the modest and intimate life of this man and his older brother who communicates using his own language, understandable only to his younger brother. The older brother is a lover of little birds (in Japanese: kotori). He can copy their singing, he loves to watch them in the garden and in the garden of the nearby orphanage. Birds create a line of communication between the brothers and are the only thing that connects them with the outside world.
I am sure that this story will appeal to those who like the atmosphere of Ukochane równanie profesora (Hakase no Aishita Sūshiki). This book will help you to fully appreciate the beauty of the little things in our daily life.
