A reserved United Nations staffer becomes entangled in an ethically fraught relationship with his friend’s wife in Yorkson’s literary novel.
After a chance meeting at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mark Sanders, a middle-aged human resources officer at the UN, reconnects with Hans Schmidt, an old colleague, and meets Hans’ captivating wife, Yukari Asaka, a talented violinist with a haunting past. As the three form a seemingly innocent friendship, emotional boundaries blur. Yukari slowly reveals her traumatic history: a battle with leukemia, estrangement from her traditional Japanese family, and dreams deferred. As Mark becomes increasingly drawn to her vulnerability and beauty, the novel carefully navigates their escalating emotional intimacy. Set against the multicultural backdrop of late-1990s New York and the formalism of the UN, the narrative unpacks themes of exile—both literal and emotional—while exploring what it means to rebuild one’s identity through art, culture, and connection. Yorkson’s prose is restrained yet perceptive, offering detailed interior monologues and dialogue that reveal more than the characters intend. Music and painting serve as metaphors for the characters’ desires to be seen, remembered, and redeemed. Some scenes are psychologically nuanced, while others veer into melodrama, especially as Yukari seeks refuge in Mark: “‘I’m thinking of divorce. Please help me,’ Yukari said in a single breath.” Although the pacing is slow and the plot minimal, the novel thrives in emotional detail and the tension of unspoken feelings. Mark, in particular, is written with quiet complexity—a man grappling with guilt over his past divorce and the aching recognition that he may again be heading toward emotional compromise. Yukari’s tragic past offers richness, while Hans remains more of an enigma, despite his centrality. Readers who enjoy psychological realism and morally complex relationships will find much to appreciate in Yorkson’s careful storytelling.
A contemplative, emotionally layered look at desire, loyalty, and the fragile lines between friendship and love.