Yaichi is a work-at-home suburban dad in contemporary Tokyo; formerly married to Natsuki, father to their young daughter, Kana. Their lives suddenly change with the arrival at their doorstep of a hulking, affable Canadian named Mike Flanagan, who declares himself the widower of Yaichi's estranged gay twin, Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to explore Ryoji's past, and the family reluctantly but dutifully takes him in. What follows is an unprecedented and heartbreaking look at the state of a largely still-closeted Japanese gay culture: how it's been affected by the West, and how the next generation can change the preconceptions about it and prejudices against it.
(Please note: This book is a traditional work of manga, and reads back to front and right to left.)
The concluding volume in the story of Yaichi, his daughter Kana, and how their meeting Mike Flanagan--Yaichi's brother-in-law--changes their lives and perceptions of acceptance of homosexuality in their contemporary Japanese culture.
As Mike continues his journey of discovery concerning Ryoji's past, Yaichi gradually comes to understand that being gay is just another way of being human. And that, in many ways, remains a radical concept in Japan even today. In the meantime, the bond between Mike and young Kana grows ever stronger, and yet he is going to have to return to Canada soon--a fact that fills them both with impending heartbreak. But not before more than a few revelations come to light.
My Review:
These were so precious to read! I adored reading about the family, a guy and his daughter, and his twin brother's widower come to visit. It was a heartwarming story of family and acceptance that was just so sweet and a little heartbreaking to read, given that Ryoji has passed. It was also of unconventional families, Yaichi is a single dad, but he still gets along well with his ex-wife, and the four of them go on a family vacation together.
We mainly follow Yaichi during the duration of Mike's visit, watching him reflect on his past with his brother, thinking about his brother's queerness, and seeing his growth and acceptance was so soothing, it's what someone who's queer would want, even if it came too late for Ryoji, but there's still the future, and Kana is young.
Because when this story starts off, Yaichi is disapproving of his gay brother and his gay brother in law. Sometimes, what it takes to realize the truth is to see a personal example to be wrong, to see the truth in person and see past misconceptions and prejudices, and that was the case here.
The ending of the second volume was just so sad. It felt so final, like they would never see each other again. It might not be in person often because flights between Japan and Canada are expensive, but there's video calls. I felt so bad that they had to part, but they reside in different countries. But they had a great and rewarding time together in the time they had which was great.
These were such wonderful reads and I'm so glad that I read them, and more people need to!
Author: Gengoroh Tags me
Series: My Brother's Husband #1, 2
Read: June 30th, 30th, 2024
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 is a End of Series 2024 Book!
Publisher: Pantheon
Published: May 2nd 2017, February 1st 2018
Author: Gengoroh Tags me
Series: My Brother's Husband #1, 2
Read: June 30th, 30th, 2024
Source: Library
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 is a End of Series 2024 Book!
Publisher: Pantheon
Published: May 2nd 2017, February 1st 2018
My Brother's Husband, Volume 1:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
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| 5/5 Books |
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| 5/5 Stars |
My Brother's Husband, Volume 2:
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| 5/5 Hearts |
|
| 5/5 Books |
|
| 5/5 Stars |
