46 pages • 1 hour read
Michiko Aoyama, Transl. Alison WattsWhat You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Cultural Context: Tokyo, Japan
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is set in modern-day Tokyo, Japan. All of the primary characters reside in this urban metropolis and have a distinct relationship with the setting and its culture. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and its most populous city. Along with the nation’s economic base, it is a global hub for culture and the arts, boasting a diverse selection of museums, art galleries, and libraries that cater to a wide range of interests. Tokyo is also home to one of the largest and most renowned transportation systems. The train network connects the various neighborhoods of the city and the surrounding land. Although Tokyo is globally recognized as a metropolitan city, Tokyo has a unique structure. The city is divided into 23 municipalities, which each contain distinct wards, towns, and villages. This organizational system is distinct to Tokyo and inspires cultural shifts from one region to the next.
The novel is primarily set in Tokyo’s Hatori ward. Therefore, all of the characters are regionally connected. At the same time, because Tomoka Fujiki, Ryo Urase, Natsumi Sakitani, 
