Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks (February 11, 2003), Paperback: 416 pages, ISBN-10: 0812966929, ISBN-13: 978-0812966923

Eiji Miyake has never met his father, but he is on a journey to find him. The desire to find and meet his father is what drives him to take action, when in reality this aspiration is just a side quest. What he really wants to find is the meaning of life.

Number9Dream is the second novel written by David Mitchell.  The story takes place in Japan, it is a drama/coming of age tale told in a first person narrative by the main protagonist, nineteen year old Eiji Miyake.

Eiji grows through his trials and tribulations. He experiences life through his dreams, his imagination, video games and the people around him. But as the tale unfolds, it is difficult at times, to differentiate which of these experiences are really happening. While the task of searching for his father both terrifies and enthrals him, it also seems to be continually out of reach.  Eiji is likeable and we care about him immediately, he is an interesting yet damaged character. There is a fair bit of humour throughout this novel and there are also some pretty gruesome parts.

Number9Dream is a standalone story which is weaved together in a unique fashion. It has stories within stories and includes his sister’s journey, which is tragic. However, I did not really understand the part about “goatwriter”, it does not seem to add anything. Despite this, it was a good read.

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To Purchase: “Number9Dream” from Amazon, click here or on picture above