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The Hiroshima Boy: His Extraordinary True Story of Survival and Hope
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26
As the soldiers lifted me from the floor, my father's eyes locked with my own. For just a moment, I thought I saw a shadow of sadness across his face. But it disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, replaced with my father's look of perpetual determination. "You'll find me at the hospital," I said to him. He made no response to this. "Be well, Shinji," he replied to me.
Shinji Mikamo, a teenager, is on the roof of his house, working with his father, when there is a blinding flash. When he regains consciousness, he is severely injured, burned all over his body, and buried in the rubble of a building. Somehow, his father manages to pull him out, and together they begin to search for help. They were - it turned out - only 1200 metres away from the centre of the explosion.
The Hiroshima Boy tells the story of Shinji and his father's journey through Hiroshima as they come face to face with the utter destruction of the city and meet neighbours, friends and strangers enduring unimaginable agony. Running from an enormous fire engulfing their neighbourhood, they reach the banks of the Kyobashi River. But the water provides little comfort, and the scenes they find there are devastating. For the next four days, they roam, searching for food, water and refuge in excruciating pain. Eventually, they reach a village outside Hiroshima City, where Shinji is able to be transferred to a hospital. But to do so he must leave his father, not knowing whether he will ever see him again...
Told simply and powerfully, The Hiroshima Boy is an extraordinary first-person account of survival, suffering, courage and hope.
Shinji Mikamo, a teenager, is on the roof of his house, working with his father, when there is a blinding flash. When he regains consciousness, he is severely injured, burned all over his body, and buried in the rubble of a building. Somehow, his father manages to pull him out, and together they begin to search for help. They were - it turned out - only 1200 metres away from the centre of the explosion.
The Hiroshima Boy tells the story of Shinji and his father's journey through Hiroshima as they come face to face with the utter destruction of the city and meet neighbours, friends and strangers enduring unimaginable agony. Running from an enormous fire engulfing their neighbourhood, they reach the banks of the Kyobashi River. But the water provides little comfort, and the scenes they find there are devastating. For the next four days, they roam, searching for food, water and refuge in excruciating pain. Eventually, they reach a village outside Hiroshima City, where Shinji is able to be transferred to a hospital. But to do so he must leave his father, not knowing whether he will ever see him again...
Told simply and powerfully, The Hiroshima Boy is an extraordinary first-person account of survival, suffering, courage and hope.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
15 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 28, 2026
A brutal and honest story of the horrors faced by those brave people in the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing. It is ugly, raw and not for those with a weak stomach but I feel I learnt so much from this story, about the event itself as well as the strength of the survivors. Definitely an interesting read.
April 21, 2026
My first time reading a non-fiction book and I really enjoyed it! Such an interesting story
March 16, 2026
I’ve read a lot of books about WW2 but this is probably only the 2nd I’ve read about the nuclear bomb being dropped on Hiroshima. It’s always good to read something from a different perspective and this read certainly offers that. This book is really interesting as it shows what life was like in the aftermath of the bomb being dropped. It is written in a stripped back and very factual way. It doesn’t ask for sympathy or claim to be the victim it just tells the story of how things were.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Hiroshima Boy is the life story of Shinji Mikamo, who was a 19-year-old electrical technician for the Japanese Army when the US dropped the atomic bomb on his city on 6 August 1945.
Shinji suffered extensive burns, and it was days before he was able to obtain proper medical help. In the meantime, he and his father – his only close relative still in Hiroshima prior to the explosion – walked around the city seeking aid, witnessing hellish scenes and both the best and worst of humanity. When Shinji was finally moved to a hospital, he was separated from his father, with no way of finding or contacting him.
Once he was well enough to leave hospital, Shinji faced multiple challenges: tracking down any family he might still have left, finding somewhere to live, and obtaining a new job. Over time, he was able to build a new life for himself, but what he saw and experienced as a teenager both scarred him and imbued him with lifelong beliefs in forgiveness and peace.
Shinji Mikamo’s account of Hiroshima – authored by his daughter, Akiko – takes a very different approach to The Children of Hiroshima, by Sadako Teiko Okuda, which I read last year. While the latter focusses almost exclusively on the horrific scenes the author witnessed in the wake of the bombing, The Hiroshima Boy takes a bigger-picture approach, situating the blast as an event with a “before” and an “after” for both Shinji and his city – something I especially valued.
That’s not to say that The Hiroshima Boy doesn’t contain its share of shocking, harrowing scenes, though. Shinji himself suffered life-threatening burns and unimaginable pain, and by necessity describes the carnage he encountered as he and his father moved from place to place seeking aid, as well as the appearance of his worsening wounds and the medical procedures he endured. While the focus is not exclusively on the days that the horror was at its height, the message remains clear: the bombing was a morally reprehensible, inhumane action, and nuclear weapons should never be used again.
From the start of the book, we get to know not only Shinji, but also his family and friends, and learn about his living and work situation, different parts of Hiroshima, and what it was like to live there, and in Japan more generally, in 1945.
As well as finding this all really interesting (I do love reading about people’s families), I alternately felt touched by Shinji’s sadder memories and entertained by his happier ones, particularly when his father’s legendary dry, irreverent wit made an appearance! For example, the irony wasn’t lost on either of them that the explosion destroyed their house just as they were in the process of dismantling it themselves, following ill-thought-through government orders aimed at preventing the spread of fires in the event of more conventional bombing.
Prior to the blast, and even more so in the days and weeks following it, Shinji’s father is central to his life and story, as it was just the two of them: Shinji’s mother had gone to live with his aunt in the country on account of advanced illness, and his older brother was away fighting in the Philippines.
Like a number of the people Sadako Teiko Okuda meets in The Children of Hiroshima, Shinji’s father pushed through his own injuries and devoted the last of his strength to trying to get help for his son, and not letting him give up. In hospital, all Shinji could think about is his father, and his father’s pocket watch – which Shinji later recovered from the wreckage of their home, its hands blown off and the time of 8:15 burned into its face – became an important object for him.
Many years later, though, the watch was stolen from an exhibition in New York City, and this is just one example of the less good side of humanity Shinji portrays in this book. Another, especially egregious instance is when a pair of Japanese soldiers refused to let Shinji and his father take the easier route down from a shrine where they’d been sheltering, and even threatened and verbally abused them.
I was also livid on Shinji’s behalf after he came out of hospital to experience inhospitality from his cousin, and get short shrift from potential employers and his future wife’s family because he had nobody to vouch for him and confirm he was from a good family – surely thousands of people must have been in a similar position in Hiroshima at that time?
As indicated above, though, Shinji balances these cruelties with recollections of moving instances of kindness from friends, neighbours, and total strangers that turned out to make all the difference. The resilience of the city as a whole made a real impression on me, too: within days of the explosion, survivors were already salvaging materials to set up makeshift shelters and stalls as temporary replacements for lost homes and shopfronts.
I really appreciated how the book covered the rest of Shinji’s life, too. From one point of view, it may appear fairly ordinary – he worked, married and had children, and there were good times and bad times – but through it, we get to see how the people of Hiroshima rebuilt the city after it was destroyed, how it affected their health in the long term, and how they came to remember and commemorate the bombing. Learning that Shinji died in 2020 gave me a sense of closure that was lacking in The Children of Hiroshima.
The inevitable caveats of autobiography apply: The Hiroshima Boy tells the story of Hiroshima as an individual survivor remembered it, filtered through two lenses (that of Shinji, and that of Akiko). But that’s its strength: we get to see what was important about an historical event to one particular person, and how they believed it influenced the rest of their life.
Plus, Shinji doesn’t portray himself as extraordinary, or a hero: he admits there were times when he would have given up and died were it not for his father’s refusal to let him do so, and uncharitable thoughts when a volunteer tending to the injured in a school hall took hours to return with some cushions for his bedsores. This makes his account feel even more human and credible.
The Hiroshima Boy is a devastating and profound account of surviving one of the darkest chapters in human history.
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Blog Tours in return for an honest review*
Shinji suffered extensive burns, and it was days before he was able to obtain proper medical help. In the meantime, he and his father – his only close relative still in Hiroshima prior to the explosion – walked around the city seeking aid, witnessing hellish scenes and both the best and worst of humanity. When Shinji was finally moved to a hospital, he was separated from his father, with no way of finding or contacting him.
Once he was well enough to leave hospital, Shinji faced multiple challenges: tracking down any family he might still have left, finding somewhere to live, and obtaining a new job. Over time, he was able to build a new life for himself, but what he saw and experienced as a teenager both scarred him and imbued him with lifelong beliefs in forgiveness and peace.
Shinji Mikamo’s account of Hiroshima – authored by his daughter, Akiko – takes a very different approach to The Children of Hiroshima, by Sadako Teiko Okuda, which I read last year. While the latter focusses almost exclusively on the horrific scenes the author witnessed in the wake of the bombing, The Hiroshima Boy takes a bigger-picture approach, situating the blast as an event with a “before” and an “after” for both Shinji and his city – something I especially valued.
That’s not to say that The Hiroshima Boy doesn’t contain its share of shocking, harrowing scenes, though. Shinji himself suffered life-threatening burns and unimaginable pain, and by necessity describes the carnage he encountered as he and his father moved from place to place seeking aid, as well as the appearance of his worsening wounds and the medical procedures he endured. While the focus is not exclusively on the days that the horror was at its height, the message remains clear: the bombing was a morally reprehensible, inhumane action, and nuclear weapons should never be used again.
From the start of the book, we get to know not only Shinji, but also his family and friends, and learn about his living and work situation, different parts of Hiroshima, and what it was like to live there, and in Japan more generally, in 1945.
As well as finding this all really interesting (I do love reading about people’s families), I alternately felt touched by Shinji’s sadder memories and entertained by his happier ones, particularly when his father’s legendary dry, irreverent wit made an appearance! For example, the irony wasn’t lost on either of them that the explosion destroyed their house just as they were in the process of dismantling it themselves, following ill-thought-through government orders aimed at preventing the spread of fires in the event of more conventional bombing.
Prior to the blast, and even more so in the days and weeks following it, Shinji’s father is central to his life and story, as it was just the two of them: Shinji’s mother had gone to live with his aunt in the country on account of advanced illness, and his older brother was away fighting in the Philippines.
Like a number of the people Sadako Teiko Okuda meets in The Children of Hiroshima, Shinji’s father pushed through his own injuries and devoted the last of his strength to trying to get help for his son, and not letting him give up. In hospital, all Shinji could think about is his father, and his father’s pocket watch – which Shinji later recovered from the wreckage of their home, its hands blown off and the time of 8:15 burned into its face – became an important object for him.
Many years later, though, the watch was stolen from an exhibition in New York City, and this is just one example of the less good side of humanity Shinji portrays in this book. Another, especially egregious instance is when a pair of Japanese soldiers refused to let Shinji and his father take the easier route down from a shrine where they’d been sheltering, and even threatened and verbally abused them.
I was also livid on Shinji’s behalf after he came out of hospital to experience inhospitality from his cousin, and get short shrift from potential employers and his future wife’s family because he had nobody to vouch for him and confirm he was from a good family – surely thousands of people must have been in a similar position in Hiroshima at that time?
As indicated above, though, Shinji balances these cruelties with recollections of moving instances of kindness from friends, neighbours, and total strangers that turned out to make all the difference. The resilience of the city as a whole made a real impression on me, too: within days of the explosion, survivors were already salvaging materials to set up makeshift shelters and stalls as temporary replacements for lost homes and shopfronts.
I really appreciated how the book covered the rest of Shinji’s life, too. From one point of view, it may appear fairly ordinary – he worked, married and had children, and there were good times and bad times – but through it, we get to see how the people of Hiroshima rebuilt the city after it was destroyed, how it affected their health in the long term, and how they came to remember and commemorate the bombing. Learning that Shinji died in 2020 gave me a sense of closure that was lacking in The Children of Hiroshima.
The inevitable caveats of autobiography apply: The Hiroshima Boy tells the story of Hiroshima as an individual survivor remembered it, filtered through two lenses (that of Shinji, and that of Akiko). But that’s its strength: we get to see what was important about an historical event to one particular person, and how they believed it influenced the rest of their life.
Plus, Shinji doesn’t portray himself as extraordinary, or a hero: he admits there were times when he would have given up and died were it not for his father’s refusal to let him do so, and uncharitable thoughts when a volunteer tending to the injured in a school hall took hours to return with some cushions for his bedsores. This makes his account feel even more human and credible.
The Hiroshima Boy is a devastating and profound account of surviving one of the darkest chapters in human history.
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Blog Tours in return for an honest review*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
At 8.15am on the 6th August 1945, US B-29 bomber Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, decimating 5 square miles of the city and killing over 100,000 people instantly. 19 year old Shinji Mikamo was on the roof of his family home less than a mile from the epicentre of the explosion. His chronically unwell mother had relocated to live with her aunt in the countryside and his older brother was deployed with the military in the Phillipines, leaving just Shinji and his father in the family home. The Japanese government had issued a demolition order to prevent the spread of fire in the instance that bombs were dropped and the Mikamo’s home was in the demolition zone. He and his father were working to demolish the house, when from his position on the roof Shinji was faced with a bright flash and the terror of a giant fireball heading his way. Within seconds he felt searing pain enveloping his body and he found himself buried under heaps of rubble and debris. Only able to see through one eye and pinned down by the remnants of his home, Shinji questioned whether he was still alive until he heard his father shouting his name. Somehow, he managed to unearth his son from the collapsed house and assess his injuries. Burns covered his body and his skin hung off him in tatters. This book, The Hiroshima Boy, follows his and his fathers harrowing journey through the city to find medical help, their separation and Shinjis long and painful recovery.
This is one of the most harrowing books I have ever read. Narrated to his daughter, this tells the story of the absolutely horrific aftermath of the bomb, the truly awful things that Shinji saw and experienced. The descriptions of not only his wounds, but the injuries and wounds of the people he encountered, were so vivid and heartbreaking but even that doesn’t truly convey the terrible things he went through. The narration is very factual, it almost feels as though he has detached himself from the experience and is telling us from an outside perspective which just made the whole story even more distressing and traumatic, almost like he can’t bear to relive it as himself. I don’t like to put a rating on a book about someones life experiences, so all I can say about this is that it is 100% worth the read about a horrific time in history.
This is one of the most harrowing books I have ever read. Narrated to his daughter, this tells the story of the absolutely horrific aftermath of the bomb, the truly awful things that Shinji saw and experienced. The descriptions of not only his wounds, but the injuries and wounds of the people he encountered, were so vivid and heartbreaking but even that doesn’t truly convey the terrible things he went through. The narration is very factual, it almost feels as though he has detached himself from the experience and is telling us from an outside perspective which just made the whole story even more distressing and traumatic, almost like he can’t bear to relive it as himself. I don’t like to put a rating on a book about someones life experiences, so all I can say about this is that it is 100% worth the read about a horrific time in history.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I used to live in Japan, I had the opportunity to visit Hiroshima and I absolutely loved it; it honestly might have been one of my favorite cities and the people were so incredibly kind. I visited the Peace Memorial Museum and walked around in the city, so I was very happy to be able to read an arc of The Hiroshima Boy.
The book is well-written and it pulled me in straight away. It's easy to connect with Shinji and you root for him throughout the entire novel, and it's really harrowing to read about what these survivors went through, especially in the first days after the bombing.
I found the story of Shinji and his father to be profoundly touching and I so desperately wanted father and son to be reunited; it was a beautiful story of a father fighting to keep his son alive and the son struggling to survive after the first atomic bomb attack the world had ever seen.
To me, it's truly remarkable how the people of Hiroshima started rebuilding their city almost right away. Despite Shinji and his father meeting some less than nice people (the soldiers), I felt that for the most part, the people they met along the way helped them the best they could, helping their fellow survivors with the little resources they had.
But just how does a city rebuild after being almost razed to the ground? How do you keep going after almost half the population is killed? I found the story of Shinji, and the people of Hiroshima, to be inspiring, proving that humans can pull through even in the most dire situations.
During my time in Hiroshima, I also visited the museum of Fukuro-Machi Elementary School, 460 meters away from the hypocenter, where there is a concrete wall on display. On that wall, you can see names written in chalk written by survivors desperately looking for family members. Just like Shinji, people were trying to reconnect with their loved ones after surviving such a horrific ordeal. Reading this book after having visited these sites in person made it even more emotional.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who has even the slightest interest in World War 2 or Japan, and it's a very well-written novel. It reminds you that these awful things, this unnecessary death and suffering, actually happened. A very strong 4.5 stars.
I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.
The book is well-written and it pulled me in straight away. It's easy to connect with Shinji and you root for him throughout the entire novel, and it's really harrowing to read about what these survivors went through, especially in the first days after the bombing.
I found the story of Shinji and his father to be profoundly touching and I so desperately wanted father and son to be reunited; it was a beautiful story of a father fighting to keep his son alive and the son struggling to survive after the first atomic bomb attack the world had ever seen.
To me, it's truly remarkable how the people of Hiroshima started rebuilding their city almost right away. Despite Shinji and his father meeting some less than nice people (the soldiers), I felt that for the most part, the people they met along the way helped them the best they could, helping their fellow survivors with the little resources they had.
But just how does a city rebuild after being almost razed to the ground? How do you keep going after almost half the population is killed? I found the story of Shinji, and the people of Hiroshima, to be inspiring, proving that humans can pull through even in the most dire situations.
During my time in Hiroshima, I also visited the museum of Fukuro-Machi Elementary School, 460 meters away from the hypocenter, where there is a concrete wall on display. On that wall, you can see names written in chalk written by survivors desperately looking for family members. Just like Shinji, people were trying to reconnect with their loved ones after surviving such a horrific ordeal. Reading this book after having visited these sites in person made it even more emotional.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who has even the slightest interest in World War 2 or Japan, and it's a very well-written novel. It reminds you that these awful things, this unnecessary death and suffering, actually happened. A very strong 4.5 stars.
I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I don’t’ know if this is the best or worst time to read a book like this. I’ve always been fascinated by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The idea that such an immense and destructive power exists in the world is terrifying. This isn’t the first survivor account I’ve read and as with Mr Two Bomb I was shocked by the sheer degree of suffering a person can endure and still survive.
Hiroshima Boy describes the journey of Shinji as told to his daughter Akiko. At the beginning of the book he is caught directly in the bomb blast and suffers horrific injuries. The rest of the book describes his journey to recovery and the impact his injuries and the loss of his family have on the rest of his life.
Whilst the subject matter is horrifying there is so much about this book to rejoice in. I love Japanese writing. It always seems very clean and pared back to me. There are no superfluous words in this book, the story is told simply and directly. I loved the insights into Japanese culture and the mindset of the people there during WWII. As a doctor I found Shinji’s description of radiation sickness incredibly interesting. I appreciated the degree of detail he went into. He never shied away from the hard truths even when describing the removal of part of his ear without anaesthetic. The rebuilding of Shinji mirrors that of Hiroshima itself and somehow the story is uplifting.
This is not an easy book to read but I would encourage everyone to pick it up, especially with the world in its current state.
Thanks to the publishers for my advance review copy - all opinions are my own.
Hiroshima Boy describes the journey of Shinji as told to his daughter Akiko. At the beginning of the book he is caught directly in the bomb blast and suffers horrific injuries. The rest of the book describes his journey to recovery and the impact his injuries and the loss of his family have on the rest of his life.
Whilst the subject matter is horrifying there is so much about this book to rejoice in. I love Japanese writing. It always seems very clean and pared back to me. There are no superfluous words in this book, the story is told simply and directly. I loved the insights into Japanese culture and the mindset of the people there during WWII. As a doctor I found Shinji’s description of radiation sickness incredibly interesting. I appreciated the degree of detail he went into. He never shied away from the hard truths even when describing the removal of part of his ear without anaesthetic. The rebuilding of Shinji mirrors that of Hiroshima itself and somehow the story is uplifting.
This is not an easy book to read but I would encourage everyone to pick it up, especially with the world in its current state.
Thanks to the publishers for my advance review copy - all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This incredibly powerful and moving book is one of those accounts that will stay with you for a lifetime. The Hiroshima Boy follows the real-life story of Shinji Mikamo and his father, Fukuichi Mikamo, as they survive the atomic bomb that hit Hiroshima in 1945.
It began just like any other day. On Monday, 6 August 1945, at 8:15 am, Shinji and his father were removing tiles from their roof when, all of a sudden, a massive flash of light and a gigantic fireball blasted towards them.
For the next five days, in unimaginable pain and barely able to walk, the pair roamed the city — once so familiar to them, now full of debris, ash, and the bodies of their neighbours -- searching for help. Shinji’s injuries were so severe he was ready to welcome death, but his father wouldn’t let him.
For Shinji to receive medical treatment for his horrific injuries, he has to part with his father. The book also examines the rebuilding of Hiroshima and Shinji’s life in the aftermath of that fateful day. The survivors of the bomb must find their place in a society where everyone is trying to do the same: find a home and get work. Yet Shinji, like his father, never gives up hope.
Shinji told his story to his daughter, Dr Akiko Mikamo, who honours her father by retelling his account in such a vivid way. The Hiroshima Boy is a stark reminder of hope, courage, and forgiveness—a truly extraordinary read.
It began just like any other day. On Monday, 6 August 1945, at 8:15 am, Shinji and his father were removing tiles from their roof when, all of a sudden, a massive flash of light and a gigantic fireball blasted towards them.
For the next five days, in unimaginable pain and barely able to walk, the pair roamed the city — once so familiar to them, now full of debris, ash, and the bodies of their neighbours -- searching for help. Shinji’s injuries were so severe he was ready to welcome death, but his father wouldn’t let him.
For Shinji to receive medical treatment for his horrific injuries, he has to part with his father. The book also examines the rebuilding of Hiroshima and Shinji’s life in the aftermath of that fateful day. The survivors of the bomb must find their place in a society where everyone is trying to do the same: find a home and get work. Yet Shinji, like his father, never gives up hope.
Shinji told his story to his daughter, Dr Akiko Mikamo, who honours her father by retelling his account in such a vivid way. The Hiroshima Boy is a stark reminder of hope, courage, and forgiveness—a truly extraordinary read.
Review of advance copy
I just finished this book… and I don’t think I will ever shake how it made me feel.
This is not an easy read. It is raw, brutal, and deeply honest l… at times it is almost unbearable in its emotional weight. I found myself crying profusely more than once, overwhelmed not just by the events (which as we all know is horrifying) but by what they reveal about the world we live in. It forces you to confront both the cruelty humans are capable of and, at the same time the extraordinary resilience they can show!
This book has no sugar coating, there is no softening of the truth here, no attempt to make it more palatable, and that is what makes it important. It doesn’t allow you to look away… I will forever carry in my mind the mental image of what those poor people went through… the author has done nothing short of a brilliant job in describing events so vividly.
This is a heartbreaking book… but also an essential one.
Would i recommend it? Yes… and no,
Yes because it is a story that should be read. It is important, eye opening and deeply moving - words can not truly describe how this book made me feel.
But also no.. because it demands a lot from you emotionally. If you are not in a place where you can handle something this heavy, it will be too much. This is not a casual read.. this is a book that stays with you and you will be a different person after finishing it.
For me though, honestly the refusal to soften the reality is exactly why I am glad I read it.
This is not an easy read. It is raw, brutal, and deeply honest l… at times it is almost unbearable in its emotional weight. I found myself crying profusely more than once, overwhelmed not just by the events (which as we all know is horrifying) but by what they reveal about the world we live in. It forces you to confront both the cruelty humans are capable of and, at the same time the extraordinary resilience they can show!
This book has no sugar coating, there is no softening of the truth here, no attempt to make it more palatable, and that is what makes it important. It doesn’t allow you to look away… I will forever carry in my mind the mental image of what those poor people went through… the author has done nothing short of a brilliant job in describing events so vividly.
This is a heartbreaking book… but also an essential one.
Would i recommend it? Yes… and no,
Yes because it is a story that should be read. It is important, eye opening and deeply moving - words can not truly describe how this book made me feel.
But also no.. because it demands a lot from you emotionally. If you are not in a place where you can handle something this heavy, it will be too much. This is not a casual read.. this is a book that stays with you and you will be a different person after finishing it.
For me though, honestly the refusal to soften the reality is exactly why I am glad I read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Hiroshima Boy is mainly Shinji Mikamo's story. Sometimes, the plot drifts away from the Hiroshima bombing to go into more detail about his family and friends' history. If you like diving into historical events through people's lives, this is a nice match to read, not oversaturated with dates and too many details.
The book gives an insider view of pre- and post-Hiroshima bombing events. Lack of food ration supplies, government war propaganda, and disbelief in it, the air of doubt, and neighbours' distrust of one another. The bombing had devastating consequences for a lot of people; this book serves as a great reminder of it.
Favorite quote:
"I felt frustrated at our government's denial of the challenges our nation faced in fighting its large and powerful constellation of enemies. I felt disappointed at their refusal to acknowledge we had been losing this war a long time before it was officially lost. In that time, millions had died, and so many other lives had been destroyed. I was heartbroken because of this great and terrible cost we had paid. These thoughts left me feeling completely lost."
Quick, strong, and immersive read with informative and frank writing.
Thank you, Octopus Publishing US | Monoray, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The book gives an insider view of pre- and post-Hiroshima bombing events. Lack of food ration supplies, government war propaganda, and disbelief in it, the air of doubt, and neighbours' distrust of one another. The bombing had devastating consequences for a lot of people; this book serves as a great reminder of it.
Favorite quote:
"I felt frustrated at our government's denial of the challenges our nation faced in fighting its large and powerful constellation of enemies. I felt disappointed at their refusal to acknowledge we had been losing this war a long time before it was officially lost. In that time, millions had died, and so many other lives had been destroyed. I was heartbroken because of this great and terrible cost we had paid. These thoughts left me feeling completely lost."
Quick, strong, and immersive read with informative and frank writing.
Thank you, Octopus Publishing US | Monoray, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A memoir telling the life of Mikamo Shinji who survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The first part of the memoir tells of his harrowing first few days as the bomb went off, his awful injuries then traipsing round the ruins of the city to find water, drink and medical care for his wounds. He's eventually transferred to a hospital where it's touch and go as to whether he'd make it on several occassions. But recover he does, unlike many others. The second part then tells of his life afterwards - trying to find out what happened to family and friends, surviving in a post apocalyptic city when you've got no support, trying to find both jobs and housing then falling in love and marrying, eventually gaining some financial stability and a future. Heavily influenced by his father, Shinji models empathising with the Americans, understanding their actions and not holding the bomb against them (his anger is directed at the military and war government of Japan instead). A worthwhile read to see the very human cost to civilians of war and a rallying call for us all to be peacemakers, whereever we find ourselves. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Hiroshima Boy by Akiko Mikamo is one of the most powerful and emotionally devastating memoirs I have ever read. Told through the firsthand experiences of Shinji Mikamo, who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as a teenager only 1200 metres from the epicentre, this book is both heartbreaking and deeply human.
What struck me most was the simplicity of the storytelling. There is no unnecessary embellishment—just a raw, honest account of unimaginable suffering, survival, and resilience. The scenes of Shinji and his father wandering through the destroyed city searching for food, water, and medical care were vivid and haunting. The emotional weight of their bond stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Despite the horrific subject matter, this memoir is ultimately filled with hope, compassion, and perseverance. Akiko Mikamo does a beautiful job preserving her father’s voice and experiences while reminding readers of the importance of peace and humanity.
This is not an easy read emotionally, but it is an incredibly important one. A deeply moving testament to survival and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Thank you Akiko Mikamo, Octopus Publishing US | Monoray, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What struck me most was the simplicity of the storytelling. There is no unnecessary embellishment—just a raw, honest account of unimaginable suffering, survival, and resilience. The scenes of Shinji and his father wandering through the destroyed city searching for food, water, and medical care were vivid and haunting. The emotional weight of their bond stayed with me long after I finished reading.
Despite the horrific subject matter, this memoir is ultimately filled with hope, compassion, and perseverance. Akiko Mikamo does a beautiful job preserving her father’s voice and experiences while reminding readers of the importance of peace and humanity.
This is not an easy read emotionally, but it is an incredibly important one. A deeply moving testament to survival and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Thank you Akiko Mikamo, Octopus Publishing US | Monoray, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was one of the most powerful and emotionally affecting historical reads I’ve ever experienced. The Hiroshima Boy tells the story of what happened to the Mikamo family in Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped, but it does so through the eyes of ordinary people whose lives were forever changed. Their stories are heartbreaking, inspiring, and deeply relatable.
What struck me most was how this book went beyond dates and facts. It made history feel personal. I didn’t just learn what happened—I felt it with them. The fear, the loss, the resilience, and the quiet courage of the Japanese people came through on every page. It gave me a much deeper understanding of the real cost of war and the long-lasting impact it had on families and entire communities.
Despite the tragedy, there was also so much strength in this story. The way their community helped one another, survived the unimaginable, and kept going made it incredibly moving. This book left me changed, more aware, and more grateful.
If you want a historical book that truly stays with you, The Hiroshima Boy is an unforgettable and important read.
What struck me most was how this book went beyond dates and facts. It made history feel personal. I didn’t just learn what happened—I felt it with them. The fear, the loss, the resilience, and the quiet courage of the Japanese people came through on every page. It gave me a much deeper understanding of the real cost of war and the long-lasting impact it had on families and entire communities.
Despite the tragedy, there was also so much strength in this story. The way their community helped one another, survived the unimaginable, and kept going made it incredibly moving. This book left me changed, more aware, and more grateful.
If you want a historical book that truly stays with you, The Hiroshima Boy is an unforgettable and important read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. This was a phenomenally well written biography. The main character is Shinji Mikamo who was 19 years old and working on removing roof tiles on the family home (because they were being forced to relocate from their Hiroshima home). He was less than a mile from the atomic bomb's epicenter. The right side of his body (and his back) were badly burned. He and his father were working together and his father helped lead Shinji to safety and they finally found assistance.
Shinji's daughter Akiko Mikamo wrote her father's (and mother's) story. I was really astounded that
The Hiroshima Boy: His Heartbreaking True Story of Survival and Hope was written by someone other than Shinji (the Hiroshima Boy). So well written!
The author did a great job describing Japanese culture. I will be recommending The Hiroshima Boy for years to come.
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Akiko Mikamo and her father Shinji Mikamo and publisher Octopus Publishing US | Monoray for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Hiroshima Boy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended. 5 stars. Unquestionably.
Approx 240 pages, publication date is May 12, 2026.
Shinji's daughter Akiko Mikamo wrote her father's (and mother's) story. I was really astounded that
The Hiroshima Boy: His Heartbreaking True Story of Survival and Hope was written by someone other than Shinji (the Hiroshima Boy). So well written!
The author did a great job describing Japanese culture. I will be recommending The Hiroshima Boy for years to come.
Many thanks to NetGalley, author Akiko Mikamo and her father Shinji Mikamo and publisher Octopus Publishing US | Monoray for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Hiroshima Boy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended. 5 stars. Unquestionably.
Approx 240 pages, publication date is May 12, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dr Akiko Mikamo (psychologist) narrates the harrowing, emotionally draining story of her father, Shinji, who miraculously survived the devastating 1945 Hiroshima bombing. At the age of 19, Shinji was severely burned and buried on his rooftop, a mere 1,200 meters from the epicenter of the catastrophe. Miraculously, his father rescued him, and together they embarked on a perilous journey to escape the inferno and the raging fires, enduring four agonizing days by the riverbank.
Amidst the chaos, Shinji received care in a nearby village, but he was separated from his father, leaving him uncertain about their future reunion.
Through this beautifully crafted narrative, Dr Mikamo examines survival, courage, forgiveness and the enduring power of hope. This biography has had a deeply emotional pull on my heart.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#TheHiroshimaBoy
Amidst the chaos, Shinji received care in a nearby village, but he was separated from his father, leaving him uncertain about their future reunion.
Through this beautifully crafted narrative, Dr Mikamo examines survival, courage, forgiveness and the enduring power of hope. This biography has had a deeply emotional pull on my heart.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#TheHiroshimaBoy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.
I was honored to be able to visit Hiroshima last year. It was a very brief visit, but I got to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and all the other historical sites in that little area. And I remember being so moved by all the images. I read this book, and it broke my heart learning about Shinji's story. How he lost his family, how he was unable to work for a while, learning about his pain, etc. But what inspired me was his attitude towards the whole thing. A little bit of a spoiler, but his father's watch (which recorded when the bombing happened) was donated to a museum, but then it was stolen. Akiko (Shinji's child) was angry about the situation because how can someone be so insensitive? But Shinji maintained the attitude of "it's just an item" and had such a positive outlook on it (wanting to maintain peace). This bombing is a reminder of how cruel the world can be, but how people can come together during a hard time and support one another. Truly a moving story.
I was honored to be able to visit Hiroshima last year. It was a very brief visit, but I got to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and all the other historical sites in that little area. And I remember being so moved by all the images. I read this book, and it broke my heart learning about Shinji's story. How he lost his family, how he was unable to work for a while, learning about his pain, etc. But what inspired me was his attitude towards the whole thing. A little bit of a spoiler, but his father's watch (which recorded when the bombing happened) was donated to a museum, but then it was stolen. Akiko (Shinji's child) was angry about the situation because how can someone be so insensitive? But Shinji maintained the attitude of "it's just an item" and had such a positive outlook on it (wanting to maintain peace). This bombing is a reminder of how cruel the world can be, but how people can come together during a hard time and support one another. Truly a moving story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An absolutely extraordinary book - the title doesn't exaggerate at all! The writing of Akiko's fathers experience of that fateful day of the Hiroshima bomb makes you feel every moment, every experience, pain, utter sadness and hopelessness, small acts of kindness - everything like no other book I've ever read before. It is so hard to put into words the impact this book had on me. I can recall watching a movie in school about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings (around the early 70's) and being taught something along the lines that well they started it but look what we did kind of thing. As a young teenager at the time - you tend to believe what you are taught by your elders. In my opinion, this book should be required reading in all history classes. It is one of the best reads for me ever. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
6 August 1945 at 8.15 am, life changed for Shinji, his family, the inhabitants of Hiroshima, Japan and perhaps the world forever. Hiroshima was already badly damaged from the Second World War - bombed with subsequent fires, Shinji’s family house was ear marked for demolition. He and his father were very near the centre of the explosion and Shinji was badly burnt. He describes in detail the dark, the dust and the debris in the immediate aftermath and his journey for days with his father to try and get medical help under intense sun and with Shinji having lost most of his skin.
This is an extremely powerful read that moved me considerably. The photographs add an extra dimension to the book, making this true account even more real. What courage and will to survive. This book and the courage of Shinji will stay with me. At times I needed to stop and breathe at this never to be repeated, never to be forgotten time. An important, must read book.
This is an extremely powerful read that moved me considerably. The photographs add an extra dimension to the book, making this true account even more real. What courage and will to survive. This book and the courage of Shinji will stay with me. At times I needed to stop and breathe at this never to be repeated, never to be forgotten time. An important, must read book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is a very powerful account of the Hiroshima bombings and the chaos that succeeded. We follow the story of Shinji and his father, Fukuichi, as they try to survive the horrors and injuries caused by the American attacks.
The subject of the narrative is heavy and painful, but the story is quick paced, and the writing voice is to the point — which makes every punch hit harder, and exhibits the harshness of the situation with raw emotion. One of my favorite parts of the book is how Shinji describes his father, and shows his own survival as a result of Fukuichi’s love and efforts. More than that, the way Fukuichi’s actions and wisdom are described make him feel so lovable and human, lending the reader the eyes with which Shinji saw his father.
The book follows on Shinji after the immediate effects of the bombing, which I appreciate. It evidences the long-lasting impacts of war, and the weight of loss and grief throughout one’s life.
I can’t recommend this book enough!
The subject of the narrative is heavy and painful, but the story is quick paced, and the writing voice is to the point — which makes every punch hit harder, and exhibits the harshness of the situation with raw emotion. One of my favorite parts of the book is how Shinji describes his father, and shows his own survival as a result of Fukuichi’s love and efforts. More than that, the way Fukuichi’s actions and wisdom are described make him feel so lovable and human, lending the reader the eyes with which Shinji saw his father.
The book follows on Shinji after the immediate effects of the bombing, which I appreciate. It evidences the long-lasting impacts of war, and the weight of loss and grief throughout one’s life.
I can’t recommend this book enough!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've read a lot of stories, both fictional and true, about WWII from the perspective of British and wider European people with a variety of experiences. Showing a different perspective, Akiko Mikamo's memoir about the fallout from Hiroshima on her father is horrific, and shows exactly why such weapons are so terrifying.
For a memoir, the story did not have the usual depth of emotional reflection - potentially from the shock of such an event, or a cultural difference. However it was still quite a rough read, imaging the terror that residents would have felt as they fled and made hard choices. I haven't really considered the aftermath of Hiroshima for the survivors before, and even after this book it's hard to imagine the scope of the destruction and long term harm.
This must have been a really difficult book for Akiko Mikamo to draft, given the harrowing nature of her father's story, so absolute props for sharing this account of the blast and aftermath, and how people's true nature can come out in times of strife and stress.
4/5
For a memoir, the story did not have the usual depth of emotional reflection - potentially from the shock of such an event, or a cultural difference. However it was still quite a rough read, imaging the terror that residents would have felt as they fled and made hard choices. I haven't really considered the aftermath of Hiroshima for the survivors before, and even after this book it's hard to imagine the scope of the destruction and long term harm.
This must have been a really difficult book for Akiko Mikamo to draft, given the harrowing nature of her father's story, so absolute props for sharing this account of the blast and aftermath, and how people's true nature can come out in times of strife and stress.
4/5
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was everything in one. We once read a book on Hiroshima, for a history competition, and it was utterly heartbreaking. This book is all of that, my heart and whole soul are broken, but at the same time, this book combines that sorrow with determination, strength, courage and a dark tunnel leading to inspiration. They tell the story with such depth that I can feel every moment of it.
This book will have you stopping to think about the past and rising concern for the future, should such weapons make it to the air again, to make to make their years and generations of destruction, death and hurt. This book reminds us of that in such a vivid way. It also reminds us of hope, family and love, in the darkest of times. It is a stunning, but hard to swallow read. A must.
This book will have you stopping to think about the past and rising concern for the future, should such weapons make it to the air again, to make to make their years and generations of destruction, death and hurt. This book reminds us of that in such a vivid way. It also reminds us of hope, family and love, in the darkest of times. It is a stunning, but hard to swallow read. A must.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I am going to Hiroshima next month, so I was keen to learn more about the city and its history. The Hiroshima Boy is a very impactful and poignant book that will stay with me long after. It tells a powerful story of loss, hope, pain, and dreams through the eyes of a young boy named Shinji. The way Shinji’s pain after the bomb falls is described is so vivid that I could almost feel it myself. Some scenes are very hard to read, but they help you understand the human cost of the tragedy. Shinji’s description of the bomb as ‘the sun has exploded’ really made me visualise the impact of this horrible event. I was also deeply touched by the story of his father’s watch, which became a quiet but powerful symbol of memory and love. I was so excited about the prospect of seeing the watch next month, that I cried when the truth was discovered. I am now recommending this book to all my friends as it is an accurate portrait of a horrendous event.
March 14, 2026
This was such a brutal, harrowing read yet the bravery of those who survived and lived life is inspirational.
It is definitely a hard read and I have to say, Akiko has written a very true and raw account of what happened. Her father is a very, VERY brave man for managing to move past what he went through. He is a man of strength.
The story pulls you in straight away, connects you with the characters and is very vivid in details. I thought Shinji and his father had a very beautiful and strong bond. Having went through what they did, they held each other up and motivated them to move on and survive.
I want to say a massive thank you to @randomthingstours and the publishers for sending me a copy of the book. To Akiko Mikamo, your book touched me, your wee Dad really is a brave, strong man. Thank you for writing this.
It is definitely a hard read and I have to say, Akiko has written a very true and raw account of what happened. Her father is a very, VERY brave man for managing to move past what he went through. He is a man of strength.
The story pulls you in straight away, connects you with the characters and is very vivid in details. I thought Shinji and his father had a very beautiful and strong bond. Having went through what they did, they held each other up and motivated them to move on and survive.
I want to say a massive thank you to @randomthingstours and the publishers for sending me a copy of the book. To Akiko Mikamo, your book touched me, your wee Dad really is a brave, strong man. Thank you for writing this.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5⭐
This was such an incredible first-person story that touched me so deeply. I was a mess at the end of chapters one and two, and it just progressed from there.
This is about Shinji, his father and what they were doing leading up to and the exact time of when the Hiroshima bomb was detonated. Shinj, a teenager at the time, tells his story of survival and the last time he sees his father. He also touches on his life, spanning many years of love, suffering and hope.
This story was told by his daughter, Akiko Mikamo, who was raised by two Hiroshima survivors. Akiko Mikamo decided as a child that she wanted to contribute to world peace. She has dedicated her career to promoting peace as a medical psychologist, global executive coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
This was such an incredible first-person story that touched me so deeply. I was a mess at the end of chapters one and two, and it just progressed from there.
This is about Shinji, his father and what they were doing leading up to and the exact time of when the Hiroshima bomb was detonated. Shinj, a teenager at the time, tells his story of survival and the last time he sees his father. He also touches on his life, spanning many years of love, suffering and hope.
This story was told by his daughter, Akiko Mikamo, who was raised by two Hiroshima survivors. Akiko Mikamo decided as a child that she wanted to contribute to world peace. She has dedicated her career to promoting peace as a medical psychologist, global executive coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found this to be a really moving and emotional read. What I loved most about this book was the strong bond between the sisters, I could really feel how much they rely on each other as their world keeps changing around them.
The author does a wonderful job of showing the fear and uncertainty people lived with during the war, while still weaving in moments of hope, love and resilience.
The characters felt very real, and I found myself genuinely caring about what would happen to them. It’s a powerful and heartfelt story about family, courage, and finding strength even in the darkest times. A great read for fans of emotional historical fiction.
The author does a wonderful job of showing the fear and uncertainty people lived with during the war, while still weaving in moments of hope, love and resilience.
The characters felt very real, and I found myself genuinely caring about what would happen to them. It’s a powerful and heartfelt story about family, courage, and finding strength even in the darkest times. A great read for fans of emotional historical fiction.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Akiko Mikamo does an amazing job at telling her father's life story. Shinji went through so much at such a young age. The struggle and pain he went through after the Hiroshima bombing was so difficult to read. It's incredible that he survived being less than a mile from where the bomb hit. His determination to make a life for himself after losing his family is so inspiring.
"My wish is that people may rad this story, relate to the universal notions of forgiveness and empathy, and find a means to apply it in their own lives. With the right intentions, yesterday's enemies can become tomorrows' best friends. That is my vision for the world"
"My wish is that people may rad this story, relate to the universal notions of forgiveness and empathy, and find a means to apply it in their own lives. With the right intentions, yesterday's enemies can become tomorrows' best friends. That is my vision for the world"
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is a painful account by a young Japanese man who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He remembers the day the bomb fell and the difficult journey he went through alone after being separated from his father.
The book is full of suffering, tragedy, and hard moments. His mother died from grief, and his brother was killed in the war. He was the only survivor, left without a home, money, work, or anyone to depend on.
Yet life goes on. In time, he got a second chance. He met the love of his life, got married, and built a happy family. He slowly rebuilt his life and found stability again. Even in the darkest times, there was still some faint hope.
What stood out to me most was how the bombing and the war, in general, affected people psychologically and socially. In such extreme conditions, human nature is exposed in its rawest form, revealing both goodness and cruelty. You find yourself facing people in their most honest and most instinctive state.
“The void that was left behind was pushing people in one direction or another. Some were moved to act with great generosity and kindness. Others veered toward an angry insolence and disrespect, toward indifference and disdain for the welfare of others. I no longer knew what to expect from people. This new reality was, in its own way, as frightening as the physical destruction that had been visited upon us."
A deeply affecting book, despite how heavy and painful it is.
The book is full of suffering, tragedy, and hard moments. His mother died from grief, and his brother was killed in the war. He was the only survivor, left without a home, money, work, or anyone to depend on.
Yet life goes on. In time, he got a second chance. He met the love of his life, got married, and built a happy family. He slowly rebuilt his life and found stability again. Even in the darkest times, there was still some faint hope.
What stood out to me most was how the bombing and the war, in general, affected people psychologically and socially. In such extreme conditions, human nature is exposed in its rawest form, revealing both goodness and cruelty. You find yourself facing people in their most honest and most instinctive state.
“The void that was left behind was pushing people in one direction or another. Some were moved to act with great generosity and kindness. Others veered toward an angry insolence and disrespect, toward indifference and disdain for the welfare of others. I no longer knew what to expect from people. This new reality was, in its own way, as frightening as the physical destruction that had been visited upon us."
A deeply affecting book, despite how heavy and painful it is.
March 27, 2026
What a harrowing, emotional read. You could feel the sadness and anger through the writing and to imagine anyone going through not only the Hiroshima bombing but the many other hurdles that followed, that Shinji and his family endured, is painfully difficult to swallow. The strength and determination of all that survived this travesty is incomprehensible and I feel privileged to have learnt of the Mikamo family.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“At this point, I wasn’t even afraid of dying. The pain was beyond imagination, and I just wanted to be free from it. I longed to feel the sensation of my own death.”
Can you imagine? I cannot and it brings me to tears thinking about anyone going through war. Reading books like this is a reminder that every life is precious and war is pointless and evil.
Can you imagine? I cannot and it brings me to tears thinking about anyone going through war. Reading books like this is a reminder that every life is precious and war is pointless and evil.
Read
April 11, 2026Oh my, the details of surviving an atomic bomb are heartbreaking (cue sobbing and ugly crying), but the empathy and hope of Shinji & the life he rebuilds reigns supreme.
A poignant & beautifully written piece from a time history cannot forget and simply must be told - with heart and humility
A must read!
A poignant & beautifully written piece from a time history cannot forget and simply must be told - with heart and humility
A must read!
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