John Clegg, poet and bookseller, pointing at the first three books in the series Red Circle Minis on sale at the London Review Bookshop (LRB). Photograph: Red Circle Authors Limited.The newly launched series of short Japanese books in English are, ‘beautiful pocket-sized slices of Japanese literature’ and ‘an incredible window into the zeitgeist of modern Japanese society’ while also being ‘small books for big brains’ according to some of the reviewers, readers and critics who have read the first books in the series.
The first three titles in the Red Circle Minis series on sale at The London Review Bookshop, one of London most highly regarded independent bookshops, next to Hiromi Kawakami’s latest book published in English translation The Ten Loves of Mr. Nishino. Photograph: Red Circle Authors Limited.Red Circle Authors Limited, the series’ London-based publisher, is planning to announce new authors joining its curated group of contemporary Japanese authors and new titles later this year.
About the London Review of Books and its bookshop
The London Review of Books, founded in 1979, is Europe’s leading magazine of culture and ideas. Published twice a month, it provides a space for some of the world’s best writers to explore a wide variety of subjects – from art and politics to science and technology via history and philosophy, as well as fiction and poetry.Its bookshop, the London Review Bookshop (LRB), located close to the British Museum in Bloomsbury central London, was opened in 2003 to meet demand from readers, intellectuals, and book lovers. It is now considered one of London’s best independent bookshops.
London Review Bookshop, 14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2J, one of London’s best independent bookshops ‘a Rosetta Stone’s throw from the British Museum’. Photograph: Red Circle Authors Limited.
About Red Circle:Red Circle Authors Limited is a specialist publishing and communications company that conducts bespoke projects on behalf of a carefully selected and curated group of leading Japanese authors. Red Circle showcases Japan’s best creative writing. For more information on Red Circle, Japanese literature, and Red Circle authors please visit: www.redcircleauthors.com.-
About Kanji Hanawa:Kanji Hanawa, a former professor of French literature is a master of the shorty story. He wrote hundreds and dedicated his life to writing short stories and novella about life in ancient, modern and contemporary Japan. Two of his short stories have been shortlisted for the prestigious Akutagawa Literary Prize. Hanawa’s tales reflect a deep interest in human psychology and complex relationships – whose narratives expose the pressures and challenges of life in Japan.- About Kazufumi Shiraishi:Kazufumi Shiraishi had a successful career, spanning two decades, as a journalists working for one of Japan's highest profile monthly magazines, Bungeishinju, before following in the steps of his father and twin brother becoming a full time author. He is a deeply thoughtful author who writes about love, life and the human condition and is unique in being the only Japanese author to follow in his father’s footsteps by winning the same major Japanese literary prize.
- About Roger Pulvers:Roger Pulvers is an author, playwright, theatre director, and translator. He has published more than 50 books in Japanese and English, including novels, essays, plays, and poetry. Helping make Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and befriending David Bowie brought him back to Japan and inspired him to become the award-winning and prolific author, playwright, film director he is today. His recent novel, Hoshizuna Monogatari (Star Sand), which he wrote in Japanese, was published by Kodansha, Japan’s largest publisher, in 2015 and subsequently in English and French in 2016 and 2017 respectively. It was released as a film, directed by him, in 2017.
