It is said that Japanese novels are becoming popular overfseas, particulaly, in the U.K.
In fact, Asako Yuzuki’s “Butter” was sold over 200,000 copies within about a year of its release and won the “Breakthrough Author” title at the Books Are My Bag Readers Award 2024.
In the past, the trend mainly revolved around certain authors such as Haruki Murakami, but in recent years, works by a variety of writers have been translated into English.
In line with this trend, I’d like to share five of my favorite novels that are available in English!
◆What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
My first pick is “What You Are Looking For Is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama.
Have you ever come across a book that felt just right for your life?
A good book can comfort you in times of struggle or give you the push you need to take on a challenge.
In this story, we meet various characters.
A company employee who can’t take the first step toward his dream, a woman juggling childcare while worrying about her career, and more.
At the library they happen to wander into, there is a tall librarian.
By reading the books she recommends, each character discovers a hint to move forward in their own way.
Each story is filled with beautiful words that give you courage as you read.
I myself sometimes feel afraid to take on challenges, or get so caught up in trying to make the “right” choice that I can’t move forward.
When I return to this book at such times, it gives me just a little bit of courage, enough to take a small step forward.
◆ Lonely Castle in the Mirror
Second pick is “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” by Mitsuki Tsujimura
Even though countries and cultures may differ, the worries of young people attending school are often surprisingly similar.
Through this story, I was reminded of the colorful emotions I once experienced when I was young. Sadness, frustration, joy, and more.
As the story builds toward the climax, I was completely drawn into its world.
The plot is so captivating that I became overwhelmed with emotion and cried until my eyes were swollen.
The story begins with a junior high school girl who doesn’t fit in at school and stumbles into a mysterious castle inside a mirror.
In the castle, she met a small girl wearing a wolf mask and six other young people.
The masked girl told them,
“If you can find the key hidden in this castle, I will grant you a wish.”
However, the castle has many strict rules, and they must never be broken.
The seven junior high school students, including the protagonist, go back and forth between the mirror world and the real world.
Spending time together in the castle, they gradually grow and change.
The author is very well known in Japan and has created many moving stories.
Unfortunately, most of her works have not yet been translated to other languages, but this “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” is available in several languages.
◆ Butter
And of course, I have to introduce this book.
“Butter” by Asako Yuzuki.
This novel is based on a real murder case that took place in Japan between 2007 and 2009.
It tells the story of a woman who is said to have killed men she met through marriage-hunting.
Since the case itself is very well known in Japan and I was already familiar with the background, I was able to immerse myself in the story right away.
That’s why I was honestly surprised to learn that it has also become popular overseas.
Of course, what she did can never be forgiven, and yet, seeing her through the eyes of the journalist protagonist, I found myself increasingly drawn to her.
That feeling is truly frightening.
And somehow, I kept craving the butter that appears in the title.
In fact, while reading this book, I even went out to buy a cake made with “Échiré butter.”
◆ Woman on the Other Shore
My fourth pick is “Woman on the Other Shore” by Mitsuyo Kakuta.
As women move through our thirties and forties, their paths in life begin to diverge.
Married? Unmarried?
Having children or not?
What kind of work they do?
Full-time employees or part-time workers?
This novel portrays the feeling of women from such diverse backgrouns.
When I was reading this novel, I felt as if I truly understood the emotions being described in it.
For me, after graduating from university, I had to quit my full-time job because of my husband’s transfer.
Since then, I’ve been through many roles. Raising kids while working part-time, trying freelance work, and even being a full-time stay-at-home mom.
It hasn’t always been easy to stay positive, and that’s why this novel feels like a real friend to me.
For those moments when you just want to stop and catch your breath, I’d love to recommend this book to you.
◆ Convenience Store Women
My last pick is “Convenience Store Women” by Sayaka Murata
In Japan, there is an annual contest called the “Honya Taisho” (Japan Booksellers’ Award), in which bookstore staff from across the country vote for their favorite titles.
It is considered one of the most trusted awards among book lovers.
It was chosen as one of the top 10 finalists for the 2017 award, and that’s how I first discovered it.
Japanese convenience stores are now on the “must-visit” list for many tourists from abroad.
This novel is set in such a convenience store, and it tells the story of a single woman in her late thirties working there.
The book makes you think about what it means to be “ordinary” or “yourself” while living as just one cog in the machine of society.
It’s the perfect length for a quick read, with a nice tempo, and makes for a really enjoyable experience.
How about trying some Japanese novels?
We now live in an age when not only manga but also novels are actively imported and exported.
Development of the internet makes it easier to access information from around the world, and it has also become easier to transcend cultural differences .
Perhaps that’s one reason behind the current boom in Japanese novels.
When I talk with people from various countries as a guide, I often realize that the things people worry about might actually be quite universal.
So, don’t worry about whether you’ll enjoy these novels just because the culture is different from Japan’s .
Please give these wonderful books a try!