How Kyoto Breaks Your Heart

20-something Florentyna Leow is offered a job and cohabitation in Kyoto by an old acquaintance. She develops a personal map of the city, including a smoky jazz kissa, a top-shelf katsuobushi-loving cat, and an elderly lady named Yamaguchi-san. Her relationship with her new companion grows intense, but seasons change, and the persimmon tree loses its fruit, leading to strange things between the two women.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2023
Publisher: The Emma Press

Florentyna Leow, in her early twenties, finds herself at a crossroads, unsure about her future. When an old acquaintance extends an invitation for work and cohabitation in a charming house nestled in the hills of Kyoto, Florentyna's heart swells with excitement. Taking on the role of a tour guide, Florentyna embarks on elaborate and luxurious trips, showcasing Kyoto's cultural treasures to eager tourists. Amidst the bustling tourist hotspots and overcrowded temples, Florentyna creates her own personal map of the city, discovering hidden gems like a cozy jazz café, a connoisseur of premium katsuobushi, and an elderly lady named Yamaguchi-san, who shares her sweet treats and bestows upon Florentyna a Japanese name.

As Florentyna and her new companion spend more time together, their relationship deepens, blossoming into something beautiful. Their tiny kitchen, overlooking a vibrant community garden dominated by a fruitful persimmon tree, becomes the heart of their shared existence. Their bond burns bright, but as the seasons change, the persimmon tree loses its fruit, and strange tensions arise between the two women.

Florentyna's journey in Kyoto is a tale of growth, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships. Through her experiences, she learns to embrace the unknown, find solace in unexpected connections, and navigate the challenges that life throws her way. The persimmon tree may lose its fruit, but Florentyna's spirit remains strong, ready to embrace the next chapter of her adventure with open arms.

Dimension: 198 x 129 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915628008