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The Washington Post

 The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story
by Marie Kondo (illustrated by Yuko Uramato)
Ten Speed
2 stars
Marie Kondo will simplify and declutter your home, even if it takes three books to do it.

In her previous blockbusters, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy, Kondo’s neatnik, folding-obsessed persona felt comedic. It would be maniacal if it weren’t so cute, down to her “spark joy” pose: the lifted leg, the tilt of the head, the finger pointed in the air. She’s like a cartoon character come to life to bless you with tidiness.
Tidiness guru Marie Kondo’s second book, Spark Joy, offers reader nothing new, except diagrams perhaps
In her new book, The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up, Kondo is literally a comic book character. Originally published in Japan, this odd little shoujo manga book follows the tale of a fictional messy woman named Chiaki Suzuki. An earnest workaholic, Chiaki never cooks and has a disaster of an apartment littered with trash on the balcony and items on every surface.

She never invites people over because of the mess. Chiaki is still single even though she is a whopping 29 years old. When her attractive neighbour comes over to complain about Chiaki’s balcony trash (rightly so), he gets a glimpse into her apartment and is disgusted.
What is Chiaki to do? Since this book is by Marie Kondo, you can probably guess. Marie Kondo – or rather, Manga Kondo – takes on Chiaki’s case, and over 185 pages, the pair get Chiaki’s life back together.

In shoujo manga books, protagonists are clumsy and messy. Partly, it’s to make a more likeable heroine, but partly it’s to make her meek and looking for protection and attention from handsome men. In this manga, illustrated by Yuko Utamato, we learn about all the ways Chiaki has let herself go.
Book review: The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
She realises she doesn’t cook for herself anymore, that she doesn’t enjoy her life, that she doesn’t have a way to move forward. Through the “KonMari method”, she learns how to value the things around her, and thus herself. (To anyone who’s read a Kondo book, this will sound familiar.)
In one of the first lessons, Chiaki is deciding what books in her hoarder’s den to keep or throw away. She feels sad at the idea that an author has written and sold a book only to have it discarded.
“You wouldn’t like it if someone got rid of the book you wrote, would you?” Chiaki asks, her hands balled into fists, her mouth wobbly with emotion. Manga Kondo stops her with a hand up and her mouth in a half-moon smile. The little black-and-white Marie seems resigned to her fate, in a way.
“Actually, if it doesn’t bring joy, I’d rather they did,” she says.
Tidiness guru says keep only the things that bring you happiness
Thank you, Manga Kondo, for your honesty.


Book review: The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo teaches the Japanese art of decluttering, comic-book style

Marie Kondo’s latest book is the third in a series that includes The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy.

Spread from The Life Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story

Cover of The Life Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story

Original The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up cover

Tidiness guru Marie Kondo’s second book, Spark Joy, offers reader nothing new, except diagrams perhaps

Japanese organising consultant and author Marie Kondo.

Life Changing cover

Spark Joy cover

Marie Kondo

Book review: The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo

Tidiness guru says keep only the things that bring you happiness

Marie Kondo, the Japanese diva of decluttering.

Kondo helps a client declutter her home. She says most people don't realise how much stuff they actually own.

Culture

Books

Author Marie Kondo transforms herself into a comic book character and helps a messy, unhappy woman tidy her disaster of an apartment, teaching readers along the way how to value the things around them – and themselves


An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


Review