Dogs and Punching Bags

By Kaori Ozaki. Published by Kodansha. 

Softcover, 394 pages, B&W, 2022 (2025 printing)

From Kaori Ozaki, author of the gods lie. and Mermaid Prince, comes another poignant exploration of love, family, and belonging. After leaving her isolating life in Tokyo, 34-year-old Nichiko returns to her remote island hometown for her estranged alcoholic father’s final days. There she meets Chimaki, an eccentric young man who stirs up old memories—and feelings Nichiko had all but decided she no longer deserved. But despite his puppy-like enthusiasm for life, Chimaki’s almost obsessive need to help those around him seems to be compensating for an unspeakable past…