Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon

The four meetings that take place are between a fan and a TV star, a son and his mother, two friends turned rivals, and a man and his long-lost love. Discuss what you thought of this range of encounters and if you had a favorite.

Ayumi’s clients have different reactions upon first meeting him. Some think of him as mysterious, and others consider him precocious. What was your first impression of Ayumi?

There are a few ground rules for these meetings: each reunion is a one-time arrangement that the dead can refuse, the service is entirely free, and the meeting must take place during a full moon. Discuss these rules and why it’s significant from the living clients’ perspective that the go-between does not accept payment.

Yasuhiko Hatada sets up a meeting, but he is distrustful of the whole experience, thinking it’s a scam, even though the service is free. Why is it important to him to hold on to, or at least assert, this belief?

By the end of each chapter, each person has uncovered something previously unknown or misunderstood. Talk about this element of mystery and how it works in each chapter, as well as the novel as a whole .

One of the most complicated relationships in the novel is between the teenagers Natsu Misono and Misa Arashi. Talk about the girls’ dynamic and what the purpose of their final words was for each of them.

In the chapter “The Rule of Lost Love,” the novel introduces an interesting concept: by requesting a meeting, you might be able to learn if someone is or is not dead. Consider this revelation and discuss what the implications may be.

We eventually learn the mechanics of how the go-between contacts the departed and manifests them for these meetings. Discuss your thoughts on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the job.

After reading about the clients’ experiences, we learn more about the go-between himself. What was most illuminating to learn about Ayumi’s family, history, and relationships?

In “The Rule of the Go-Between,” we get to learn more about each of the previous encounters from Ayumi’s interaction with the deceased. What does the additional perspective do for your understanding of each of the meetings? Are the events further clarified or obscured with the new information?

In the first chapter, Manami says, “There’s a euphemism that goes: Your soul catches a cold” (page 18). What do you make of this saying in relation to the events of the novel?

At one point, Ayumi states “the dead existed for the sake of the living” (page 244). Consider this sentiment and discuss if this resonates with you and what it might mean.

Tsujimura has already written a companion novel to this one called How to Hold Someone in Your Heart that follows a now-adult Ayumi. How does knowing Ayumi’s story goes on affect your reading experience of Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon?

If you had the chance to request a meeting with someone who has passed away, who would you request and why?