[DeepL Translation - needs review] Long-awaited novelization of the popular comic! Includes a newly written 48-page booklet!
Contents
Novel "The Summer the Light Died Special Edition
Contents are the same as the regular edition.
Special 48-page booklet
8-page comic book newly drawn by Moku Moku Ren
A short story "Autumn Bookmark" newly written by Mio Nukaga
A short story "Autumn bookmark" written by Mio Nukumoku is included in the book.
Novel Synopsis
Yoshinori is a boy who lives in a villag...
Just have the bonus story to go so writing my review now while it’s still fresh!
I really enjoyed this novelisation. There are parts where things don’t translate as well (most notably the “hey it’s the く hiragana” page which is one of my favourite bits of the manga), but experiencing the story from Yoshiki’s head is really interesting. It being narrated means that Those scenes with Yoshiki and Hikaru feel more sensual, intimate and freaky. Imo Yoshiki probably had feelings for past Hikaru and you feel that/the queer theming more here than the manga in my opinion. I think it’s a great supplement to the manga, and I’d like to see more of it, especially as it’s a great way of reminding yourself what was going on when a new volume releases.
4-4.5* for me as there’s definitely points where it feels like it’s not adding anything to the original work, but it’s just thoroughly enjoyable and does what it sets out to do.
Would recommend to anyone who likes the original work and is looking for a challenge. It’s not an easy book but knowing the manga makes it more approachable, and the main bulk of the novelisation isn’t too long (I think it was around 170 pages), with the rest being afterwords, a bonus manga (which was short but very very good) and a bonus story of about 20 pages that I haven’t read yet.