(Translated by Eric Selland)
If you had to erase one thing from the world to live an extra day, what would it be? This is the reality of the novel’s narrator as he’s faced with the opportunity to live just a little bit longer.
The narrator, who works as a postman and lives with his cat Cabbage, is suddenly confronted by his body-double wearing a Hawaiian shirt, only it’s not him – it’s the Devil (with a penchant for outlandish clothing). The Devil, as he explains, assumes the form of the person to whom he’s offering a life line: completely erase one thing from the world in exchange for an extra day on Earth.
The novel is sweet, irreverent, and moving as the narrator struggles with an estranged family, lost loves, and whether quality or quantity defines a life well lived. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the humor blended in with the sensitive and difficult story matter, providing enough wit to lighten the mood but with ample amounts of gentleness and sincerity.
I listened to the audiobook and chose it primarily because the title intrigued me. I was a bit caught off guard by how much I enjoyed the book and how quickly I became engrossed in the narrator’s life, one that looks starkly different from my own. The book is short and I listened to it over a couple of days, but the length just goes to show how small yet mighty novels can be. The book and its message has stuck with me even weeks after having read it, and I hope you’ll also give this cheeky yet remarkably tender novel a read.
Personal rating: 7.5/10
Recommend? Yes
Re-read? Maybe
Time: 1:56