When the Museum is Closed
Emi Yagi author Yuki Tejima translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Publishing:25th Jun '26
£9.99
This title is due to be published on 25th June, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£14.99(9781787304642)
A joyful queer love story from the author of Japanese cult hit DIARY OF A VOID
When Rika Horauchi is offered an unusual new part-time job, she never expected to fall in love.
Rika has been tasked with talking to Venus, to keep her company when the museum is closed on Mondays. As Venus comes to life in the quiet of their surroundings, she opens up new worlds for Rika, and they speak about everything. But when the museum’s curator, Hashibami, makes it clear he wants to keep Venus for himself, what will Rika do?
When the Museum is Closed is by turns charming, funny and surprising, a love story about our perceptions of beauty, overcoming loneliness and breaking free.
Translated by Yuki Tejima
READERS LOVE WHEN THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED:
'I quickly became addicted'
'Lyrical and enchanting'
'Filled with comedy, yet it constantly makes the reader question societal norms'
'Unlike anything I've ever read'
'Effortlessly blends the everyday with the fantastical'
'Fun, charming... if you've ever struggled with self-doubt, anxiety or just feeling like you don't quite belong you'll relate to and enjoy'
A dreamlike take on desire, loneliness, and the transformative power of being perceived by others * Electric Literature *
[Its] gentle surrealism nevertheless exposes truths about loneliness, beauty, and queer love . . . Fans of Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here will appreciate Yagi’s blend of dark humor and empathy for her characters, while the unconventional love story may appeal to fans of Sky Daddy by Kate Folk or Blob by Maggie Su * Booklist *
I was captivated by Rika's strange, frozen world, filled with movement and passion - a perfectly contained and luminous story that reveals a whole world of desire and possibility, right at the heart of loneliness -- Rosie Price, author of THE ORANGE ROOM
Another surreal delight * Shelf Awareness *
I quickly became addicted and found myself thinking about it long after I had finished -- ***** READER REVIEW
Filled with comedy, yet it constantly makes the reader question societal norms -- ***** READER REVIEW
Unlike anything I've ever read! -- **** READER REVIEW
Effortlessly blends the everyday with the fantastical. A celebration of non-conformity and freedom from society’s constraints… I found it completely gripping -- **** READER REVIEW
Refreshing and unpredictable. I would recommend this book to those who want a short but thought-provoking read -- **** READER REVIEW
Delightful if at times unsettling, this is a book that I’m sure will stick with me -- **** READER REVIEW
Strange and surreal and sad and fun all at the same time -- **** READER REVIEW
Beautifully translated, lyrical and enchanting -- **** READER REVIEW
A refreshing addition to the Japanese magical realism genre…This was a fun, charming little read with a totally unique plot… If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, anxiety or just feeling like you don’t quite belong you’ll relate to and enjoy this read -- **** READER REVIEW
ISBN: 9781529935004
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 15mm
Weight: 200g
160 pages