When God Says No, by Reina Sasaki. Five Stars.
Book Review, by Mihai Brinas.
'When God Says No' is the story of two characters, Rie and Ryoka, who have become emotionally dependent on each other.
Although at first, you think Ryoka is the one who brings Rie ashore, later you realize that they are both about to drown because they are pulled down by the secrets of their past. They only escape by supporting each other.
Later, the friendship is ready to turn into something else.
“Until that night, I had never known what girls could do for one another when their feelings transformed beyond friendship.
“We are friends,” she said, “let’s not ruin that, deal?”
Rie is a complex character. Rie's inner uneasiness is like the sea in a storm, which fascinates and frightens her at the same time. Rie is drawn into the seawater, the waves erase her tracks from the beach, and she seems to find no way back.
"the sea ablaze like William Blake's illustration of hell. I paused over the compacted sands when the calm tide washed up toward my feet, wiping away my footprints"
"The image of the beach came to me, its water, and the roaring waves, the place where I tried to disappear"
Loneliness, isolation, self-doubt, refusal to have friends, are the clear signs that led her to hell. From there she was taken out by Miss Himura and Ryoka.
It is the Bible that tells Rie something about loneliness.
"I reread it over and over until pain began to throb in my chest. The pain transformed into a fear that I had never known existed within me.
The fear of being alone. "
Rie loves and respects the Bible and the church, knows and understands Confucius, so from all the struggles that take place in her, Rie chooses life, thus proving that she is wise.
In Reina Sasaki's work, there is a connection between the Bible, Confucius, and the essential characters. This connection is wisdom.
Bible Proverbs
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you. "
Confucius
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
Well-defined characters are placed with talent in a story created with intelligence and sensitivity using a personal style.
A book I will remember with pleasure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0973LQXFQ
