A Delicate Dance Between Fantasy and Loss
You know those moments when you’re walking down the street and you swear you see someone you’ve lost? For just a split second, your heart leaps and the world seems to pause. Then reality crashes back, leaving you hollow. Dustin Thao’s sophomore novel, “When Haru Was Here,” lives in that ephemeral space between wishful thinking and harsh truth, weaving a tale that’s equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful.
The Ghost of Summer Past
Eric Ly is drowning. His best friend Daniel died unexpectedly, his sister Jasmine is battling a serious illness, and he’s drifting through life in a haze of grief and uncertainty. Enter Haru Tanaka, a boy Eric met briefly during a magical summer in Japan. Haru reappears in Eric’s life like a lifeline, offering connection and escape. There’s just one tiny problem: no one else can see Haru.
Blurring the Lines of Reality
Thao masterfully keeps readers guessing about Haru’s true nature. Is he:
- A figment of Eric’s imagination?
- A ghost?
- Some kind of cosmic intervention?
This ambiguity creates a delicious tension throughout the novel. We’re pulled along, hoping against hope that Haru is real, even as we suspect the truth might be far more complicated.
A Love Letter to Chicago (With a Dash of Tokyo)
Thao’s descriptions of Chicago are vivid and lived-in. From the glittering lights of the Chicago Theater marquee to the quiet beauty of Millennium Park at night, the city becomes a character in its own right. These familiar landmarks ground the story, creating a stark contrast to the dreamlike quality of Eric’s encounters with Haru.
The flashbacks to Eric’s time in Tokyo are equally evocative. Thao captures the sensory overload of a bustling Japanese summer festival, making readers feel as if they’re right there among the paper lanterns and drifting cherry blossoms.
Characters Who Feel Like Old Friends
Eric: A Boy Adrift
Eric is a protagonist you can’t help but root for. His pain is palpable, his confusion relatable. Thao doesn’t shy away from showing Eric’s flaws—his tendency to push people away, his occasional selfishness—which only makes him feel more real. Eric’s journey of self-discovery and healing is messy, non-linear, and utterly human.
Haru: The Boy Who Wasn’t There
Haru is an enigma, charming and frustrating in equal measure. His appearances are unpredictable, his motivations unclear. Yet there’s an undeniable warmth to him, a playfulness that draws both Eric and the reader in. Thao walks a fine line, making Haru feel both impossibly perfect and achingly real.
The Supporting Cast: A Found Family
The secondary characters in “When Haru Was Here” shine:
- Jasmine: Eric’s sister, whose absence looms large over the story
- Simon and Alex: Eric’s coworkers at the theater, providing much-needed levity and friendship
- Kevin: Jasmine’s ex-boyfriend, struggling to find his place in Eric’s life
- Eric’s parents: Well-intentioned but sometimes distant, navigating their own grief
Each character feels fully realized, with their own hopes, fears, and complexities.
Themes That Linger Long After the Last Page
The Nature of Grief
Thao explores grief in all its messy, contradictory glory. Eric’s pain manifests in:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- A reluctant acceptance
The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, instead showing how healing is a ongoing process, full of setbacks and small victories.
The Power of Imagination
“When Haru Was Here” asks us to consider the role of fantasy in coping with trauma. Is Eric’s relationship with Haru:
- A healthy coping mechanism?
- A dangerous form of escapism?
- Something in between?
The novel suggests that imagination can be both a balm and a potential pitfall, depending on how we use it.
Finding Your Voice
Eric’s journey as a filmmaker parallels his emotional growth. As he learns to tell stories through his camera, he also learns to open up to the people around him. The novel beautifully illustrates how art can be a powerful tool for processing grief and connecting with others.
A Writing Style That Pulls You In
Thao’s prose is deceptively simple, with moments of startling beauty. He has a knack for capturing small, intimate moments:
- The way sunlight catches on the Chicago River
- The comforting smell of jasmine tea
- The texture of a carefully folded origami star
These details ground the story, even as it flirts with magical realism.
Pacing That Keeps You Guessing
The novel’s structure, with its alternating timelines and dream-like interludes, mirrors Eric’s fragmented emotional state. Thao knows when to linger in a moment and when to push the story forward, creating a reading experience that’s both introspective and propulsive.
Comparisons and Context
“When Haru Was Here” feels like a natural evolution from Thao’s debut, “You’ve Reached Sam.” Both novels deal with grief and the blurring of reality, but “Haru” feels more nuanced, digging deeper into the complexities of loss and healing.
Readers who enjoyed Adam Silvera’s “They Both Die at the End” or Nina LaCour’s “We Are Okay” will find much to love here. Thao’s novel shares their emotional depth and exploration of LGBTQ+ themes, while adding its own unique blend of magical realism.
A Few Minor Quibbles
While “When Haru Was Here” is a strong sophomore effort, there are a few areas where it could have been even stronger:
- The pacing occasionally lags in the middle section
- Some secondary characters, particularly Eric’s parents, feel underdeveloped
- The resolution of the Haru storyline might feel too ambiguous for some readers
The Verdict: A Haunting, Hopeful Read
“When Haru Was Here” is a novel that will linger with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Thao has crafted a story that’s both intensely personal and universally relatable, exploring the ways we cope with loss and find the strength to move forward.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of contemporary YA with a touch of magic
- Readers who appreciate explorations of grief and healing
- Anyone who’s ever wished they could see a lost loved one just one more time
Final Thoughts
Dustin Thao has proven himself a writer to watch with “When Haru Was Here.” This poignant, beautifully crafted novel reminds us that while we can’t change the past, we can choose how we move forward. It’s a story about the power of imagination, the importance of human connection, and the bittersweet process of letting go.
So grab a cup of jasmine tea, find a cozy spot, and let yourself be transported into Eric’s world. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking at the empty chair next to you, half-expecting to see someone who isn’t there.
