This is a unique and imaginative novel that tells the story of Rika Horauchi, a reserved young woman who takes on an unconventional part-time job at a museum. Her role is to engage in Latin conversations with a statue of Venus, who miraculously comes to life during the museum’s closing hours. The narrative is a captivating blend of charm, humor, emotional depth, and strong feminist themes.
Rika leads a quiet, unassuming life, sharing her apartment building with her demanding yet likable landlady, Seriko. Her primary job involves working at a cold-storage warehouse, where employees must take regular breaks to avoid falling ill from the sub-zero temperatures. In her free time, she watches live webcam feeds from around the world. However, her life takes a fascinating turn when she is offered a new part-time job, drawing on her unique ability to speak Latin.
Rika’s proficiency in Latin stems from her time studying abroad in Finland and honing her skills in a one-on-one Latin conversation class at her university in Japan. As Rika and the Venus statue get to know each other, a profound bond develops, blending intellectual and physical attraction through their enigmatic and intimate conversations. This connection even culminates in a unique form of intimacy where Rika simply closes her eyes and feels Venus “wash over her.” However, trouble arises when Rika discovers the possessive and controlling male curator, Hashibami, speaking to the statue as if she belongs only to him. This situation prompts Rika to devise a plan to liberate Venus from the museum, leading to a dramatic showdown involving Hashibami and the other statues in the room.
The novel’s conclusion shifts to the perspective of Rika’s former Latin teacher, who happens to spot her at the airport on her way out of the country, carrying a large package that is implied to be the statue of Venus.
The novel’s structure weaves together episodes from Rika’s mundane job at the cold-storage warehouse, flashbacks from her past, and glimpses into her life at home with Seriko, including their relationship with a neglected young boy living next door. Despite these episodic interruptions, the narrative remains engaging and easy to follow.
The novel’s stylistic approach is playful and expressive, effectively grounding the surreal premise. Yagi uses intriguing details and vivid imagery to captivate the reader. Her descriptions of the Venus statue, the museum, and even mundane details like rain create a tangible and immersive atmosphere. Additionally, Rika’s social anxiety is symbolized by a “yellow raincoat” that only she can see, providing a relatable and emotionally charged element to the story.
Yagi’s use of humor is charming and allows her to address serious themes, such as the loneliness of existing in a misogynist society, with a light touch. The peculiar rhythms of Rika and Venus’s conversations make their relationship feel exciting and unpredictable, emphasizing their growing bond and shared liberation. The novel also serves as a commentary on the male artistic gaze that has historically shaped and policed perceptions of beauty, as the statues of female deities are exhibited for the appreciation of museum visitors and controlled by Hashibami.
Overall, “When the Museum Is Closed” is a strong feminist narrative that highlights the solidarity between Rika and Venus, avoiding clichés and delivering an uplifting ending without resorting to forced sentimentality. The story successfully balances surreal elements with relatable themes, making it accessible to readers who may typically have a low tolerance for such narratives.
Comparatively, Yagi’s work can be likened to her other translated work, “Diary of a Void,” and shares similarities with Sayaka Murata’s “Convenience Store Woman” in the way the protagonist stands apart from society and embraces the peculiarities of her job. The novel’s off-kilter humor is reminiscent of books like “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,” and Rika’s obsession with the statue draws parallels to Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch.” In conclusion, “When the Museum Is Closed” is a compelling candidate for translation, likely to follow the success of Yagi’s “Diary of a Void.”