Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

Description

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

Would you share your deepest secrets to save a friend?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.

Translated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami

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

‘Genuinely affecting. A story of empathy, collaboration and sharing truths’ FINANCIAL TIMES

Readers love LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR:

‘This book has become one of my favourite Japanese reads of all time . . . A magical heartfelt 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.This book is a symbol that ‘there is always hope’