Aside from the early scene in the diner, Jin is only seen once more Toshi doesn’t even get that courtesy. Goenawan is not shy about dropping what doesn’t contribute, but the result feels less like cutting the fat so much as letting the plot drive. Instead, the novel’s construction feels like an inflated form of the outline, rather than the most elegant communication of the story. While each section intermixed the character’s memories and current thoughts, I longed for the skill shown weaving Ryusei and Miwako’s voices in the opening. The first section is told from Ryusei’s perspective, followed by a section from the perspective of Miwako’s friend, Chie, and closes with a section following Ryusei’s sister, Fumi. Like Murakami’s influence, the structure is laid bare on the page. So it’s a shame to see that dropped as the novel moves into the different sections. Goenawan moves fast, building suspense and laying the foundation for intrigue while adeptly intermixing different voices. In the first section, we’re introduced to Ryusei, his older sister Fumi, and his two friends Jin and Toshi, as well as Miwako, and her two friends Chie and Sachinko. Certainly, Goenawan’s premise is Murakamian, and it’s through the setup of this establishing section that’s the most compelling of the novel. Jazz, rainy night, lost cat, interpersonal drama: Bingo! They’re so easily identifiable and time-tested, I’m surprised we haven’t seen more novels try to borrow the aesthetic.

They’ve become somewhat of a joke in the literary world. Murakami’s tropes are no secret-he wears them proudly on his sleeve. The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida struggles with awkward writing, unflattering structure, and strange tonal decisions, that even the more interesting characters from the cast can’t bring to a more coherent whole. But while Murakami’s recurring elements are easily identified, they’re not as easily employed by a writer.

Instead, it’s the sophomore novel from Singapore’s Clarissa Goenawan, The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida. You could be forgiven for thinking this was the setup to the latest story from perennial literary darling, Haruki Murakami.

Ryusei decides to set out to find out exactly what truth Miwako spoke of. Before Ryusei knows it, Miwako disappears, and the call comes later she’s been found dead, via suicide. In letters, she mentions having withheld the truth from Ryusei, which in Miwako’s eyes, prevented them from being together. No matter how close they get, she refuses to go on an official date with him, saying it would never work out. The two begin spending lots of time together, mostly reading. One, named Ryusei, becomes smitten with a girl named Miwako. Three college guys go to meet three college girls at a small diner.

The perfect world of miwako