This was a beautifully written book. It's good for anyone who likes short stories, because that's how it reads more than a linear novel. I love how it showed that grief is ugly and raw and angry and never ending, through the structure of the story. It jumped a lot over many years, but they all seemed connected somehow, slowly revealing Kyoko has grown and changed, but grief and anger are still always there. I loved seeing her as a mother and the contrast with her own mother figures. I also loved loved her banter and relationship with her mother in law, who added a lot of humor to this book. It was tough, but not depressing, more like a slideshow of memories and the emotions tied to them.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was fabulous!