We Recommend

Japanese children’s mental health ranks second to last out of 38 developed countries. The Japanese cultural values around silence, service and not burdening others have a significant role to play. Refusing to go to school and suicide have become a real problem. Kokoro (こころHeart) is being bullied at school so she stops being able to leave her own house. One day the mirror in her room lights up, connecting her to another six young people that for different reasons are also not attending school. This is a beautiful book about reaching out and embracing human connection.
— ALEIDA, BLACKWELL'S BOOKSELLER

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For fans of BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD, fairy tale and magic are weaved together in sparse language that belies a flooring emotional punch.

'Strange and beautiful. Imagine the offspring of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle with The Virgin Suicides' GUARDIAN

Translated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami
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How can you save your friend's life if she doesn't want to be rescued?

In a tranquil neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven teenagers wake to find their bedroom mirrors are shining.

At a single touch, they are pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways, watchful portraits and twinkling chandeliers. In this new sanctuary, they are confronted with a set of clues leading to a hidden room where one of them will be granted a wish. But there's a catch: if they don't leave the castle by five o'clock, they will be punished.

As time passes, a devastating truth emerges: only those brave enough to share their stories will be saved.

Tender, playful, gripping, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR is a mesmerizing tale about the importance of reaching out, confronting anxiety and embracing human connection.


Readers love LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR:

***** 'This book has become one of my favourite Japanese literature reads of all time . . . A magical heart felt read that will stay with you'
***** 'Unexpected, beautiful and heart-breaking . . . this is a work of fiction which reaches into the heart of a modern problem and has valuable insight'
***** 'Rich and vivid with lots of emotions . . . This book is a symbol of "hope is still there'