Ramisa Anjum

You know how some books feel like more than just a story? That’s exactly what Hiromi Kawakami’s The Third Love does. At first glance, you might think it’s a romance novel—and sure, there’s plenty of that. But dive deeper, and you’ll find yourself exploring time, destiny, and the messy, beautiful ways that relationships shape us.

In The Third Love, we meet Riko, a 40-something living in modern-day Tokyo. But Riko’s journey isn’t confined to the present. She’s whisked away through time, finding herself in both 19th-century Edo (the old name for Tokyo) and the Heian period, a time of elegant court life. As she navigates these different worlds, Riko starts questioning her marriage to Naruya and even bigger questions about love and self-identity. It’s a fascinating ride that takes us through time, culture, and some truly profound reflections on love.

Love Across Centuries: Rethinking Romance

The Third Love is way more than a simple love story. It’s an exploration of how love changes with time—literally and figuratively. Riko’s time-traveling adventures help her (and us) rethink how love is influenced by the cultural norms of different eras. Kawakami gives nods to classic Japanese works like The Tales of Ise and Takaoka’s Travels, but don’t worry—you don’t need to be a literary expert to get the story. She manages to make these old-school concepts totally relatable to today’s readers, reminding us that even though centuries have passed, love’s complexities still remain.

Kawakami uses Riko’s journey to raise some important questions: Is love about destiny, or do we shape it ourselves? Can a relationship that feels fated survive the challenges of time and growth? These are the kinds of timeless questions Kawakami tackles, and she does it in such a nuanced way that you’ll find yourself reflecting on your own ideas about love and commitment.

A Literary Tribute with Modern Twists

One of the coolest things about The Third Love is how Kawakami weaves in references to classic Japanese literature. Translator Ted Goossen points out that the novel is basically in conversation with these old texts, like The Tales of Ise, which is all about romantic longing and adventure. These references add layers to the story, making it richer and more complex without feeling like a history lesson.

Take Naruya, for example—he’s not just Riko’s husband; he’s also a reflection of the classic Heian-era romantic hero, Ariwara no Narihira. You know, the beautiful, talented, and tragically unfaithful type. But Kawakami doesn’t just recreate this character; she critiques and reimagines him in a modern context. It’s this blend of old and new that makes the book so unique. You’re not just reading about love; you’re seeing how cultural ideals of romance have evolved over time.

Growing Through Love and Loss

While The Third Love has all the trappings of a romance novel, at its heart, it’s more of a bildungsroman—a story about personal growth. As Riko travels through different time periods and revisits her relationship with Naruya, she starts to understand herself better. Her experiences with love, both the joys and the heartaches, help her evolve emotionally. Kawakami’s portrayal of this emotional growth is so honest, so relatable, that it’ll have you reflecting on your own journey of self-discovery.

Riko’s time-traveling isn’t just a plot device; it’s a metaphor for the way we revisit past relationships in our minds, trying to make sense of them. In the same way Riko uses “magic” to explore different aspects of love, we, too, often look back to gain clarity on our past and understand how those relationships shaped us. Kawakami captures this beautifully, illustrating that love isn’t static—it’s something that changes as we do.

Why The Third Love is a Must-Read Today

In a world where our ideas about love and relationships are constantly shifting, The Third Love feels especially relevant. Kawakami’s exploration of time, fate, and self-discovery speaks to a modern audience trying to make sense of these same themes in their own lives. Whether you’re navigating a new relationship or reflecting on an old one, this book offers insights that feel universal.

What makes The Third Love so timeless is its ability to connect the past with the present. Love may take on different forms depending on the cultural context, but the emotional challenges it presents remain the same. Kawakami draws on Japan’s rich literary tradition to enhance the novel’s themes, but the story resonates on a deeply personal level, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in love, self-exploration, and the human condition.

More Than Just Romance

So, what’s the takeaway? The Third Love is much more than just a romantic tale—it’s a profound meditation on life, destiny, and personal growth. Kawakami blends modern experiences with classical Japanese literature, crafting a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. If you’re looking for a book that’s intellectually stimulating but also emotionally rich, The Third Love is a perfect choice. It’s a reminder that love is complicated, messy, and sometimes magical—just like life itself.

Ramisa Anjum is a first-year university student who enjoys movies, series, and all things entertainment. She is an avid reader of Japanese and Korean literature.