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The Passengers on the Hankyu Line
Welcome aboard the Hankyu Line train!
Come along on a heartwarming, funny, and perfectly cozy voyage with the charming and relatable passengers—including one dashing dachshund—whose lives intersect and affect each other on one of Japan’s most romantic railway lines from international bestselling author Hiro Arikawa.
Between the two beautiful towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a stunning mountainous area of Japan, rattles the Hankyu Line train. Passengers step on and off, lost in thought, contemplating the tiny knots of their existence. On the outward journey, we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters, and on the return journey six months later, we watch them find resolutions.
A young man meets the young woman who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can check it out himself, a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad, a university student heads home after class, a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend, and an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.
With stories that crisscross like the railway lines, the Hankyu train trundles on, propelling the lives and loves of its passengers ever forward.
Come along on a heartwarming, funny, and perfectly cozy voyage with the charming and relatable passengers—including one dashing dachshund—whose lives intersect and affect each other on one of Japan’s most romantic railway lines from international bestselling author Hiro Arikawa.
Between the two beautiful towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a stunning mountainous area of Japan, rattles the Hankyu Line train. Passengers step on and off, lost in thought, contemplating the tiny knots of their existence. On the outward journey, we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters, and on the return journey six months later, we watch them find resolutions.
A young man meets the young woman who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can check it out himself, a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad, a university student heads home after class, a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend, and an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.
With stories that crisscross like the railway lines, the Hankyu train trundles on, propelling the lives and loves of its passengers ever forward.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 22, 2008
408 people are currently reading
17553 people want to read
About the author
Hiro Arikawa
67 books1,436 followersHiro Arikawa won the tenth annual Dengeki Novel Prize for new writers for Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003, and the book was published the following year. It was praised for its love story between a heroine and hero divided by age and social status, and for its depiction of military structures. Although she is a light novelist, her books from her second work onwards have been published as hardbacks alongside more literary works with Arikawa receiving special treatment in this respect from her publisher, MediaWorks. Shio no Machi was also later published in hardback. Her 2006 light novel Toshokan Sensō (The Library War) was named as Hon no Zasshi's number one for entertainment for the first half of 2006, and came fifth in the Honya Taishō for that year, competing against ordinary novels.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 944 reviews
June 13, 2025
I read her internationally bestselling book, "The Travelling Cat Chronicles."
"The Passengers on the Hankyu Line" is a warm, quiet, and heartwarming read. 💕
It captures the small but meaningful moments of everyday people.
The plot is simple but emotionally rich.
Multiple characters appear, each with their own short story.
The characters are loosely interconnected, often through chance encounters on the train.
The story explores themes of personal growth, healing, kindness, and serendipity.
The writing is simple, clear, and easy to read. 😍
It shows how everyday kindness can have a big impact.
It was adapted into a Japanese film in 2011, titled Hankyu Railways: A 15-Minute Miracle. I want to watch this movie. 📽🎥🎬🤩
"The Passengers on the Hankyu Line" is a warm, quiet, and heartwarming read. 💕
It captures the small but meaningful moments of everyday people.
The plot is simple but emotionally rich.
Multiple characters appear, each with their own short story.
The characters are loosely interconnected, often through chance encounters on the train.
The story explores themes of personal growth, healing, kindness, and serendipity.
The writing is simple, clear, and easy to read. 😍
It shows how everyday kindness can have a big impact.
It was adapted into a Japanese film in 2011, titled Hankyu Railways: A 15-Minute Miracle. I want to watch this movie. 📽🎥🎬🤩
August 23, 2025
oh to be on a heartwarming cozy train journey with a cast of charming characters!
the way the stories of these commuters layered and entwined was really satisfying, but the problems and solutions became kind of flat and silly partway through.
it was too short and sweet of a book, and the various happily ever afters of the train-riders felt, with a couple exceptions, pretty monotonous after a while.
i'd still hitch a ride on the train though.
bottom line: sweet but not much else.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
the way the stories of these commuters layered and entwined was really satisfying, but the problems and solutions became kind of flat and silly partway through.
it was too short and sweet of a book, and the various happily ever afters of the train-riders felt, with a couple exceptions, pretty monotonous after a while.
i'd still hitch a ride on the train though.
bottom line: sweet but not much else.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
July 5, 2025
Reading this book makes me miss Japan so much and I was just there twice in the last five months (the obsession). It’s bringing back all these memories of riding the Hankyu line, watching the scenery blur past on the way to Kyoto and Kobe and I just love this book to pieces.
As someone who’s only ridden the Hankyu train a handful of times, I could still vividly picture it—so stylish, with such elegant passengers. For a while, reading this made me feel like I was one of them. The stories moved along at a perfect pace yet still gave me a satisfying glimpse of the characters’ futures. They are so heartwarming, and the love in it feels so real.
Each Hankyu train station gets its own chapter, spiraling together fleeting encounters between passengers who happen to share the same train where moments so meaningful they become life-changing experiences. As the narrative loops back on itself with each stop, these seemingly random connections resolve into beautifully intertwined stories, revealing how brief meetings can ripple through lives in profound ways.
Sometimes, it's as simple as overhearing a conversation that lifts your spirits, or finding unexpected courage in a stranger’s words. There’s a quiet magic in offering kindness to someone right in front of you, someone whose name you may never know, someone who might be silently hurting, while still keeping the moment gentle and respectful.
To take a step back and reassess, this book is actually more romantic that I thought (just my cup of tea). A momentary relationship between people can change you. In today's world, where we try not to get involved with other people on the train, I feel the resilience and warmth of these characters. If you also look into the year this book was originally published, it hails from 2008; a pre-smartphone era when connections sparked in libraries or street encounters, making every meeting feel unexpectedly precious.
On a side note, there is a couple in this story that makes me uncomfortable due to the age gap; specifically, the fact that the girl is about to end high school while the man is an adult. I am not trying to excuse this dynamic but given the time period when the work was published, I can understand how the author might not have been aware of how problematic such a relationship is. At the time, society was less attuned to the predatory implications of an adult pursuing a teenager, and I can see that the author likely wrote it without malice, simply aiming to tell a story about mere human connections and how strangers can leave a mark on our lives. After all, ignorance is universal until we are educated, and that applies to the creators as much as readers.
Breezy yet profound, this is the perfect book for when you want something uplifting but substantial. Each story unfolds with such effortless rhythm that you'll find yourself finishing it in one sitting—perhaps on a cozy weekend morning. What lingers is its quiet wisdom: someone's unhappiness can turn into happiness with someone's kindness. Nosiness isn't bad and you may just unintentionally speak to someone who is in need as you ride on the train.
Having now experienced Arikawa's storytelling magic for the first time, I can say with certainty: this won't be my last journey into her literary world.
As someone who’s only ridden the Hankyu train a handful of times, I could still vividly picture it—so stylish, with such elegant passengers. For a while, reading this made me feel like I was one of them. The stories moved along at a perfect pace yet still gave me a satisfying glimpse of the characters’ futures. They are so heartwarming, and the love in it feels so real.
"Come to think of it, I owe a certain debt of gratitude to strangers"
Each Hankyu train station gets its own chapter, spiraling together fleeting encounters between passengers who happen to share the same train where moments so meaningful they become life-changing experiences. As the narrative loops back on itself with each stop, these seemingly random connections resolve into beautifully intertwined stories, revealing how brief meetings can ripple through lives in profound ways.
Sometimes, it's as simple as overhearing a conversation that lifts your spirits, or finding unexpected courage in a stranger’s words. There’s a quiet magic in offering kindness to someone right in front of you, someone whose name you may never know, someone who might be silently hurting, while still keeping the moment gentle and respectful.
To take a step back and reassess, this book is actually more romantic that I thought (just my cup of tea). A momentary relationship between people can change you. In today's world, where we try not to get involved with other people on the train, I feel the resilience and warmth of these characters. If you also look into the year this book was originally published, it hails from 2008; a pre-smartphone era when connections sparked in libraries or street encounters, making every meeting feel unexpectedly precious.
On a side note, there is a couple in this story that makes me uncomfortable due to the age gap; specifically, the fact that the girl is about to end high school while the man is an adult. I am not trying to excuse this dynamic but given the time period when the work was published, I can understand how the author might not have been aware of how problematic such a relationship is. At the time, society was less attuned to the predatory implications of an adult pursuing a teenager, and I can see that the author likely wrote it without malice, simply aiming to tell a story about mere human connections and how strangers can leave a mark on our lives. After all, ignorance is universal until we are educated, and that applies to the creators as much as readers.
Breezy yet profound, this is the perfect book for when you want something uplifting but substantial. Each story unfolds with such effortless rhythm that you'll find yourself finishing it in one sitting—perhaps on a cozy weekend morning. What lingers is its quiet wisdom: someone's unhappiness can turn into happiness with someone's kindness. Nosiness isn't bad and you may just unintentionally speak to someone who is in need as you ride on the train.
Having now experienced Arikawa's storytelling magic for the first time, I can say with certainty: this won't be my last journey into her literary world.
June 3, 2025
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
A large private railway line runs between the towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a lovely, mountainous area of Japan. It’s called the Hankyu Line train, and it is known for its signature maroon cars, and distinctive retro interiors. It’s especially popular among railway buffs, and younger women.
This book is a series of vignettes about several passengers whose lives intersect as they step on and off of this train. 🚂
On the outward journey, we are introduced to five characters, as their fellow travelers speculate about what they THINK they are witnessing while onboard-and we learn about what is actually transpiring.
On the return journey SIX MONTHS later, we learn the resolutions to their stories.
I enjoyed a glimpse into the Japanese culture, learning about what sets it apart from our part of the World, and seeing that some things seem to be the same for all human beings-no matter how far apart we may live!
Charming and thought provoking, this quick commute can be read in one sitting.
A buddy read with MarilynW! Be sure to watch for her delightful review!
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Berkley for the invitation to read this title, provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
A large private railway line runs between the towns of Takarazuka and Nishinomiya, in a lovely, mountainous area of Japan. It’s called the Hankyu Line train, and it is known for its signature maroon cars, and distinctive retro interiors. It’s especially popular among railway buffs, and younger women.
This book is a series of vignettes about several passengers whose lives intersect as they step on and off of this train. 🚂
On the outward journey, we are introduced to five characters, as their fellow travelers speculate about what they THINK they are witnessing while onboard-and we learn about what is actually transpiring.
On the return journey SIX MONTHS later, we learn the resolutions to their stories.
I enjoyed a glimpse into the Japanese culture, learning about what sets it apart from our part of the World, and seeing that some things seem to be the same for all human beings-no matter how far apart we may live!
Charming and thought provoking, this quick commute can be read in one sitting.
A buddy read with MarilynW! Be sure to watch for her delightful review!
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank You to Berkley for the invitation to read this title, provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
July 16, 2025
It was the delightful cover which pulled me in when I saw this book at the library. A story about a train in Japan with cherry blossom and a dog. What else do you need? The answer is lots of interesting characters travelling on that train whose lives intersect and are changed by their accidental meetings.
I loved every word of this book and read all 236 pages in one sitting. How to put it down when each story wove into the next until the book finished by circling back to the start. Beautifully written, conjuring up the feel of Japan, its people and its culture. Five stars.
I loved every word of this book and read all 236 pages in one sitting. How to put it down when each story wove into the next until the book finished by circling back to the start. Beautifully written, conjuring up the feel of Japan, its people and its culture. Five stars.
July 29, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
“All manner of people from every walk of life-solo passengers, friends, couples, families, work colleagues-traverse the concourse at a brisk pace.
But as they cross paths, the contents of each traveler's heart are a mystery known only to themselves.” Hiro Arikawa
The author’s quote at the beginning of the book made me think of the hundreds if not thousands of people we encounter in our lifetimes, never really knowing why some look sad, why some are smiling or why some are scowling. We never can know what is going on in their heart, but sometimes we connect. This short novel is about chance encounters of strangers affecting each other in meaningful ways with a simple connection, sometimes by listening to them talk with others, other times striking up a conversation with each while riding a train .
Two people recognize each other on the train because they both frequent the library and there’s a spark . A woman wearing a white dress attends the wedding of her former fiancé and the woman who stole him away is on the train looking bitter and sad . A Grandmother with her grandaughter thinking about getting a dog and giving advice to the woman in white. There’s a couple in an abusive relationship, high school girls and college students . These people from different walks of life see each other.
This reminded me of a book I read quite some time ago, but has stayed with me. One Amazing Thing is a story where strangers connect in a setting of a shared circumstance that keeps them together for a time. This book is a seemingly light read, but with some seriousness as we witness the individual, ordinary struggles of these characters in their every day lives, a universal theme in this Japanese story. Thankfully, the author provided a list of characters in the beginning as I definitely would have found it would hard to keep track of who was who. An entertaining and sweet story in many ways.
I received a copy of this book from Berkeley through NetGalley.
“All manner of people from every walk of life-solo passengers, friends, couples, families, work colleagues-traverse the concourse at a brisk pace.
But as they cross paths, the contents of each traveler's heart are a mystery known only to themselves.” Hiro Arikawa
The author’s quote at the beginning of the book made me think of the hundreds if not thousands of people we encounter in our lifetimes, never really knowing why some look sad, why some are smiling or why some are scowling. We never can know what is going on in their heart, but sometimes we connect. This short novel is about chance encounters of strangers affecting each other in meaningful ways with a simple connection, sometimes by listening to them talk with others, other times striking up a conversation with each while riding a train .
Two people recognize each other on the train because they both frequent the library and there’s a spark . A woman wearing a white dress attends the wedding of her former fiancé and the woman who stole him away is on the train looking bitter and sad . A Grandmother with her grandaughter thinking about getting a dog and giving advice to the woman in white. There’s a couple in an abusive relationship, high school girls and college students . These people from different walks of life see each other.
This reminded me of a book I read quite some time ago, but has stayed with me. One Amazing Thing is a story where strangers connect in a setting of a shared circumstance that keeps them together for a time. This book is a seemingly light read, but with some seriousness as we witness the individual, ordinary struggles of these characters in their every day lives, a universal theme in this Japanese story. Thankfully, the author provided a list of characters in the beginning as I definitely would have found it would hard to keep track of who was who. An entertaining and sweet story in many ways.
I received a copy of this book from Berkeley through NetGalley.
April 9, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️
A slice of life story, without the life. I’m sure a lot got lost in translation, but this felt soulless. Or maybe I’m the soulless one, incapable of receiving a soulful story. Who knows?
I appreciated the premise, and I looked forward to reading a tale of mishmashed, interwoven lives being connected through the happenstance of pedestrian routine. But the way these lives were brought together felt inconceivable at best, and imposed at worst.
One of the biggest challenges with a vignette centered novella is breathing life into characters without much room to build back story. That lack of character depth pulled me out of the story, and made me question every character’s motivations, and made every interaction feel improbable.
This is why I am often wary of reading translated books because I am certain that the translation undermines the author’s true magic. The final product here fell short for me.
A slice of life story, without the life. I’m sure a lot got lost in translation, but this felt soulless. Or maybe I’m the soulless one, incapable of receiving a soulful story. Who knows?
I appreciated the premise, and I looked forward to reading a tale of mishmashed, interwoven lives being connected through the happenstance of pedestrian routine. But the way these lives were brought together felt inconceivable at best, and imposed at worst.
One of the biggest challenges with a vignette centered novella is breathing life into characters without much room to build back story. That lack of character depth pulled me out of the story, and made me question every character’s motivations, and made every interaction feel improbable.
This is why I am often wary of reading translated books because I am certain that the translation undermines the author’s true magic. The final product here fell short for me.
October 13, 2023
Une lecture plaisante, apaisante, qui aura prolongé mon voyage au Japon.
C’est toujours un plaisir de se plonger dans la littérature Japonaise, et découvrir le quotidien très simple de Japonais via une ligne de train était très plaisant.
Néanmoins, ma lecture m’aura peu marqué.
C’est toujours un plaisir de se plonger dans la littérature Japonaise, et découvrir le quotidien très simple de Japonais via une ligne de train était très plaisant.
Néanmoins, ma lecture m’aura peu marqué.
August 25, 2022
สนุกกกก ตลกกกก ฟีลกู๊ดสุดๆ
200 หน้านิดๆ ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยเรื่องราวของคนที่สวนกันไปมาบนรถไฟสายฮังคิว คนเหล่านี้คือใครก็ไม่รู้เลย แต่ว่าพอได้รู้เรื่องราวของพวกเขาแล้วมันรู้สึกเอาใจช่วยสุดตัวจริงๆ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นคู่คนรักหนังสือ สองยายหลาน (เกือบ)เจ้าสาว คู่รักมหาลัย คู่รักต่างวัย คุณยายในแก๊งมนุษย์ป้า
ส่วนตัวเราว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้มันจริงดี กล่าวคือไม่ประดิดประดอย (ประดิดประดอยเขียนแบบนี้) เหมือนหนังสือแปลญี่ปุ่นส่วนใหญ่ที่อาจจะสวยๆ ละมุนๆ คิดมาดีแล้ว (well thought out)
อย่าง dialogue ตอนที่(เกือบ)เจ้าสาวชี้หน้าด่าเจ้าบ่าวกับชู้รักในคาเฟ่ เราว่ามันเป็นธรรมชาติดีอ่ะ และอีกอย่างคือมันตลกมากกก เหมือนอ่านเรื่องย่อละครไทย 555
อีกอย่างที่ชอบมากๆๆๆ ในทุกตัวละครคือ character development (Fun fact: ไม่ว่าตัวละครจะ progress ไปในทางที่ดีขึ้นหรือเลวลง มันคือ character development ทั้งหมดถ้าเราเห็น progress) ทุกตัวละครมันทัชใจเราหมดเลยแฮะ ชอบ mindset ของผู้เขียนที่ไม่ได้ยึดติดกับ norm (เช่น ค��ณยายที่ไม่ได้ตามใจหลายแบบหมดหน้าตัก และสาวสตรองที่ด่ามนุษย์ป้าแบบออกเสียง) มันทำให้เรื่องราวมีชีวิต มัน lively มัน full of life ดีน่ะ
ความรู้สึกอีกอย่างที่ยิ้มตามตลอดคือ การเห็นจุดเริ่มต้นของความรัก การอ่านหนุ่มสาวจีบกันในเล่มนี้แม่งโคตรใจฟู ปกติเราจะ cringe ถ้าอ่านอะไรแบบนี้ แต่เล่มนี้คือแม่งน่ารักอ่ะ น่ารักจนอมยิ้มตาม ไม่รู้สึก awkward เลย
ส่วนเรื่องการวางพล���อต โอ้โห บ่ต้องพูดถึงจ้าสาวววว นักเขียนญี่ปุ่นเขาเก่งจริงๆ เนาะเรื่อง worldbuilding และการเชื่อมต่อ slice of life ของแต่ละตัวละคร (ชวนให้นึกถึงเพียงชั่วเวลากาแฟยังอุ่น) อ่านๆ ไปก็คือสนุกมาก enjoy มาก
เอาจริงๆ เราว่าไฮไลต์ของเล่มนี้คือการแปลนะ ต้องยกเครดิตให้ผู้แปลที่ bring the message across ได้ดีมากกกกเลย แล้วเลือกใช้คำเก่งม้ากกกก (เช่น ‘โดนตก’) เข้ากับบริบทและยุคสมัยมาก ส่วนตัวคิดว่าการแปลที่ดีคือแปลแบบนี้แหละ แปลแล้วคนอ่านเข้าใจว่าผู้เขียนต้องการจะสื่ออะไร ไม่ได้อยู่ที่สไตล์หรืออะไรหรอก แหะๆ
200 หน้านิดๆ ที่อัดแน่นไปด้วยเรื่องราวของคนที่สวนกันไปมาบนรถไฟสายฮังคิว คนเหล่านี้คือใครก็ไม่รู้เลย แต่ว่าพอได้รู้เรื่องราวของพวกเขาแล้วมันรู้สึกเอาใจช่วยสุดตัวจริงๆ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นคู่คนรักหนังสือ สองยายหลาน (เกือบ)เจ้าสาว คู่รักมหาลัย คู่รักต่างวัย คุณยายในแก๊งมนุษย์ป้า
ส่วนตัวเราว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้มันจริงดี กล่าวคือไม่ประดิดประดอย (ประดิดประดอยเขียนแบบนี้) เหมือนหนังสือแปลญี่ปุ่นส่วนใหญ่ที่อาจจะสวยๆ ละมุนๆ คิดมาดีแล้ว (well thought out)
อย่าง dialogue ตอนที่(เกือบ)เจ้าสาวชี้หน้าด่าเจ้าบ่าวกับชู้รักในคาเฟ่ เราว่ามันเป็นธรรมชาติดีอ่ะ และอีกอย่างคือมันตลกมากกก เหมือนอ่านเรื่องย่อละครไทย 555
อีกอย่างที่ชอบมากๆๆๆ ในทุกตัวละครคือ character development (Fun fact: ไม่ว่าตัวละครจะ progress ไปในทางที่ดีขึ้นหรือเลวลง มันคือ character development ทั้งหมดถ้าเราเห็น progress) ทุกตัวละครมันทัชใจเราหมดเลยแฮะ ชอบ mindset ของผู้เขียนที่ไม่ได้ยึดติดกับ norm (เช่น ค��ณยายที่ไม่ได้ตามใจหลายแบบหมดหน้าตัก และสาวสตรองที่ด่ามนุษย์ป้าแบบออกเสียง) มันทำให้เรื่องราวมีชีวิต มัน lively มัน full of life ดีน่ะ
ความรู้สึกอีกอย่างที่ยิ้มตามตลอดคือ การเห็นจุดเริ่มต้นของความรัก การอ่านหนุ่มสาวจีบกันในเล่มนี้แม่งโคตรใจฟู ปกติเราจะ cringe ถ้าอ่านอะไรแบบนี้ แต่เล่มนี้คือแม่งน่ารักอ่ะ น่ารักจนอมยิ้มตาม ไม่รู้สึก awkward เลย
ส่วนเรื่องการวางพล���อต โอ้โห บ่ต้องพูดถึงจ้าสาวววว นักเขียนญี่ปุ่นเขาเก่งจริงๆ เนาะเรื่อง worldbuilding และการเชื่อมต่อ slice of life ของแต่ละตัวละคร (ชวนให้นึกถึงเพียงชั่วเวลากาแฟยังอุ่น) อ่านๆ ไปก็คือสนุกมาก enjoy มาก
เอาจริงๆ เราว่าไฮไลต์ของเล่มนี้คือการแปลนะ ต้องยกเครดิตให้ผู้แปลที่ bring the message across ได้ดีมากกกกเลย แล้วเลือกใช้คำเก่งม้ากกกก (เช่น ‘โดนตก’) เข้ากับบริบทและยุคสมัยมาก ส่วนตัวคิดว่าการแปลที่ดีคือแปลแบบนี้แหละ แปลแล้วคนอ่านเข้าใจว่าผู้เขียนต้องการจะสื่ออะไร ไม่ได้อยู่ที่สไตล์หรืออะไรหรอก แหะๆ
January 13, 2022
”Les gens qui prennent le train seuls se composent en général une mine indifférente. Leur regard, qui va des publicités placées en hauteur au paysage à l’extérieur, erre en évitant sans cesse de croiser celui d’autrui. Ou alors ils passent leur temps à lire quelque chose, à écouter de la musique ou à fixer l’écran de leur téléphone.
Une personne seule qui n’agira pas ainsi et exprimera une émotion attirera l’attention.”
Une jolie lecture commune avec une personne que j’adore, Indi.
J’avais hâte de retrouver la plume d’Hiro Arikawa, après avoir adoré lire Les Mémoires d’Un Chat l’an dernier. Ce livre est à l’image de l’auteur une fois de plus : un récit doux qui dépeint un Japon idyllique, ou les cerisiers en fleur et les odeurs dans les rues parfumées parviennent naturellement à l’auteur. L’intrigue est posée : une ligne de train, des passagers dont les histoires vont se révéler et s’entremêler de façon humaine et passionnée. J’ai trouvé les personnages vraiment sympathiques et réalistes, même si quelques bribes de conversation m’ont paru un peu clichés sur les bords.
Je ne sais pas si cela relève du travail de traduction ou de la version originale mais j’ai trouvé certains passages assez répétitifs, par exemple quand deux personnages étaient témoins de la même scène et les deux procédaient donc à la décrire. Je dirais aussi que j’ai eu du mal à certains moments à savoir qui parlait dans les conversations. J’aurais aimé un peu plus d’indication.
Une belle découverte qui vient consolider mon avis sur l’auteur ! J’espère que ce livre sera traduit dans d’autres langues.
Une personne seule qui n’agira pas ainsi et exprimera une émotion attirera l’attention.”
Une jolie lecture commune avec une personne que j’adore, Indi.
J’avais hâte de retrouver la plume d’Hiro Arikawa, après avoir adoré lire Les Mémoires d’Un Chat l’an dernier. Ce livre est à l’image de l’auteur une fois de plus : un récit doux qui dépeint un Japon idyllique, ou les cerisiers en fleur et les odeurs dans les rues parfumées parviennent naturellement à l’auteur. L’intrigue est posée : une ligne de train, des passagers dont les histoires vont se révéler et s’entremêler de façon humaine et passionnée. J’ai trouvé les personnages vraiment sympathiques et réalistes, même si quelques bribes de conversation m’ont paru un peu clichés sur les bords.
Je ne sais pas si cela relève du travail de traduction ou de la version originale mais j’ai trouvé certains passages assez répétitifs, par exemple quand deux personnages étaient témoins de la même scène et les deux procédaient donc à la décrire. Je dirais aussi que j’ai eu du mal à certains moments à savoir qui parlait dans les conversations. J’aurais aimé un peu plus d’indication.
Une belle découverte qui vient consolider mon avis sur l’auteur ! J’espère que ce livre sera traduit dans d’autres langues.
August 1, 2025
This is a sweet book where we meet five passengers riding on the Hankyu train line. Typically, people sit on the train, absorbed in their own thoughts and lives. Occasionally though, something happens that connects people... not in small inconsequential conversations, but in words or actions that help the other see things from a new perspective. And when that happens, big changes can occur.
July 21, 2025
The Passengers on the Hankyu Line by Hiro Arikawa
Synopsis /
Famously scenic, the Hankyu commuter train trundles daily through Japanese landscape unaware of the heartaches of the passengers it carries.
On the outward journey we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters as we puzzle out how they will unravel; on the return journey six months later, we watch them resolve:
- a young man meets the young woman, who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can take it out himself
- a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad
- a university student leaves his hometown for the first time
- a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend;
- an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.
As the seasons come around, so the Hankyu line trundles on carrying the lives and loves of its passengers ever forwards.
My Thoughts /
For this reader, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line represents something unlike any other book she usually reads. Originally chosen for a challenge read (I needed something to read which was set in Japan) – at its most basic level, Arikawa's story is about the lives of 11 people who are all travelling on a Japanese train line. However, as you read further into the story, you realise that what appears to be the simple premise of riding a train, evolves into something profoundly moving.
Set on a 'train network' the Hankyu Railway connects Kobe and Kyoto with Umeda, Osaka, as a main hub. A privately owned trainline where the trains are made up of vintage style maroon coloured carriages with interiors of wood-grain and green seated fabric. Arikawa sets out to explore the idea that when people are on a train they are usually self-absorbed in their own world – whether scrolling their phones, listening to music or just hurrying to get from one place to another. But what might happen if a chance encounter with another passenger gave you pause for thought. In other words: Any one moment may seem insignificant, but it could also be a critical juncture where your path diverges.
Each chapter is named after a sector (or station) along the line and within that chapter Arikawa gives us an insight into a different one of the eleven main characters in the story – high school students; a grandmother travelling with her granddaughter; or a group of middle-aged women going out to lunch; and what happens in each chapter is that there is an accidental interaction between one person and other person which gives each player pause for thought.
Each passenger's story interweaves seamlessly with the others. The author demonstrating remarkable skill in creating fully realised characters within the constraints of relatively short chapters. With themes of love, kindness, truth, clarity, and revenge, the author writes with clear focus on what I like to think is a central theme – that an accidental encounter with a stranger can sometimes provide the focus and guidance that we didn't know we needed.
Synopsis /
Famously scenic, the Hankyu commuter train trundles daily through Japanese landscape unaware of the heartaches of the passengers it carries.
On the outward journey we are introduced to the emotional dilemmas of five characters as we puzzle out how they will unravel; on the return journey six months later, we watch them resolve:
- a young man meets the young woman, who always happens to borrow a library book just before he can take it out himself
- a woman in a white bridal dress boards looking inexplicably sad
- a university student leaves his hometown for the first time
- a girl prepares to leave her abusive boyfriend;
- an old lady discusses adopting a dog with her granddaughter.
As the seasons come around, so the Hankyu line trundles on carrying the lives and loves of its passengers ever forwards.
My Thoughts /
For this reader, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line represents something unlike any other book she usually reads. Originally chosen for a challenge read (I needed something to read which was set in Japan) – at its most basic level, Arikawa's story is about the lives of 11 people who are all travelling on a Japanese train line. However, as you read further into the story, you realise that what appears to be the simple premise of riding a train, evolves into something profoundly moving.
Set on a 'train network' the Hankyu Railway connects Kobe and Kyoto with Umeda, Osaka, as a main hub. A privately owned trainline where the trains are made up of vintage style maroon coloured carriages with interiors of wood-grain and green seated fabric. Arikawa sets out to explore the idea that when people are on a train they are usually self-absorbed in their own world – whether scrolling their phones, listening to music or just hurrying to get from one place to another. But what might happen if a chance encounter with another passenger gave you pause for thought. In other words: Any one moment may seem insignificant, but it could also be a critical juncture where your path diverges.
Each chapter is named after a sector (or station) along the line and within that chapter Arikawa gives us an insight into a different one of the eleven main characters in the story – high school students; a grandmother travelling with her granddaughter; or a group of middle-aged women going out to lunch; and what happens in each chapter is that there is an accidental interaction between one person and other person which gives each player pause for thought.
Each passenger's story interweaves seamlessly with the others. The author demonstrating remarkable skill in creating fully realised characters within the constraints of relatively short chapters. With themes of love, kindness, truth, clarity, and revenge, the author writes with clear focus on what I like to think is a central theme – that an accidental encounter with a stranger can sometimes provide the focus and guidance that we didn't know we needed.
October 11, 2022
น่ารักๆๆๆๆๆๆ และตลก
ไม่หว่องเลยยยย
ไม่ได้อบอุ่นหัวใจขนาดจักกะจี้ด้วย กำลังพอดี แบบชวนยิ้ม มีขมวดคิ้วนิดหน่อยว่ามันจะกล้าฉะกันบนรถไฟจริงๆหรอ แต่เอาหน่า นิยายนี่นะ! และพอเป็นนิยายมันเลยมีการ connect ต่างๆที่ไม่ประดักประเดิด อ่านไปแล้วก็แบบ โอ้ยกำลังพอดีเลย ชอบทุกตัวละคร น่ารักทุกคน
พูดถึงบนรถไฟ เราก็เคยเจอเหตุการณ์แปลกๆ บนรถไฟเหมือนกัน มีทั้งดีและไม่ดี ช่างเป็นการโดยสารสาธารณะที่เราจะได้เจออะไรแบบไม่คาดคิดเสมอ เช่นคนหล่ออยู่ฟังเพลง แค่นี้ก็ชื่นใจแล้วก่อนได้ไปทำงาน หรือเจอคนกลิ่นตัวเหม็นระหว่างเดินทางก็จะเศร้าหน่อย เบียดเป็นการกระป๋อง การยืนแบบชั้นแข็งแกร่ง! เพราะไม่มีที่ให้จับ เราว่าบนรถไฟเจอเรื่องตลกๆ เยอะดี ส่วนตัวเคยเจอฝรั่งทักบนรถไฟ เพราะตอนนั้นกำลังอ่านหนังสือแปลเล่มหนึ่งอยู่ เขาบอกว่าเล่มนี้ดีมากเลยนะ กู๊ด ยูเลือกได้เจ๋งมาก ตอนนั้นมอปลายค่ะ แบบดีใจมากเลยที่มีคนแก่ฝรั่ง หน้าตาเหมือนคนในปกหนังสือ (แต่คงไม่ใช่) ชม ยังจำได้จนถึงทุกวันนี้เลยค่ะ
ปล.ตอนอ่านชื่อหนังสือคิดไว้ว่าต้องหว่องๆ เหงาๆ ผิดคาด สนุก ตลก และน่ารัก!
ปล2. คนแปลแปลเก่งมากเลย แปลบทสนทนาเข้ากับบริบทของตัวละครมากเลยค่ะ ประทับใจ
ไม่หว่องเลยยยย
ไม่ได้อบอุ่นหัวใจขนาดจักกะจี้ด้วย กำลังพอดี แบบชวนยิ้ม มีขมวดคิ้วนิดหน่อยว่ามันจะกล้าฉะกันบนรถไฟจริงๆหรอ แต่เอาหน่า นิยายนี่นะ! และพอเป็นนิยายมันเลยมีการ connect ต่างๆที่ไม่ประดักประเดิด อ่านไปแล้วก็แบบ โอ้ยกำลังพอดีเลย ชอบทุกตัวละคร น่ารักทุกคน
พูดถึงบนรถไฟ เราก็เคยเจอเหตุการณ์แปลกๆ บนรถไฟเหมือนกัน มีทั้งดีและไม่ดี ช่างเป็นการโดยสารสาธารณะที่เราจะได้เจออะไรแบบไม่คาดคิดเสมอ เช่นคนหล่ออยู่ฟังเพลง แค่นี้ก็ชื่นใจแล้วก่อนได้ไปทำงาน หรือเจอคนกลิ่นตัวเหม็นระหว่างเดินทางก็จะเศร้าหน่อย เบียดเป็นการกระป๋อง การยืนแบบชั้นแข็งแกร่ง! เพราะไม่มีที่ให้จับ เราว่าบนรถไฟเจอเรื่องตลกๆ เยอะดี ส่วนตัวเคยเจอฝรั่งทักบนรถไฟ เพราะตอนนั้นกำลังอ่านหนังสือแปลเล่มหนึ่งอยู่ เขาบอกว่าเล่มนี้ดีมากเลยนะ กู๊ด ยูเลือกได้เจ๋งมาก ตอนนั้นมอปลายค่ะ แบบดีใจมากเลยที่มีคนแก่ฝรั่ง หน้าตาเหมือนคนในปกหนังสือ (แต่คงไม่ใช่) ชม ยังจำได้จนถึงทุกวันนี้เลยค่ะ
ปล.ตอนอ่านชื่อหนังสือคิดไว้ว่าต้องหว่องๆ เหงาๆ ผิดคาด สนุก ตลก และน่ารัก!
ปล2. คนแปลแปลเก่งมากเลย แปลบทสนทนาเข้ากับบริบทของตัวละครมากเลยค่ะ ประทับใจ
May 4, 2021
Un livre Doudou ♥️
November 28, 2021
C'était une petite lecture sympathique, douce et mignonne comme un moshi :)
Les 8 arrêts sont passés très vite et c'était un plaisir de retrouver les personnages à l'automne suivant.
En revanche, j'ai trouvé certaines situations un peu caricaturales. Il me manquait quelque chose pour adhérer et pour me sentir liée à certaines personnes. Après, le temps entre 2 stations est court, les histoires sont donc rapides et on ne peut pas tout approfondir non plus.
Ça n'en reste pas moins un agréable moment passé au Japon... en attendant de le découvrir pour de vrai
Les 8 arrêts sont passés très vite et c'était un plaisir de retrouver les personnages à l'automne suivant.
En revanche, j'ai trouvé certaines situations un peu caricaturales. Il me manquait quelque chose pour adhérer et pour me sentir liée à certaines personnes. Après, le temps entre 2 stations est court, les histoires sont donc rapides et on ne peut pas tout approfondir non plus.
Ça n'en reste pas moins un agréable moment passé au Japon... en attendant de le découvrir pour de vrai
November 6, 2022
ชอบมาก ชอบการร้อยเรียงเรื่องราวของคนแปลกหน้าบนรถไฟเข้าไว้ด้วยกัน
ชอบธีมของเรื่องสั้นที่ทุกเรื่องคือการเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองและเริ่มต้นใหม่
คนแปลกหน้าที่พบเจอเพียงชั่วครู่ คุยกันไม่กี่ประโยค กลับมอบคำพูดดีๆที่ช่วยเปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตเราได้ 🥰🥰
แต่จริงๆแล้ว เพราะลึกๆแล้ว ตัวเราเองก็อยากเป็นคนที่ดีขึ้น แข็งแกร่งมากขึ้น คำพูดไม่กี่คำจึงช่วยสนับสนุนและชุบชูใจเราได้
เรื่องที่ชอบมากที่สุดคือการแก้แค้นของหญิงสาวที่ถูกแย่งคนรัก ‘เธอมันนักสู้!!’ ✌️✌️
ชอบธีมของเรื่องสั้นที่ทุกเรื่องคือการเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองและเริ่มต้นใหม่
คนแปลกหน้าที่พบเจอเพียงชั่วครู่ คุยกันไม่กี่ประโยค กลับมอบคำพูดดีๆที่ช่วยเปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตเราได้ 🥰🥰
แต่จริงๆแล้ว เพราะลึกๆแล้ว ตัวเราเองก็อยากเป็นคนที่ดีขึ้น แข็งแกร่งมากขึ้น คำพูดไม่กี่คำจึงช่วยสนับสนุนและชุบชูใจเราได้
เรื่องที่ชอบมากที่สุดคือการแก้แค้นของหญิงสาวที่ถูกแย่งคนรัก ‘เธอมันนักสู้!!’ ✌️✌️
July 6, 2025
Hoge snelheidstrein met 8 compartimenten 🚄
In Het Volgende Station stappen we aan (bijna) elk station in het leven van nieuwe personages. Elk hoofdstuk — telkens een halte op de route van de trein — onthult een kort, maar vaak treffend moment dat iets in gang zet: groot of klein.
Het boek is netjes opgebouwd in 16 delen: acht op de heenreis, acht op de terugweg langs dezelfde stations. Per halte krijgen we zo'n 10 à 15 pagina’s om de personages te leren kennen. Soms is dat precies genoeg, soms voelt het wat vluchtig aan.
De terugweg wist me minder te boeien dan de heenreis. Ik had gehoopt op meer verdieping of reflectie over wat er eerder was gebeurd. Die bleef uit, waardoor ik wat op mijn honger bleef zitten.
Toch was het een aangename, ontspannende leeservaring. Ideaal voor op vakantie of een rustige zondag. Het boek heeft me geamuseerd, maar liet verder geen diepe sporen na.
*Gelezen met Boekenroedel*
In Het Volgende Station stappen we aan (bijna) elk station in het leven van nieuwe personages. Elk hoofdstuk — telkens een halte op de route van de trein — onthult een kort, maar vaak treffend moment dat iets in gang zet: groot of klein.
Het boek is netjes opgebouwd in 16 delen: acht op de heenreis, acht op de terugweg langs dezelfde stations. Per halte krijgen we zo'n 10 à 15 pagina’s om de personages te leren kennen. Soms is dat precies genoeg, soms voelt het wat vluchtig aan.
De terugweg wist me minder te boeien dan de heenreis. Ik had gehoopt op meer verdieping of reflectie over wat er eerder was gebeurd. Die bleef uit, waardoor ik wat op mijn honger bleef zitten.
Toch was het een aangename, ontspannende leeservaring. Ideaal voor op vakantie of een rustige zondag. Het boek heeft me geamuseerd, maar liet verder geen diepe sporen na.
*Gelezen met Boekenroedel*
August 14, 2024
Semplice, pulito, una bella lettura estiva.
September 17, 2023
c’était super doux et apaisant comme livre, je l’ai terminé en un rien de temps ! d’autant plus que je le lisais pendant mes trajets en métro, clairement le contexte idéal pour une telle lecture.
j’ai beaucoup aimé rencontrer tous ces personnages, découvrir leurs histoires et surtout voir la manière dont leurs chemins s’entrecroisaient et dont leurs vies s’entremêlaient. une belle représentation aussi de tous les types de personnes qu’on peut trouver sur une même ligne de train !
j’ai beaucoup aimé rencontrer tous ces personnages, découvrir leurs histoires et surtout voir la manière dont leurs chemins s’entrecroisaient et dont leurs vies s’entremêlaient. une belle représentation aussi de tous les types de personnes qu’on peut trouver sur une même ligne de train !
August 29, 2025
In deze Japanse hedendaagse klassieker reizen we mee met de treinreizigers op de Hankyu Line. Het boek is opgedeeld in twee delen, die enerzijds de heenreis en anderzijds de terugreis weergeven. Bij elke halte wordt er ingezoomd op één van de passagiers, waarbij de verschillende verhalen en personages interageren met elkaar, wat een leuke dynamiek geeft. Zo lezen we kleine en grote verhalen, doordrenkt met levenswijsheden binnen een Japanse filosofie en leefwereld, wat voor mij wel verrijkend en rustgevend werkt.
Ik hou wel van deze stijl. Dikwijls vinden we in dit soort boeken wat magisch realisme terug, maar dat is hier niet het geval. Je wordt als lezer meegevoerd op het kabbelende ritme van de trein, wat een gemoedelijke leeservaring geeft. Van genoten. 3,5 sterren
Ik hou wel van deze stijl. Dikwijls vinden we in dit soort boeken wat magisch realisme terug, maar dat is hier niet het geval. Je wordt als lezer meegevoerd op het kabbelende ritme van de trein, wat een gemoedelijke leeservaring geeft. Van genoten. 3,5 sterren
May 23, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For someone who doesn't typically enjoy short stories, I really enjoyed this. There is always something nostalgic in the way Japanese slice of life stories are often told and this one is no different. It is literally a collection of snippets of people's lives but it feels very wholesome to read. I do think that these kinds of stories won't be for everyone, but it's a delightful little read for those who do.
Even though I call them short stories, they are interconnected in a most charming way. Each character has a different story to tell and it was interesting to see how they all crossed over from one to the other. Even more interesting was that the second half of the book showed us the same characters again half a year later and where their stories have led them. There were some stories I enjoyed more than others but my favourite was quite unexpectedly Shoko's. Given her starting point is as a rather vengeful wedding guest, I was surprised to see how her story captured me and had me thinking, good on you!
While by no means life altering, this is a lovely read that simply felt comfortable and wholesome in its attention to the little things. Although I've never been on the Hankyu line myself, it felt reminiscent of other travels I've had and it's definitely put this area on my future travel list.
January 18, 2022
Quel bonheur j'ai eu à lire ce livre! Je croyais que chacun des chapitres racontait des histoires distinctes, sur la même ligne de train. Toutefois, un peu comme Maiden Railways le fait, mais en allant encore plus loin, les personnages se croisent les uns les autres, s'influencent, changent le destin de la personnage rencontrée, par un mot, un geste, un regard, qui agit comme un déclencheur, comme une goutte qui amorce enfin le mouvement.
C'est un livre fantastique qui montre avec doigté et simplicité que l'observation, la réflexion, l'attention l'un envers l'autre ont un sens, dans un environnement fréquenté pourtant par des êtres qui font semblant de ne pas se voir: "Les gens qui prennent le train seuls se composent en général une mine indifférente." Au fil des pages, on sourit, on est ému, on est même choqué devant certains sorts injustes. Et je suis sortie en ayant envie d'avoir foi en l'humanité. N'est-ce pas grandiose d'écrire un tel ouvrage?
Parenthèse
J'ai habité Kyoto, alors la ligne de trains mise en scène dans ce livre est assez loin. Je n'y suis allée qu'une fois, avec les enfants, pour voir un spectacle de Takarazuka, un événement qui a duré cinq heures. Je croyais que les enfants allaient vouloir partir avant, et que je ne verrais pas tout le programme, mais ils sont restés attentifs et fascinés par le spectacle, alors on est resté les cinq heures complètes.
Il était donc tard à notre retour vers Kyoto. C'était l'heure où les gens terminent les repas entre collègues et rentrent à la maison, le train était bondé. Voyant la plus jeune dans mes bras, on m'a cédé une place, j'ai assis la petite sur moi. Il faisait chaud, les gens étaient tout proches, je craignais qu'elle se mette à pleurer. Alors j'ai commencé à lui murmurer une comptine japonaise qu'on avait apprise, enseignée par une grand-mère, amie de Kyoto. Elle avait aussi montré à ma petite les gestes qui suivent la chanson.
"Musunde, hiraite, te wo utte, musunde." Mon bébé d'un peu plus d'un an entend les mots et tend sa petite menotte fermée, puis elle l'ouvre, suivant la chanson: "Mata hiraite, te wo utte, sono te wo ue ni." Elle tend la main dans les airs et, suivant son mouvement alors que je chantonne toujours, je remarque les gens assis sur le siège devant, qui nous regarde. Le monsieur surtout. Lui aussi avait reconnu la chanson. Il souriait en voyant la petite suivre les mots avec les gestes. "Musunde, hiraite, te wo utte, musunde." Ferme les mains, ouvre-les, frappe-les ensemble, puis referme. Il m'a regardée et il a fait un léger signe, comme un assentiment, comme un accueil. Ce qui m'a rappelé qu'un train bondé, c'est aussi un espace rempli d'humanité.
Fin de la parenthèse.
C'est un livre fantastique qui montre avec doigté et simplicité que l'observation, la réflexion, l'attention l'un envers l'autre ont un sens, dans un environnement fréquenté pourtant par des êtres qui font semblant de ne pas se voir: "Les gens qui prennent le train seuls se composent en général une mine indifférente." Au fil des pages, on sourit, on est ému, on est même choqué devant certains sorts injustes. Et je suis sortie en ayant envie d'avoir foi en l'humanité. N'est-ce pas grandiose d'écrire un tel ouvrage?
Parenthèse
J'ai habité Kyoto, alors la ligne de trains mise en scène dans ce livre est assez loin. Je n'y suis allée qu'une fois, avec les enfants, pour voir un spectacle de Takarazuka, un événement qui a duré cinq heures. Je croyais que les enfants allaient vouloir partir avant, et que je ne verrais pas tout le programme, mais ils sont restés attentifs et fascinés par le spectacle, alors on est resté les cinq heures complètes.
Il était donc tard à notre retour vers Kyoto. C'était l'heure où les gens terminent les repas entre collègues et rentrent à la maison, le train était bondé. Voyant la plus jeune dans mes bras, on m'a cédé une place, j'ai assis la petite sur moi. Il faisait chaud, les gens étaient tout proches, je craignais qu'elle se mette à pleurer. Alors j'ai commencé à lui murmurer une comptine japonaise qu'on avait apprise, enseignée par une grand-mère, amie de Kyoto. Elle avait aussi montré à ma petite les gestes qui suivent la chanson.
"Musunde, hiraite, te wo utte, musunde." Mon bébé d'un peu plus d'un an entend les mots et tend sa petite menotte fermée, puis elle l'ouvre, suivant la chanson: "Mata hiraite, te wo utte, sono te wo ue ni." Elle tend la main dans les airs et, suivant son mouvement alors que je chantonne toujours, je remarque les gens assis sur le siège devant, qui nous regarde. Le monsieur surtout. Lui aussi avait reconnu la chanson. Il souriait en voyant la petite suivre les mots avec les gestes. "Musunde, hiraite, te wo utte, musunde." Ferme les mains, ouvre-les, frappe-les ensemble, puis referme. Il m'a regardée et il a fait un léger signe, comme un assentiment, comme un accueil. Ce qui m'a rappelé qu'un train bondé, c'est aussi un espace rempli d'humanité.
Fin de la parenthèse.
February 9, 2024
Sympathique mais pas inoubliable
June 8, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Mooi hoe, ondanks dat het korte verhalen waren, alles toch met elkaar verwoven was. De ontmoetingen die in de trein plaatsvonden op de heen én terugweg vertellen in zijn geheel een mooi verhaal. Een aanrader als je van Japanse literatuur houdt.
Mooi hoe, ondanks dat het korte verhalen waren, alles toch met elkaar verwoven was. De ontmoetingen die in de trein plaatsvonden op de heen én terugweg vertellen in zijn geheel een mooi verhaal. Een aanrader als je van Japanse literatuur houdt.
August 3, 2022
ไม่รู้ว่าเราพูดคำว่าน่ารักไปกี่รอบ ตอนที่อ่านเล่มนี้
ผู้เขียนเล่าเรื่องปะติดปะต่อ ชีวิตผู้คนที่ขึ้นและลงรถไฟสายนี้
บ้างสวนกัน บ้างได้พูดคุยกันสั้นๆ
บ้างตัดความสัมพันธ์ และบ้าง สร้างความผูกพันยืดยาว
บางคนได้รับถ้อยคำที่ทำให้ชีวิตเปลี่ยนแปลงไปในทางที่ดีขึ้น
และบางคน ส่งต่อมันไปยังผู้คนอื่นๆ ที่ได้เจอะเจอ
เป็นหนังสือที่อ่านแล้วยิ้มๆ
อย่างที่บอก เราบอกตัวเองบ่อยมากว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้น่ารัก
ดีงาม ฟีลกู๊ดค่ะ :)
ผู้เขียนเล่าเรื่องปะติดปะต่อ ชีวิตผู้คนที่ขึ้นและลงรถไฟสายนี้
บ้างสวนกัน บ้างได้พูดคุยกันสั้นๆ
บ้างตัดความสัมพันธ์ และบ้าง สร้างความผูกพันยืดยาว
บางคนได้รับถ้อยคำที่ทำให้ชีวิตเปลี่ยนแปลงไปในทางที่ดีขึ้น
และบางคน ส่งต่อมันไปยังผู้คนอื่นๆ ที่ได้เจอะเจอ
เป็นหนังสือที่อ่านแล้วยิ้มๆ
อย่างที่บอก เราบอกตัวเองบ่อยมากว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้น่ารัก
ดีงาม ฟีลกู๊ดค่ะ :)
July 21, 2025
This is the definition of a “cozy read” and book for those in a book slump. It’s fast paced with multiple characters with different personalities whose lives are vastly different but they intersect with one another. My favorite character was definitely the grandmother and her dog. Her outspoken personality defined and changed one character story in here. You get to witness love coming apart and new love coming together.
July 7, 2025
Warm, cozy story... but I was expecting a bit more.
Although I liked most of the stories, the granddaughter and grandmother one was one that I couldn't enjoy at all. I actually didn't like the grandmother character. I found her rude.
I liked how all the stories connected with each other, between the characters, and I think it's a good idea to do a story per train station.
I enjoyed this book but... found it a bit weak.
Although I liked most of the stories, the granddaughter and grandmother one was one that I couldn't enjoy at all. I actually didn't like the grandmother character. I found her rude.
I liked how all the stories connected with each other, between the characters, and I think it's a good idea to do a story per train station.
I enjoyed this book but... found it a bit weak.
May 29, 2025
Sincere, poignant, and compelling!
The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a pensive, heart-tugging novel that takes you into the lives of a handful of people, each with their own struggles, troubles, and heartbreaks as their worlds become momentarily intertwined while travelling on a train heading from Takarazuka to Nishinomiya.
The prose is eloquent and insightful. The characters are unique, sympathetic, and endearing. And the plot is an absorbing tale of life, love, friendship, support, generosity, honesty, guidance, acceptance, forgiveness, romance, humour, introspection, and loss.
Overall, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a reflective, touching, heartwarming tale by Arikawa that reminds us of what’s truly important in life and highlights the sheer power of kindness and compassion.
The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a pensive, heart-tugging novel that takes you into the lives of a handful of people, each with their own struggles, troubles, and heartbreaks as their worlds become momentarily intertwined while travelling on a train heading from Takarazuka to Nishinomiya.
The prose is eloquent and insightful. The characters are unique, sympathetic, and endearing. And the plot is an absorbing tale of life, love, friendship, support, generosity, honesty, guidance, acceptance, forgiveness, romance, humour, introspection, and loss.
Overall, The Passengers on the Hankyu Line is a reflective, touching, heartwarming tale by Arikawa that reminds us of what’s truly important in life and highlights the sheer power of kindness and compassion.
March 28, 2021
My rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Bối cảnh của cuốn sách triệu bản này diễn ra trên tuyến tàu điện tại Osaka, từ Takarazuka đến Nishinomiya Kitaguchi. Với rất nhiều nhân vật và câu chuyện,
- Masashi và Yuki, hai sinh viên mê sách chú ý đến đối phương vì phát hiện có cùng gu tác giả.
- Shoko, một phụ nữ trẻ xinh đẹp vừa đánh mất hạnh phúc vào tay người bạn thân.
- Cô bé học sinh lớp 2 bị nắt nạt tinh thần nhưng vẫn thật cứng cỏi.
- Bà lão Tokie, một người sắc sảo và thẳng thừng đến các cô gái trẻ cũng phải ngạc nhiên.
- Cô sinh viên Misa chịu đựng bị bạn trai thường xuyên đánh đập một cách mù quáng.
- Yasue, người mắc kẹt trong nhóm phụ nữ trung niên “thượng lưu” hời hợt, không phù hợp.
- Keichii và Miho, hai sinh viên quen biết trên tàu chợt tìm thấy điểm chung là.. chưa bao giờ hẹn hò.
- Nữ sinh cấp 3 Etsuko với băn khoăn lựa chọn hướng đi tuổi mới lớn, cùng mối tình với đàn ông trưởng thành.
Mỗi độc giả đều có thể bắt gặp bóng dáng mình đâu đó trong cuốn sách.
Câu chuyện của người này cứ nối tiếp người kia theo hành trình lên xuống các ga tàu. Họ tình cờ chứng kiến/lắng nghe cuộc đối thoại, nỗi niềm của nhau. Để rồi, đột nhiên không sao kìm nén được mong muốn đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân, lời khuyên cho một người xa lạ - Bằng tất cả sự thấu hiểu, xúc động hay thậm chí là.. bực mình (!).
Cái hay của Arikawa Hiro là giọng văn luôn rất nhẹ nhàng đơn giản nhưng cách xây dựng cốt truyện thì quá hấp dẫn. Ngòi bút của cô luôn đi sâu, chi tiết vào nội tâm nhân vật, tìm kiếm không gian cho cảm giác bình yên được lan toả.
“Bác nên tránh xa những người có giá trị quan khác với mình càng sớm càng tốt. Nếu cứ ép bản thân ở cạnh những người đó, bác sẽ quen dần với giá trị của họ mất.”
Một tình huống trò chuyện không lường trước, một người có thể chẳng bao giờ gặp lại lần thứ hai trong đời, có khi lại nói ra điều như thế, làm ta bừng tỉnh và nhận ra mình phải thay đổi ngay.
Đọc “Tàu Tốc Hành” bạn sẽ thấy, để tâm đến cảm xúc của người khác có ý nghĩa như thế nào.
Một số trích dẫn yêu thích:
📝 Chỉ có thánh nhân mới không nguyền rủa người khác khi bị đối xử tệ như thế. Nếu có khả năng, có quyết tâm không hối hận, cháu nên đáp trả thích đáng, như vậy cháu sẽ thấy nhẹ lòng hơn nhiều.
📝 Chúng tôi không thể dỡ tổ chim nhạn xuống. Chúng đã phải bay qua quãng đường rất dài, và còn là loài chim báo hiệu may mắn.
📝 Khi bạn đã cố gắng hết sức, mà họ vẫn không cảm nhận được. Vậy thì hãy dừng lại... Hãy sống vì những gì xứng đáng hơn.
📝 Nếu lúc nào cũng thấy cuộc sống của người khác tốt hơn, đẹp hơn và cho rằng mình phải giống họ, bạn sẽ chẳng bao giờ lên được chuyến tàu của chính cuộc đời mình.
📝 Vì em nói ra những điều khiến anh muốn ôm chặt lấy em đấy, một cách vô tư giữa chốn đông người thế này.
📝 Mới ở tuổi này, chúng đã là phụ nữ. Giảo hoạt, mềm yếu, kiêu hãnh.
📝 Một cô bé như em, sau này sẽ còn mất rất nhiều thứ. Nhưng chắc chắn sẽ có người dõi theo em. Sẽ có rất nhiều người cảm thấy em thật mạnh mẽ. Giống như chị vậy.
Bối cảnh của cuốn sách triệu bản này diễn ra trên tuyến tàu điện tại Osaka, từ Takarazuka đến Nishinomiya Kitaguchi. Với rất nhiều nhân vật và câu chuyện,
- Masashi và Yuki, hai sinh viên mê sách chú ý đến đối phương vì phát hiện có cùng gu tác giả.
- Shoko, một phụ nữ trẻ xinh đẹp vừa đánh mất hạnh phúc vào tay người bạn thân.
- Cô bé học sinh lớp 2 bị nắt nạt tinh thần nhưng vẫn thật cứng cỏi.
- Bà lão Tokie, một người sắc sảo và thẳng thừng đến các cô gái trẻ cũng phải ngạc nhiên.
- Cô sinh viên Misa chịu đựng bị bạn trai thường xuyên đánh đập một cách mù quáng.
- Yasue, người mắc kẹt trong nhóm phụ nữ trung niên “thượng lưu” hời hợt, không phù hợp.
- Keichii và Miho, hai sinh viên quen biết trên tàu chợt tìm thấy điểm chung là.. chưa bao giờ hẹn hò.
- Nữ sinh cấp 3 Etsuko với băn khoăn lựa chọn hướng đi tuổi mới lớn, cùng mối tình với đàn ông trưởng thành.
Mỗi độc giả đều có thể bắt gặp bóng dáng mình đâu đó trong cuốn sách.
Câu chuyện của người này cứ nối tiếp người kia theo hành trình lên xuống các ga tàu. Họ tình cờ chứng kiến/lắng nghe cuộc đối thoại, nỗi niềm của nhau. Để rồi, đột nhiên không sao kìm nén được mong muốn đưa ra quan điểm cá nhân, lời khuyên cho một người xa lạ - Bằng tất cả sự thấu hiểu, xúc động hay thậm chí là.. bực mình (!).
Cái hay của Arikawa Hiro là giọng văn luôn rất nhẹ nhàng đơn giản nhưng cách xây dựng cốt truyện thì quá hấp dẫn. Ngòi bút của cô luôn đi sâu, chi tiết vào nội tâm nhân vật, tìm kiếm không gian cho cảm giác bình yên được lan toả.
“Bác nên tránh xa những người có giá trị quan khác với mình càng sớm càng tốt. Nếu cứ ép bản thân ở cạnh những người đó, bác sẽ quen dần với giá trị của họ mất.”
Một tình huống trò chuyện không lường trước, một người có thể chẳng bao giờ gặp lại lần thứ hai trong đời, có khi lại nói ra điều như thế, làm ta bừng tỉnh và nhận ra mình phải thay đổi ngay.
Đọc “Tàu Tốc Hành” bạn sẽ thấy, để tâm đến cảm xúc của người khác có ý nghĩa như thế nào.
Một số trích dẫn yêu thích:
📝 Chỉ có thánh nhân mới không nguyền rủa người khác khi bị đối xử tệ như thế. Nếu có khả năng, có quyết tâm không hối hận, cháu nên đáp trả thích đáng, như vậy cháu sẽ thấy nhẹ lòng hơn nhiều.
📝 Chúng tôi không thể dỡ tổ chim nhạn xuống. Chúng đã phải bay qua quãng đường rất dài, và còn là loài chim báo hiệu may mắn.
📝 Khi bạn đã cố gắng hết sức, mà họ vẫn không cảm nhận được. Vậy thì hãy dừng lại... Hãy sống vì những gì xứng đáng hơn.
📝 Nếu lúc nào cũng thấy cuộc sống của người khác tốt hơn, đẹp hơn và cho rằng mình phải giống họ, bạn sẽ chẳng bao giờ lên được chuyến tàu của chính cuộc đời mình.
📝 Vì em nói ra những điều khiến anh muốn ôm chặt lấy em đấy, một cách vô tư giữa chốn đông người thế này.
📝 Mới ở tuổi này, chúng đã là phụ nữ. Giảo hoạt, mềm yếu, kiêu hãnh.
📝 Một cô bé như em, sau này sẽ còn mất rất nhiều thứ. Nhưng chắc chắn sẽ có người dõi theo em. Sẽ có rất nhiều người cảm thấy em thật mạnh mẽ. Giống như chị vậy.
June 14, 2025
The prevalence of healing fiction coming out of Japan and Korea continues to make my heart happy, because these quiet slice-of-life stories are so relaxing to read while the world is in chaos. This book takes place on a train line in Osaka (a train line I’ve actually traveled on!!), and anytime I’m riding a train I wonder about the people around me and their lives. This book gives us the ultimate people watching experience as we get to know a few of the riders and how they’ve connected with others on their daily commutes.
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult moments, and some of the characters we meet are at really low points of their lives. But chance encounters and small acts of kindness can go a long way, and the writing really reflects on the effect these can have on someone’s circumstances.
One thing I love about this book that many other healing fiction collections don’t include is that we actually get to see a bit of what happens to these people after we first meet them. The second half of the book takes place six or so months after the first half, and we get some follow up on how the encounters in the first half have impacted each of their lives.
If you enjoy quiet stories that are simple on the surface but rich in depth, with beautiful glimpses of Japanese scenery, this might be one you’ll want to read! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy!
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult moments, and some of the characters we meet are at really low points of their lives. But chance encounters and small acts of kindness can go a long way, and the writing really reflects on the effect these can have on someone’s circumstances.
One thing I love about this book that many other healing fiction collections don’t include is that we actually get to see a bit of what happens to these people after we first meet them. The second half of the book takes place six or so months after the first half, and we get some follow up on how the encounters in the first half have impacted each of their lives.
If you enjoy quiet stories that are simple on the surface but rich in depth, with beautiful glimpses of Japanese scenery, this might be one you’ll want to read! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy!
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