Author: Takashi
Murakami
Year of Publication: 2008/2009
Number of pages: 127 pages
Available in: Japanese, English, Spanish
I read it in: Spanish
This is the story
of Happy, a dog adopted as a puppy by a Japanese family, and 'Dad', its owner.
After the usual twists of life, they embark on a short trip where their
connection as living beings grows and ours with them too.
Like most graphic novels or comic books I’ve bought throughout my life, the first thing that struck me about this book was the cover: predominantly yellow because of the sunflowers among which is seated a small white puppy with an old car with broken windows on the back. It was labeled as "an emotional book that will make you cry", so without thinking it twice I took it home.
In the
beginning, the story starts with a premonition of what will happen at the end
thus setting the context in which it will be read. The story is told from the
point of view of the dog, who after some missteps ends as the faithful
companion of 'Dad'. I will not say much of the story as how it develops is the
best part.
I must confess
that despite being the most common reaction to this book, I did not cry, but
it's definitely a sad story and, to some extent unfair. As a dog lover, the
part that drew me to the story were the beautiful illustrations, as well as the crucial
role that the story shows dogs have in our lives.
The second
part, a story called 'Field of sunflowers' at first seems to have no relation
to the story of Happy, because it is about a social worker surnamed Okutsuki
who lives and cares for the house of his deceased grandparents and is
surrounded by a field of sunflowers. However, as this short story progresses we
realize that he is in charge of investigating the fate of Happy and Dad,
finding at the end a connection with his own life and his own dog.
Both stories speak
to us about the human condition, of the connections we make with other humans
and living beings, and of our eternal obsession with stargazing, hoping that
everything will improve.
- Where to buy it? Barnes & Noble, Amazon, The Book Depository
- Does the dog die? Website that lets you know this about movies beforehand, so you're properly prepared
- 2011 movie made from the manga
