Book Review - 君の膵臓を食べたい 住野よる/Let Me Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Sumino
A touching and accessible Japanese novel for learners and lovers of coming-of-age stories
Plot Summary
The story begins when an introverted high school boy (unnamed throughout the novel) accidentally discovers the private diary of his popular classmate, Sakura Yamauchi. In it, he learns that she is secretly dying from a terminal pancreatic illness. Strangely, his calm, almost indifferent reaction to her condition leads to an unexpected bond between the two. They begin spending time together as she works through her bucket list, determined to embrace the time she has left.
As the novel unfolds, their friendship deepens in quiet but emotionally powerful ways. While the narrative never veers into melodrama, it still manages to tug at the heartstrings, often with surprising tenderness and humor.
Reading Experience for Japanese Learners
At around 300 pages, this is a relatively short and approachable novel. I read the physical Japanese edition without the help of an audiobook, and to my surprise, I didn’t feel the need to rely on a dictionary much. That said, you’ll still encounter your fair share of advanced kanji, and the usual challenges of onyomi vs kunyomi readings do appear. Thankfully, the edition I read included furigana for less common kanji, which made the experience smoother.
If you're a Japanese learner somewhere around the intermediate to upper-intermediate level (N3–N2), this book is a solid choice. It’s emotionally engaging without being linguistically overwhelming.
Awards and Adaptations
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas was a major hit in Japan when it was released. It won multiple literary awards during the 2016 Japanese book awards season and was later adapted into a successful live-action film and an animated movie. For a while, the live-action version was available on Netflix with English subtitles and received positive reviews from viewers and critics alike.
Why You Should Read It
This book isn’t just for teenagers. While it’s technically a young adult novel, its themes of connection, loneliness, and personal transformation are universal. The emotional payoff is real—it is a tearjerker in parts, but it's also sprinkled with humor and quiet moments of joy.
If you’re looking for a modern Japanese novel that:
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Has clear, natural dialogue
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Features relatable characters
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Explores themes of mortality and friendship without heavy-handedness
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Is readable for Japanese learners at an intermediate level or above
…then this one is definitely worth checking out.
Final Thoughts
君の膵臓を食べたい is more than just a sad story. It's about two people learning to be alive together, even in the face of death. If you’re a Japanese language learner or simply a fan of emotional coming-of-age stories, this novel will stay with you long after the final page.
📚 Buy the Book (Paperback/Kindle/Audiobook)
Amazon Japan - Japanese version
Amazon (rest of the world) - English version
Extra Bonus! Link to the film adaptation - Amazon Japan
