Mina's Matchbox

In the evocative novel Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, twelve-year-old Tomoko travels from Tokyo to stay with her affluent aunt’s family in coastal Ashiya during the spring of 1972. As she becomes enmeshed in the family's complexities, including her intriguing cousin Mina and the seemingly glamorous yet troubled lives of her relatives, Tomoko uncovers buried secrets that reveal the fragility behind their elegant façade. Rich with themes of youth, enchantment, and hidden sorrow, this introspective story offers a poignant glimpse into a family's hidden struggles.