Goodnight Tokyo
The English language debut from bestselling Japanese author
Atsuhiro Yoshida author Haydn Trowell translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd
Published:18th Jul '24
Should be back in stock very soon
![Goodnight Tokyo cover](https://cdn.theportobellobookshop.com/img/9781787705128.jpg)
“A must-read for Murakami fans.”—Hotlist
Set in the early hours of the morning in and around Tokyo, this ingeniously constructed English language debut is an energetic fresco of nocturnal existence. Hailed as a mélange of Agatha Christie, Teju Cole, and Hieronymus Bosch, Goodnight Tokyo is a compelling reflection on human relationships in modern-day metropolises at the intersection of isolation and intimacy.
Matsui is the driver of a taxi the colour of the night sky. Every night between the hours of 1 am and 4.30 am, when Tokyo’s eccentrics and insomniacs emerge, he guides his taxi around the streets of Tokyo, collecting passengers and their stories.
Yoshida’s novel offers readers a unique and intimate take on Tokyo as seen through the eyes of a large cast of colourful characters whose lives are mysteriously but intricately interconnected and whose fates converge against the backdrop of the city’s neon-lit streets and night-time alleys.
"The timeless quality of Tokyo in the wee small hours is evoked as taxi driver Matsui encounters eccentrics and insomniacs alike . . . rewards are plentiful.” * Financial Times *
“This short novel is the perfect introduction if you’ve not encountered the world of Japanese fiction.” * Buzz Magazine *
"Dream-like and elegant... These tales are compelling. All life is here, and Yoshida's writing is a perfect lens to see into the dark recesses of the heart." * CrimeTime FM *
“There is a whimsicality to this playful novel that vanishes in the harsh light of day.” * Irish Times *
"A charming collection of interlinked short stories that take place in the Japanese capital by night... it’s a lot of fun, packing a lot of ‘adventures’ into its twelve stories." * Tony's Reading List *
"A charismatic reading experience. Exploring the fragility of human nature it examines the concept of fate and why, as individuals, and for whatever reason, we journey on a path that can take us on an unexpected yet, ofttimes, welcome adventure." * Swirl and Thread *
“There’s something magical about these late-night fairy-tale interactions, every person unwittingly walking the city with the key to a stranger’s mystery in their pocket.” * Kirkus Reviews *
“Best-selling Japanese writer Yoshida’s English-language debut, enabled by Australian literary translator Haydn Trowell, is a delightful montage portraying strangers serendipitously connecting in the wee hours despite the vast anonymity of living in one of the world’s busiest, most populous cities.” * Booklist *
“A tender ode to life’s unexpected moments of happiness.” * Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany) *
“A quiet slice-of-night-life novel, Goodnight Tokyo explores the hushed surprises and understated mysteries enmeshed in daily human connectivity.” * Foreword Review (starred review) *
“Readers will be reminded of Jim Jarmusch's 1991 movie Night on Earth, which also takes place in the wee hours of the morning and threads together the stories of strangers." * NPR *
“After closing this book, think of a friend or someone you know. Try to imagine their friends, the people they know whom you don’t. Tokyo is made of such people. Definitely.” * Sankei Shimbun (Japan) *
“A must-read for Murakami fans.” * Hotlist (Germany) *
ISBN: 9781787705128
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
176 pages