Eroshenko is a richly textured historical novel that follows the life of Vasily Eroshenko, a blind Ukrainian Esperantist and writer who finds himself at the center of early 20th-century Tokyo’s anarchist, feminist, and literary circles. Through the eyes of Kamichika Ichiko, a headstrong lady reporter navigating her own path in a rigid, patriarchal society, we experience Eroshenko’s passionate ideals, his gentle spirit, and the political tensions simmering just below the surface of Meiji and Taishō-era Japan. The book blends historical facts and imagined dialogue seamlessly, offering a vivid snapshot of a revolutionary time and a cast of unforgettable characters.

I was immediately pulled in by the opening at the Nakamuraya salon. Lennox’s writing here is lush but never showy; the scent of cream buns and the dusty stairs, the eclectic furniture, the buzz of political energy, all of it just hit the right note. And the way Eroshenko is introduced, with his halo of blond curls and strange, tilted eyes, was so captivating I reread that section twice. The dialogue sparkled with personality, especially between Ichiko and Raichō, and there was a real sense of history being made in these cramped, smoky rooms.

Ichiko is smart, proud, and fiercely independent, but she’s also vulnerable, a bit naive, and maybe even a little lost. Her relationships with the other women, especially Noe, were complex and emotionally raw. That conversation over sweets and tea, with Noe breastfeeding and letting her baby pee off the veranda while talking about revolution and broken marriages? That was wild and intimate and, honestly, one of my favorite parts. It made me laugh, feel a little sad, and somehow more hopeful at the same time.

The story of Eroshenko himself, it’s hard not to fall in love with him the way Ichiko does. He’s this strange mix of gentle dreamer and idealistic firebrand. His ideas about Esperanto, storytelling, blind independence, and massaging for a living might sound like an odd combo, but Lennox makes it work. When he’s on the train to Enoshima or kissing Ichiko at the seaside lookout, you feel like you’re watching two lonely people touch the edges of something bigger. But even then, he stays a bit enigmatic. That ambiguity made the emotional payoffs more subtle, and in a way, more real.

This book’s a slow burn in the best way. If you’re the kind of reader who loves character-driven stories, rich dialogue, and historical fiction that doesn’t just name-drop but fully immerses you, Eroshenko is gold. It’s perfect for readers who have a soft spot for the underdog intellectuals and badass women navigating love, politics, and personal truth. It made me think, made me laugh, and made me want to look up everyone in it to learn more. Highly recommended.

Pages: 366 | ASIN : B0DTKL38GR