Stand-In Companion

Red Circle Minis #1

by Kazufumi Shiraishi, Raj Mahtani (Translator)

Stand-In Companion, by the award-winning Japanese author Kazufumi Shiraishi, explores the struggle to find love, companionship and meaning in life. In any society, relationship dynamics are complex. And as Hayato, a Japanese industrial designer will discover in this clever and absorbing tale, this is even the case in a future world enriched by technology, AI and androids.A love story with a twist, Stand-In Companion is a touching and powerful exploration of infertility and relationships. Hayato and his wife, Yutori, face deeply human challenges in a world where science has solved almost every problem. A clever, absorbing and profoundly modern tale from one of Japan’s best and most insightful storytellers.Red Circle Original, Short and Compelling ReadsStand-In Companion is part of Red Circle Minis, a series of short captivating books by Japan’s finest contemporary writers that brings the narratives and voices of Japan together as never before. Each book is a first edition written specifically for the series and is being published in English first.

Genres: Japan, Japanese Literature, Short Stories, Fiction, Science Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

30 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2018

About the author

Kazufumi SHIRAISHI (白石 一文) is a Japanese writer. He is the son of novelist Ichiro Shiraishi. The two are the only father-son pair to have both received the Naoki Prize, the father on his eighth try after numerous disappointments and the son on his second, for the 2009 Hokanaranu hito e (To an Incomparable Other); at his prize press conference the son got a laugh by joking that he had always "hated" the Naoki because of the grief it had put his father through. The younger Shiraishi's first job out of college was as an editor and magazine reporter at Bungeishunju. He published his first work, Isshun no hikari (A Ray of Light), in 2000, and three years later quit his company to become a full-time writer. In 2009 he received the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize for Kono mune ni fukabuka to tsukisasaru ya o nuke (Remove That Arrow from Deep in My Heart); other novels include Suna no ue no anata (You upon the Sands; 2010). Shiraishi's stance toward love and life powerfully informs many of his works, lending them a philosophical ring.

Source：http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Analogous
Stand-in Companion is a unique and compelling short story from the award-winning Japanese author Kazufumi Shiraishi. The story alternates between two competing scenarios involving a married couple - Hayato and his wife Yutori. In a future, where a population explosion has deemed it illegal to use IVF as an aid to pregnancy, Yutori and Hayato are desperate to have a child so much so that it consumes their primary goals and focus. With such an exhausting aspiration they have forgotten to live life, love each other and recognise what they do have. They are haunted by respective medical problems that make it extremely difficult to conceive a child.

In one existence Yutori has become pregnant by another man and will now end her marriage to Hayato and focus on her new family. Hayato who is betrayed, broken-hearted and grasping the disaster that has befallen his life applies to the Human Rights Relief Committee to secure a Stand-in Companion.

“This led the committee agreeing to employ exceptional measures; renting free of charge for a ten-year period, an android unit, a stand-in companion; while also ordering Yutori, the spouse responsible for the breakup, to have her memories duplicated using Memory Copying into the stand-in companion.”

The android unit is provided with the same legal protections as a human, and it will believe itself to be human.

In a parallel scenario, Hayato gets another woman pregnant and wants a divorce to maintain his new family, citing Yutori’s medical issue and the precedence of having a child. Feeling betrayed, sad and lonely, Yutori applies to the Human Rights Relief Committee to secure a Stand-in Companion. They are both successful.

As the years pass an ambiguity is woven into the story by creating uncertainty amongst the voices from each of the four characters; who is human and who is android. The story very cleverly probes into the deeper needs of a partner. Was it really all about having a child and as fond memories about the early years of their relationship start to come through, perhaps the wrong decision and actions were made? I do enjoy stories that encourage a deeper philosophical consideration of their meaning, and this book certainly does that from a few perspectives.

Robotics and the pursuit of androids are very much engrained in modern Japanese psyche and the story very cleverly captures this convergence of synthetic versus nature. The story also probed into nature versus nature and what we hold as valuable in loving relationships. Perhaps the final position would be synthetic versus synthetic and with a future undecided, that may be a possible ending.

I would recommend this book and I’d like to thank Richard Nathan from Red Circle Authors for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.

[Trish Parkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a confusing black mirror episode.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this lil mini about AI and love while sipping coffee overlooking Shibuya crossing. How LOVELY.

[peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book is part of a new series introducing English readers to important contemporary Japanese writers. The plot involves a married couple who employ science fiction techniques to produce an identical partner after losing each other in a divorce. Evidently Japan has a history of excellent robot literature and this is definitely a part of that. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Alex Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Kazufumi Shiraishi is one of Japan's master storytellers. In this futuristic tale, he explores themes of love, loss and infertility in a cold and calculated world governed by technology and artificial intelligence. Powerful and thought-provoking, this tale will stay with you long after turning the last page.
Alex Pearl, author of 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'

[Geoffrey Whitehall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Japan Times published its review of this book under the headline: “Androids, infertility and ethics collide in Kazufumi Shiraishi's dystopian 'Stand-in Companion'” which is a good summary. But this short book, which really pulls you in with its imagination and skill, to me was more a narrative about the human condition, and how to find happiness and understanding, when things don’t go your way; be it due to infertility, betrayal, jealously or whatever awkward fate life throws up for young couples these days, or in possible future worlds. Its series format designed to be a quick compelling read worked for me and left me with a sense that I had read a major work in a very short time which lingered in the right way like the best French films do when it ended.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Stand-In Companion' is both a love story and a window to a dystopian future where technology has advanced to solve almost every problem - but not for childless couple, Yutori and Hayato. Exploring the themes of infertility, companionship, guilt, blame, love, grief and loyalty, the novella is a clever and powerful piece that asks the biggest of questions. Blending sci-fi with the most profound of human challenges, 'Stand-In Companion is an oddly uplifting and affirming story about what is really important in life.

[Dermot O'Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kazufumi Shiraishi explores a number of universal themes in this fascinating read set against a background of a dystopian future where are our lives are increasingly dominated by technology and artificial intelligence. The story is masterfully written, as one would expect from an author of his reputation and the themes of human relationships and infertility are explored with sensitivity and skill. The increasing domination of our lives by technology is also examined in a way which, while sometimes disturbing is always fascinating.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grief and jealousy do not have an AI solution. Well told. Recommended. One of three publications that launch a welcome new series of short-format contemporary fiction translated from Japanese. Paperback or Kindle (¥499 for readers in Japan).

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story. It was unlike anything I had read before. It's unique thought provoking story will leave you contemplating philosophy, life and love. I would highly recommend giving this a read

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
For a tiny book, this one sure does pack a punch. I'm certain I'll read this one again.

It took almost no time at all to read this mini story - I was probably finished in under an hour. But "finished" is perhaps not the right word... I just know that this story will stay with me.

I'm not going to go too much into depth here, since I don't want to completely spoil the story. But beware - there's not much I can say without at least spoiling parts of it. So, if you would like to leave my review at this point, completely unspoiled but with a strong recommendation, please feel free to do so. If you want to know a little more, read on...

The story centres around husband and wife duo, Hayato and Yutori. Beginning with the most innocent of introductions - a drive home - the story quickly adds layer upon complex layer until you have a much more intriguing plot than you might have initially expected for a story of only 43 pages.

The narrative switches quickly and easily between Hayato's point of view, and then Yutori's - this back and forth approach to the story is part of the reason it is just so good and keeps you, the reader, guessing throughout. Right from the outset, the book delves deep into emotions, and their causes and their consequences.

Add to this the fact that this story is set in a future world with advanced AI technology and special laws governing procreation, and you have a deeply thought-provoking little story.

I don't think I've ever read a book quite this small, or at least not since I was very young. For this reason, the size of the story made me sceptical, initially. But now I've read it, I can see it's the exact right size for this kind of book. It's just better that it's this short. It's hard to explain, but trust me on it - it's definitely worth the read.

Another thing I would like to review is the quality of the translation, which is extremely high. The translator of this story was Raj Matani, and unfortunately this book has been published posthumously as he passed away in 2018 - a real shame, he was clearly a very skilled translator. Sometimes, you feel like a book has been translated, due to little jarring sentences which don't quite feel right. But this one, I honestly didn't notice the translation - the language was completely fluid and natural to read. Very impressive.

Also, I would like to say that I was sent this book as part of the Red Circle Minis series by Red Circle Authors - which I am so grateful for. This has not affected my review, and my thoughts here are honest.

[Elif · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like dystopian literature, you may like this one.

https://elifthereader.com/books/stand...

[B.S. Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayato is a successful industrial designer in Japan, in a future world full of progressive technology and AI. After his less than amicable divorce, he's assigned a stand in - an android to provide realistic companionship. But can you replicate that? This may be an advanced world, but even the most impressive technological strides can't solve the most basic of human desires - finding love, connection and true meaning in life.

In only 42 pages, Shiraishi creates an entire world. A beautiful new universe than feels like both utopia and dystopia at the same time - with a stark juxtaposition between magnificent technology and human achievement, marked against the dark side of government oppression and control. I felt like I knew the world, connected with it, and that is a testament to the masterful writing in this story.

The writing style is descriptive and somewhat poetic, but still saying concise and clearly without any filler. This little book provokes the reader to think about the truths behind AI and true autonomy.

Instead of a story, I'd describe Stand-In Companion as a striking snapshot of a distant yet unsettlingly familiar future.

[Richard N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent example of the short story format and shows how powerful short form fiction can be when done well. I am not surprised the author has won prizes in Japan. The narrative develops and unfolds carefully and brilliantly draws you in. It is a thought-provoking tale that stays with you even after you have finished it and makes you consider reading it again, immediately! Despite being set in the near future it is not your typical predictable robot/sci-fi book, it deals with imperfection and coming to terms with unexpected reality, as well as jealousy, love and forgiveness. The publisher describes the series as 'Original, Short and Compelling Reads'. A quick read. I read the book in one session, a rare Sunday pleasure, and it felt more substantial than its mere page-length and for me Stand-in Companion is exactly how the publisher positioned it, as well as being terrific introduction to this Japanese author.

[Matt Casbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story about love and marriage in the near future, one influenced by advancements in androids and AI. The protagonists live in a world in which there are strict population controls that put unusual pressures on couples and what happens when they must choose between children and their marriage and the emotional fallout left behind from broken dreams and promises. The story is reflective of Japanese society, wherein today we see ‘family for hire’ to emulate an intimate connection with other people. Shiraishi takes this concept one step further by introducing the wonders of technology and explores the implications of using simulated love in place of the real thing.

[Ian Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, though short, passes itself slowly to unwind first one level, then more and more levels, of questions about what it is to be human and what it is to be in a relationship.

There is a sadness and touching beauty to this novella, with just a little vagueness and confusion, appropriate to the ideas under examination.

Full review soon on blog:

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the fourth time of asking, a piece in this series I really could take to. A surprisingly futuristic look at love, connections in relationships, trust, honesty and all that that entails. Well worth discovering - all half an hour of it.

[Books on Asia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story left us wanting to read more! A wonderfully bizarre and futuristic story.

[Sarah Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read in the Red circle. These short stories are perfect to get you thinking. This book touches on emotions and a futuristic scene!

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Sebuah novel yg bercerita tentang Hayato, seorang desainer industri di Jepang & istrinya, Yutori.

Di dunia masa depan yg dipenuhi dgn teknologi canggih, AI & android, Hayato & Yutori menghadapi masalah, di mana mereka tdk bisa memiliki anak.

Utk mengatasi kesepian & kekosongan dlm hidup mereka, mereka memutuskan utk menggunakan android sbg teman pengganti. Android ini tdk hanya menjadi teman, tp jg bagian dari solusi utk mengisi kekosongan emosional mereka.

Namun, seiring berjalannya waktu, Hayato & Yutori menyadari bahwa kehadiran android ini tdk sepenuhnya bisa menggantikan kebutuhan mereka akan cinta & hubungan yg sebenarnya.

🕵️‍♀️ Novel ini ditulis dgn POV ketiga, di mana aku bisa melihat ke dalam pikiran & perasaan Hayato dan Yutori. Narasi yg menggambarkan perasaan Hayato ketika pertama kali mempertimbangkan android sbg solusi terasa personal & mendalam ❤️

Teknologi AI & android yg digunakan oleh Hayato & Yutori digambarkan dgn jelas tentang dunia masa depan yg mereka tinggali 🔥

Gaya bahasanya sederhana tetapi penuh makna membuat cerita ini mudah dipahami & tetap menyentuh ❤️

Alur ceritanya jelas, dimulai dgn pengenalan masalah infertilitas, lalu berkembang dgn keputusan mereka menggunakan android, hingga puncak konflik ketika mereka sadar bahwa android tdk bisa memenuhi kebutuhan emosional mereka 🙃

Hayata digambarkan sbg seorang pria yg emosional, sedangkan Yutori sbg istri yg lembut & penuh kasih sayang ❤️

Karakter mereka berkembang dgn baik 💪 Namun, beberapa karakter sampingannya kurang dikembangkan. Contohnya, karakter rekan kerja Hayato tidak memiliki latar belakang yang kuat.

Di samping itu, dialognya reflektif sukses menambah kedalaman karakter mereka 💪 Dialog mereka ketika membicarakan solusi utk infertilitas mereka membuat aku terhubung dgn emosi mereka 💪

Novel ini mengangkat tema yg menyentuh tentang cinta, komitmen & makna hidup di era teknologi canggih 🔥 Masalah yg dihadapi Hayato & Yutori tentang infertilitas & keputusan mereka utk menggunakan android adalah bukti bagaimana teknologi mencoba mengisi kekosongan emosional manusia 🙂

💌 Novel ini menyampaikan pesan yg kuat tentang pentingnya hubungan manusia & cinta sejati dalam menghadapi situasi sulit.

[Annie Yotova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some time in the near future, a report about the Earth population had forced most of the world to implement a ban on almost any reproductive and fertility treatments - no IVF, no surgical or non-surgical treatments even for curable cases. And in this future Japan, the government had gone a few steps further - not only a pregnancy has a higher priority to a marriage (so if you get pregnant by someone else, your divorce is almost automatic) but a pregnancy outside of a marriage is terminated by law. But as families are important in Japan, there are also the companions - androids who get the memories and bodies of a spouse (or a child, or a parent) who had died or moved on and which allow the bereaved (or left behind) person to spend another 10 years with their loved one.

Hayato and Yutori have their own issues which would make a baby unlikely. And yet they try. The story is told in two viewpoints - hers and his and before long, things just stop adding up. By the middle of the second chapter, it becomes clear that each of the them is actually telling us a different story - that the common story they appeared to narrate diverged somewhere along the lines and it is not just an unreliable narrator (or 2) that causes the incompatibilities. As the companions are introduced early on, the explanation is obvious - although it takes awhile for everything to snap into a single picture and the story even manages to surprise a reader here and there.

Despite its setting, the story is really a meditation on what family means and what is important in a relationship. It works better than I expected despite its somewhat convoluted structure and I enjoyed piecing the story together. And while some more depth may have added to the story, I found it touching and powerful even at this length.

[Russell Hogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am generally a fan of short science fiction. I think it is a really good way to help you think about current trends but in an entertaining and human way. I really enjoyed this look at how advances in AI are allow machines to take part in (usurp?) our emotional lives.

[Kasper Daems · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concept, even greater execution. In around twenty, fun-to-read pages, big themes like resentment, goals & dreams, and relationship dynamics are portrayed in such a way as to surely evoke some reaction

[zhaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐3.5 such unique writing style

[Christopher Hood · Rating 3 out of 5]

For my review see my blog post here: https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/08/...

[Geoffrey Whitehall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Japan Times published its review of this book under the headline: “Androids, infertility and ethics collide in Kazufumi Shiraishi's dystopian 'Stand-in Companion'” which is a good summary. But this short book, which really pulls you in with its imagination and skill, to me was more a narrative about the human condition, and how to find happiness and understanding, when things don’t go your way; be it due to infertility, betrayal, jealously or whatever awkward fate life throws up for young couples these days, or in possible future worlds. Its series format designed to be a quick compelling read worked for me and left me with a sense that I had read a major work in a very short time which lingered in the right way like the best French films do when it ended.

[Taina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reilut 40 sivua tulevaisuudesta, jossa puolison voi vaihtaa androidiin. Tässä novellissa vaihdon syynä toisen osapuolen hedelmättömyys ja pettäminen. Mutta kuka vaihtaa ja kenet? Kiinnostava, mutta jotenkin junnaava.

[dwmonkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely pulled me in. It's SF focused on a husband and wife relationship with some issues... I need to take my time and read it again.

[Stuart West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius. After finishing, started straight away again and read 2nd time.