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Red Circle Minis #2
Backlight
This thought-provoking and intriguing tale, by the Akutagawa Prize-nominated master short story writer Kanji Hanawa, revolves around the extraordinary real story of the seven-year-old boy who went missing in the bear-inhabited forests of northern Japan for six whole days in 2016, after his parents had apparently abandoned him as a punishment.
In Backlight, a child is left alone at the side of a road in the mountains of Hokkaido in northern Japan by his parents. When they return moments later, the boy is gone. Ishida, a Professor of Psychology is enlisted as part of the search team.
As days pass, the search goes on and the number of people involved reaches more than one thousand. Ishida and his colleagues assess, analyse and discuss mostly at a safe and comfortable distance, taking them on their own journey from theories concerning the whereabouts of the child, to the very heart of the Japanese psyche.
A complex and challenging look at an unfolding emergency, a culture and a country.
Red Circle Minis: Original, Short and Compelling Reads
Backlight 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.
In Backlight, a child is left alone at the side of a road in the mountains of Hokkaido in northern Japan by his parents. When they return moments later, the boy is gone. Ishida, a Professor of Psychology is enlisted as part of the search team.
As days pass, the search goes on and the number of people involved reaches more than one thousand. Ishida and his colleagues assess, analyse and discuss mostly at a safe and comfortable distance, taking them on their own journey from theories concerning the whereabouts of the child, to the very heart of the Japanese psyche.
A complex and challenging look at an unfolding emergency, a culture and a country.
Red Circle Minis: Original, Short and Compelling Reads
Backlight 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.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 4, 2020
Searching
An unnamed Japanese family leave their seven-year-old son at the side of a mountain road and drive off to teach him a lesson. Ten minutes later they return and he is missing. Various experts and searchers are brought in to help find the child and the search parties grow to one thousand people over a six-day period.
Momose and Ishida are two psychology professors at the university and help assess the situation and possible choices the child may have made. They consult with each other and proffer different scenarios to the searchers as to how the young boy may have reacted and which direction he may have travelled. They analysed why he should have travelled up the mountain, down the mountain, in search of water, in search of warmth, to follow the road, not to follow the road, and all the time worried about hypothermia.
I had a feeling that the moral of the story would be that for all the complexity our minds can conceive, the answer is often simple and staring us straight in the face. That wasn't the outcome, and it ended very abruptly and without incident. Ishida did contemplate; had the boy seen the same demons he saw as a child and did his professional work shine a spotlight on people's issues or was this all a profound backlight to his own self-assessment and realisation of himself.
I just didn't get the story although it is well written with a great flow. I would like to thank Richard Nathan from Red Circle Authors for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
An unnamed Japanese family leave their seven-year-old son at the side of a mountain road and drive off to teach him a lesson. Ten minutes later they return and he is missing. Various experts and searchers are brought in to help find the child and the search parties grow to one thousand people over a six-day period.
Momose and Ishida are two psychology professors at the university and help assess the situation and possible choices the child may have made. They consult with each other and proffer different scenarios to the searchers as to how the young boy may have reacted and which direction he may have travelled. They analysed why he should have travelled up the mountain, down the mountain, in search of water, in search of warmth, to follow the road, not to follow the road, and all the time worried about hypothermia.
I had a feeling that the moral of the story would be that for all the complexity our minds can conceive, the answer is often simple and staring us straight in the face. That wasn't the outcome, and it ended very abruptly and without incident. Ishida did contemplate; had the boy seen the same demons he saw as a child and did his professional work shine a spotlight on people's issues or was this all a profound backlight to his own self-assessment and realisation of himself.
I just didn't get the story although it is well written with a great flow. I would like to thank Richard Nathan from Red Circle Authors for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
April 29, 2019
We appreciated receiving these "Red Circle Minis" review copies that introduce Japanese authors to English speakers through a short story written expressly for Red Circle. This one, 50 pages long, is I believe, based on a recent true story that made the newspapers in Japan regarding an incident in which a child's parents left their unruly 7-year-old on the side of the road to teach him discipline. As the search for the child ensues, over a 6-day period, the author briefly considers different aspects of such a disciplinary action, from the proposed POV of the child, child psychologists, and even the narrator himself. For better or for worse, comparisons of child-rearing in Western countries versus Japan are discussed as well as the consideration of elements of cruelty in folk tales of different cultures. In the end, an interesting discussion that makes a delightful, quick, read.
August 26, 2021
This book utterly and completely exceeded my expectations. Without doubt, 5/5 stars.
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing of the plot. I think it was best that way. So again, if you would like to leave my review now, with no knowledge of the story but an exceedingly strong recommendation to read this tiny gem of a story, please feel free. If you wish to know more, including mild spoilers, read on...
These Red Circle Minis throw you into the story quickly, simply because they are so short. I actually quite like this speedy introduction to the storytelling - the very first page will draw you in and captivate you, no matter how many other distractons are filling your head at the time you begin reading.
This short story is actually focused on the true account of a 7 year old boy who went missing in Japan in 2016, after his parents drove off and left him on a mountain - as a form of parental discipline. It's not an account that I was familiar with, and I didn't actually realise I was reading a true story until I finished (I don't tend to read blurbs until I've finished the book).
This story has been constructed using substantive points from Mamoru Ishida's case memo (Ishida was a psychologist on the scene). Now, psychology is something that interests me to the same degree as a croissant - that is, I like it and when I come across it, I find it an enjoyable, interesting experience but it's not something that I often actively seek out, or could claim to be knowledgeable about.
This book gave me a whole new perspective on psychology. To start with, I really could not see why multiple psychologists were included in the team of experts at the incident centre. Yet, as I read on, I could see how completely valuable their input was to the search.
This story is mostly made up of the dialogue between various psychologists, revolving around the topic of the child's disappearance. If that description doesn't grip you, then you're going to have to trust me on this - it's intensely interesting.
I learned far more about Japanese culture than I thought 50 pages could teach me. In fact, I even learned about European culture and history, too. There is just so much included in this miniature book! This is one I will never stop talking about, I can tell. It was unexpected in all the best ways, and every page taught something.
This is also another extremely high quality translation from Red Circle, seamlessly integrating Japanese culture and concepts into the English language, in an understandable and relateable way. This small book provides a view of Japan which English speakers otherwise would not have access to. After finishing this, I immediately Googled the news stories of the real life account. Those reports captured absolutely nothing of the deep meaning and ethnology that this short story portrayed so well.
Again, 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.
I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing of the plot. I think it was best that way. So again, if you would like to leave my review now, with no knowledge of the story but an exceedingly strong recommendation to read this tiny gem of a story, please feel free. If you wish to know more, including mild spoilers, read on...
These Red Circle Minis throw you into the story quickly, simply because they are so short. I actually quite like this speedy introduction to the storytelling - the very first page will draw you in and captivate you, no matter how many other distractons are filling your head at the time you begin reading.
This short story is actually focused on the true account of a 7 year old boy who went missing in Japan in 2016, after his parents drove off and left him on a mountain - as a form of parental discipline. It's not an account that I was familiar with, and I didn't actually realise I was reading a true story until I finished (I don't tend to read blurbs until I've finished the book).
This story has been constructed using substantive points from Mamoru Ishida's case memo (Ishida was a psychologist on the scene). Now, psychology is something that interests me to the same degree as a croissant - that is, I like it and when I come across it, I find it an enjoyable, interesting experience but it's not something that I often actively seek out, or could claim to be knowledgeable about.
This book gave me a whole new perspective on psychology. To start with, I really could not see why multiple psychologists were included in the team of experts at the incident centre. Yet, as I read on, I could see how completely valuable their input was to the search.
This story is mostly made up of the dialogue between various psychologists, revolving around the topic of the child's disappearance. If that description doesn't grip you, then you're going to have to trust me on this - it's intensely interesting.
I learned far more about Japanese culture than I thought 50 pages could teach me. In fact, I even learned about European culture and history, too. There is just so much included in this miniature book! This is one I will never stop talking about, I can tell. It was unexpected in all the best ways, and every page taught something.
This is also another extremely high quality translation from Red Circle, seamlessly integrating Japanese culture and concepts into the English language, in an understandable and relateable way. This small book provides a view of Japan which English speakers otherwise would not have access to. After finishing this, I immediately Googled the news stories of the real life account. Those reports captured absolutely nothing of the deep meaning and ethnology that this short story portrayed so well.
Again, 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.
November 28, 2018
In 2016, a seven-year-old boy was misbehaving in his parents' car while his father was driving through a forest in Northern Japan. By way of punishment, his father stopped the car and ordered his son to get out. The family drove on a little further and then turned back to fetch the son. But unfortunately, the boy had decided not to wait, and had literally gone missing. The story hit the headlines not only in Japan, but right across the globe. And for several days the story grabbed the world's headlines.
In this tale by Kanji Hanawa, the well known Japanese master of the short story, we view the narrative from the perspective of Ishida, a Professor of Psychology and a team of child psychiatrists and academics who are brought in to help the 1,000 or so searchers to locate the missing child. While our protagonist and his colleagues grapple with themes of child psychology, family dynamics and the influence of legends and fairytales on the collective consciousness, this case has the effect of making Ishida reflect on his own childhood. Ultimately, this is a profound tale that concerns identity and self-worth.
Alex Pearl is author of 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'
In this tale by Kanji Hanawa, the well known Japanese master of the short story, we view the narrative from the perspective of Ishida, a Professor of Psychology and a team of child psychiatrists and academics who are brought in to help the 1,000 or so searchers to locate the missing child. While our protagonist and his colleagues grapple with themes of child psychology, family dynamics and the influence of legends and fairytales on the collective consciousness, this case has the effect of making Ishida reflect on his own childhood. Ultimately, this is a profound tale that concerns identity and self-worth.
Alex Pearl is author of 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'
June 7, 2019
Really reminiscent of Hideo Yokoyama. People at their jobs in the midst of forthcoming tragedy.
Full Review Soon:
Full Review Soon:
August 18, 2020
*Score: 5/10*
A short story based on a real event in 2016 of a 7 year old boy who got punished by parents by being abandoned in a forest for few minutes, only for him to disappear for 6 days.
Great premise, which is what got me excited to read it. Everything else is very mediocre: plain writing, zero personality, predictable with a supbar ending that makes the whole book feel a bit pointless.
It felt like an essay on child psychology forced into a plot, with characters existing only to make it seem like a story as all of them speak like an article being read instead of actual people. Not recommended.
A short story based on a real event in 2016 of a 7 year old boy who got punished by parents by being abandoned in a forest for few minutes, only for him to disappear for 6 days.
Great premise, which is what got me excited to read it. Everything else is very mediocre: plain writing, zero personality, predictable with a supbar ending that makes the whole book feel a bit pointless.
It felt like an essay on child psychology forced into a plot, with characters existing only to make it seem like a story as all of them speak like an article being read instead of actual people. Not recommended.
December 3, 2018
There's so much to unpack in this novella. Taking a real-life incident in Japan as inspiration 'Backlight' covers the subjects of childhood, family, abandonment and combines it with deep-rooted cultural norms in both Japan and Europe. The result is a short read that expands well beyond the limits of the pages, creating an atmosphere that is almost visceral and gives an almost cinematic feel to the story of the search for a missing child. This is a story that will haunt you.
September 25, 2019
Ideansa tämä näytelmämäinen novelli sai tositapauksesta, jossa vanhemmat jättivät lapsensa yksin metsään rangaistuksena niskoittelusta. Katoamispaikalle kutsutaan psykologeja pohtimaan, mitä lapsi on ajatellut ja miten mahdollisesti toiminut kyseisessä tilanteessa. Pienimuotoinen, ihmisyyttä luotaava kokonaisuus.
August 26, 2021
I remembered the news of the boy in Japan, who's parents decided to discipline him by leaving him in a forest overnight. Here Hanawa allows us to focus on the moral and philosophical questions of the event through the eyes of a psychologist who is part of the police team. And wow, Hanawa does not pull any punches in this short story. A great gift for a family debate - can you imagine?!
December 5, 2020
A nice tiny book about differences between eastern and western ideas of identity, both within a family and as a culture.
October 16, 2024
This is a pretty interesting if not for me wholly satisfying read. It focuses on conversations between psychologists during the disappearance of a child who has been left briefly by his parents by the side of the road for misbehaving during a car journey. They spend their time analysing the Japanese psyche in comparison to European/American ones to see how that could impact on the abandoned child’s decision making as well as veering on to topics like European fairytales and how they affect our perception of this sort of ‘lost in the woods’ scenario. It sounds odd, but it does fit together. The downside to me was the length - it’s a short story really (the clue is in the fact that it’s a Red Circle Mini). It probably didn’t need to be much longer but all the same it does feel as if it ends rather unnecessarily abruptly.
March 23, 2019
This is a Mini-Masterpiece based on a true story that made the front pages of the Evening Standard in London. An insightful look at Japan from a host of angles, psychological storytelling at its very best. It feels like a much larger work given that it is part of a series of mini books, about 50 pages, and I am really pleased I read it in its pocket-size print format. A delightful format which is being pitched by its publisher as: - Short Japanese Books in English!
December 15, 2019
This is nothing like I’ve read before and the story is right up my alley. I got lost a lot of times while I was little, so this took me back and brought out all the feelings.
https://elifthereader.com/books/backl...
https://elifthereader.com/books/backl...
November 27, 2018
I remember the incident this was based on, so it was interesting to read such in-depth thinking about it (in fictional form). Would really like to read the Japanese, but these Red Circle Minis are English-first, so who knows if/when the Japanese will appear?
January 13, 2020
An intriguing publishers' series, and an intriguing premise, don't actually come up with the goods on this occasion. The story is concerning the psychologists observing a missing child case, as opposed to the actual case itself, and boy do they witter on in high-falutin' ways. What's even worse, they witter on with all the dialogue presented as stage dialogue, so just name followed by colon followed by verbosity. I don't totally object to that format, but in this instance it really pushed me further from the heart of the story, making me feel this was too Japanese, even if it was written to be printed in English first.
May 1, 2019
This starts out as a tale of every family’s worst nightmare, that of a missing child, but quickly widens its scope to an insightful examination of Japan, its culture and its national psyche. The book is sometimes challenging but always a fascinating read that will draw you in from the initial story to the deeper issues of family relationships it examines. The translation is seamless and, having read this book, I would be keen to read further work from the author. Excellent!
April 12, 2020
Based on a real story, this ingenious short story contrasts Japanese cultural values with western ideas about raising children and the meaning of family. What begins as an innocent exchange between father and son leads to a week-long search for a missing child in the forests of Japan. We follow the investigation through the eyes of lead psychologists who attempt to trace the boy’s whereabouts knowing what they know about him and about family dynamics in Japan. A very insightful story.
January 11, 2019
This is one of the first publications from the ground-breaking new imprint Red Circle, which gives unique access to Japanese culture and literature. "Backlight" is one of their first short story "Minis", by an acclaimed Japanese short story and novella writer. It offers insights into an extraordinary recent real-life story in Japan, and is sensitively translated into English by Richard Nathan.
February 18, 2021
Based on the true story of the 2016 events whereby a 7 year old boy was left roadside in the Hokkaido mountains of Japan by way of punishment for his behaviour on a road trip.
This was a short, plain and easy little read, however not nearly as captivating as I'd of hoped.
This was a short, plain and easy little read, however not nearly as captivating as I'd of hoped.
August 28, 2020
I couldn't put this book down. It is highly intriguing. I would recommend this page turner! Give it a read to find out for yourself.
November 7, 2023
Spooky, moving, thought-provoking, well-paced, poorly translated. Would love love LOVE a full-length version of this methinks.
December 10, 2023
Americans treat their children horribly. Also, I thought there would be more bears
August 27, 2020
For my review see my blog post here: https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/08/...
February 19, 2024
I felt like I was reading news articles about a losing child, which wasn’t supposed to be that way because it was a fiction. Thoughts on the way to punish a child are not at all controversial, it’s like a black-and-white topic, in my opinion. I mean letting a child on a mountain alone is wrong, who would disagree. This would make a great thriller otherwise, if it’s longer or more exploring on parents’ feelings after their child goes missing.
November 15, 2024
It offers a glimpse into a story of suspense and mystery but ultimately left me wanting more.
The plot revolves around a gripping mystery based on real-life events, and it could have benefited from more depth. The characters could have also been detailed and developed further to create a stronger emotional connection, as some moments felt rushed, leaving me wishing for a deeper exploration of their motivations and backgrounds.
It is worth a read for fans of quick stories, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for a more complex and immersive experience.
The plot revolves around a gripping mystery based on real-life events, and it could have benefited from more depth. The characters could have also been detailed and developed further to create a stronger emotional connection, as some moments felt rushed, leaving me wishing for a deeper exploration of their motivations and backgrounds.
It is worth a read for fans of quick stories, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for a more complex and immersive experience.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews