TW: harassment

There's a thing to be said about reading forum posts in a printed book: it feels exceptionally weird. You want to scroll, but instead you turn a page. You may be sitting in a train, reading a forum discussion about a man who meets his crush on a train, who is subsequently referred to as Train Man (and lame man, rain man, same man, ...), who frets about trains. And women. Especially the woman he meets on the train. Did I say trains? Train.

If there was ever a book that perfectly captured how awful and awkward and heartpoundingly exciting first love is, it might be this one. The forum cheers Train Man on for months and months, egging him on to call his crush, to ask for a date, to go to the hairdresser and clothing store, and in all honesty, I feel like this kind of energy encapsulates the best parts of the internet. Thousands of strangers gathering in front of their screens to wish someone they have never met before the best of luck for his romantic endeavors? That's an ideal image of the internet.

Since this seems to be based on a true story, I do not wish to make judgements on characters or advice, as this is a forum full of ASCII-obsessed otaku we are talking about. There's bound to be some bluntless, self-hatred, idiocy and heartwarming naiveté, and that just frames the whole story perfectly.

If you want a fast and engaging read with a lot of heart, outdated jokes and timeless cuteness, this may just be the book for you. I sure as hell relived all of my awkward first dates as I cheered Train Man on.