Online launch of Japan Stories by Jayne Joso - 15 June at 7pm

In Japan Stories – Jayne Joso’s collection of short fiction, each story centres on a particular character to become part of a mosaic of life in contemporary Japan. Meet the sinister museum curator, a son caring for his dementia-struck father, a young woman who returns to haunt her killer, a widow losing her mind who knits her way to recovery. Along with ‘I’m not David Bowie’ and ‘Maru-chan’ a homage to Yayoi Kusama, the stories reflect Joso’s playful and tender approach as the narratives weave together disparate lives. The book is illustrated by manga artist NAMIKO*.

Jayne says, “As a former Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) participant, I often reflect on just how lucky an experience that was. I’ve now published 5 works of fiction and Japan Stories is the second book set in Japan. Similarly to My Falling Down House (set in Tokyo), I returned to Japan for research, this time with the support of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and then Arts Council England, who supported the writing. There’s a lot of love out there for Japan, and I feel compelled to pen stories and share what I observe, what I hear, what I live close to at times. I hope this new set of stories will surprise and warm the reader. ‘I’m not David Bowie‘ is based on a young man who for some time genuinely believed that he might actually be Bowie, and, as delusions go, I found this rather wonderful, and then, deeply moving.

I hope you will find something to delight you in Japan Stories, and please join me for the online launch if you are able.”

Reviews of Japan Stories can be found here: https://buzzmag.co.uk/this-weeks-new-books-reviewed-feature-21/ 
and The Smell Of Lemons: Japan Stories By Jayne Joso (yorkshiretimes.co.uk)

Below is an interview with C. J. Schüler for The Authors’ Club:

 

About the artist:

*NAMIKO, born in Chiba, Japan, is a manga artist and illustrator with a 30-year career history. Published by Ohzora Publishing Co., Japan; Harper Collins Japan, and now SEREN in the UK, she writes under various pen-names. Using a mix of fine lines and heavier ink at times, Namiko engages with subtle emotions and humour in her work as well as more dramatic, more intense expressions. Her greatest influence is Takehiko Inoue 井上 雄彦. She lives in Tokyo.

Register via Eventbrite: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-launch-of-japan-stories-tickets-155771666247