Same here. I don't have much to say except this is really well written and gets me intrigued by the book. I like subtlety, so if I have time, I'll track down A Thousand Cranes.
I resonate with being bored by reading literature as a kid. I didn’t know I would be trying to write at all (not on a newsletter on Substack). In fact, Tekken 3 and 5 and Final Fantasy 6-10 were my go-to forms of entertainment. In 6th grade, I was absent for two days from school just to keep playing Tekken 3. It took me until senior high when friends introduced me to Eragon, Harry Potter (the books), and Lord of the Rings that I started taking an interest in reading literature. I then took an elective in local (Filipino) literature, which felt daunting at first, but it was worth it. Reading for fun became an important thing to learn.
Wonderful! I looooovvveee the autobiographical element of this series, Mikey. Getting to know a writer I’ve discovered better alongside a book that changed that writer is such a treat! Thank you to you both, Andrei and Mikey!
I wasn't familiar with the book, but it sounds exactly like the what I am always looking to read and rarely finding. Definitely adding to my bookshelf!
So touching :'). Thank goodness for Mrs. Samsons of the world. It takes one person, then one book, to ignite that spark. I too hated reading, especially when forced, I rebelled. But then it all changed in grade school with my visit to the library with my granny and reading Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Though before that I used to also devour comics and video games, like you!
Oh, Nathan, I think you'd enjoy it! I can't speak for the English translation, but Japanese books are usually well-translated into English, so I have no doubt this one was too. Thanks for reading!
Yes, I've read a fair few Japanese books translated into English and they've always been great. Looks like there's a Penguin Classics version in English so I'm sure it'd be good.
So glad there's another author here who didn't read as a kid! Me too! We are exposed. Ahhh. I love your story of how you discovered reading and the book that changed you, the teacher that inspired you. For me, it wasn't a teacher who inspired but a friend in HS. Maria was an avid reader who introduced me to books not on our HS summer reading list.
Haha, that’s still great! My wife was an avid reader in high school, but what she used to read (fantasy series) didn’t interest me, and mostly still doesn’t. We’re very different people when it comes to reading tastes.
Great article! It's often a teacher, isn't it? I've always enjoyed reading, but it was the English Literature teacher in university who ignited my love for the English language and who convinced me I may actually want to become a writer myself.
It happend to me the first time I read a book not compulsory. I visited the local library and I saw a book called the blue tatto from the forgotten kingdoms trilogy, The cover had a women hand with a leather short glove, a blue tatto and a sword. It enjoyed it a lot, and that was the start of my reading passion.
I never even heard of the book, but now I'll look for it to read it. Thank you
I enjoyed reading your essay. A lot.
Same here. I don't have much to say except this is really well written and gets me intrigued by the book. I like subtlety, so if I have time, I'll track down A Thousand Cranes.
Thanks for reading, and for the kind words, Mikhail!
I resonate with being bored by reading literature as a kid. I didn’t know I would be trying to write at all (not on a newsletter on Substack). In fact, Tekken 3 and 5 and Final Fantasy 6-10 were my go-to forms of entertainment. In 6th grade, I was absent for two days from school just to keep playing Tekken 3. It took me until senior high when friends introduced me to Eragon, Harry Potter (the books), and Lord of the Rings that I started taking an interest in reading literature. I then took an elective in local (Filipino) literature, which felt daunting at first, but it was worth it. Reading for fun became an important thing to learn.
Thank you for these beautiful thoughts! I’m glad to see it resonated, and I didn’t believe there’d be someone with such a similar experience as mine.
Wonderful! I looooovvveee the autobiographical element of this series, Mikey. Getting to know a writer I’ve discovered better alongside a book that changed that writer is such a treat! Thank you to you both, Andrei and Mikey!
I’ve added this book to my to-read list.
Let me know what you think of it, Holly! I think you're going to be blown away.
I didn’t know the book, but now it sounds like a must-read.
It is, honestly! And really anything by this author is amazing. I’ve since read three more of his novels, and all of them blew my mind.
I wasn't familiar with the book, but it sounds exactly like the what I am always looking to read and rarely finding. Definitely adding to my bookshelf!
Great! Let me know what you think of it.
Excellent! I just got the book....
Haha, wow! I’m glad you enjoyed. Tell me what you think once you’ve read it!
you may want to check out my review here, on BTMU:
https://booksthatmadeus.substack.com/p/when-universes-collide
Ahh, I loved The Collector! I shall read your essay. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, Zork! I read your piece and left a comment. Very insightful essay! I liked it a lot.
This book holds my heart!! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
So touching :'). Thank goodness for Mrs. Samsons of the world. It takes one person, then one book, to ignite that spark. I too hated reading, especially when forced, I rebelled. But then it all changed in grade school with my visit to the library with my granny and reading Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Though before that I used to also devour comics and video games, like you!
Thanks for reading! Agree with all that you’ve said, you kindred spirit you.
🤗👻 (The latter is supposed to be a kindred spirit. lol)
❤️☺️
Lovely post, Andrei. I dont know the book, but I'll look for it.
Thank you for reading, my friend!
Beautiful tribute to your teacher and the spark that lite your passion for reading.
Thank you for the kind words, Linda!
Heartwarming story, Andrei. Not aware of the book but now I want to read it!
Oh, Nathan, I think you'd enjoy it! I can't speak for the English translation, but Japanese books are usually well-translated into English, so I have no doubt this one was too. Thanks for reading!
Yes, I've read a fair few Japanese books translated into English and they've always been great. Looks like there's a Penguin Classics version in English so I'm sure it'd be good.
Great! Let me know what you think, if you do end up reading it!
So glad there's another author here who didn't read as a kid! Me too! We are exposed. Ahhh. I love your story of how you discovered reading and the book that changed you, the teacher that inspired you. For me, it wasn't a teacher who inspired but a friend in HS. Maria was an avid reader who introduced me to books not on our HS summer reading list.
Haha, that’s still great! My wife was an avid reader in high school, but what she used to read (fantasy series) didn’t interest me, and mostly still doesn’t. We’re very different people when it comes to reading tastes.
Haha. Hubby read sci fi. Blech.
Great article! It's often a teacher, isn't it? I've always enjoyed reading, but it was the English Literature teacher in university who ignited my love for the English language and who convinced me I may actually want to become a writer myself.
Thanks so much for reading! And yeah, teachers are powerful people, man.
It happend to me the first time I read a book not compulsory. I visited the local library and I saw a book called the blue tatto from the forgotten kingdoms trilogy, The cover had a women hand with a leather short glove, a blue tatto and a sword. It enjoyed it a lot, and that was the start of my reading passion.