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Black Dragonfly
The year is 1890. Western influences are flooding into Japan. A nomadic Irishman arrives to record this unique culture before it vanishes.
In this richly imagined novel, late nineteenth century Japan is brought vividly to life. Based on the remarkable experiences of the Irish writer, Lafcadio Hearn, and drawing on his letters, essays and books, Jean Pasley explores not only Hearn’s stark, lonely childhood in Ireland and his scandalous time in America but also how Japan changed him and how he went on to become one of Japan’s most celebrated and cherished writers.
In this richly imagined novel, late nineteenth century Japan is brought vividly to life. Based on the remarkable experiences of the Irish writer, Lafcadio Hearn, and drawing on his letters, essays and books, Jean Pasley explores not only Hearn’s stark, lonely childhood in Ireland and his scandalous time in America but also how Japan changed him and how he went on to become one of Japan’s most celebrated and cherished writers.
260 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2021
5 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Jean Pasley
1 book3 followersJean Pasley writes mostly for film but also for stage and radio. Her screenplays have won
numerous awards and include How About You, based on a Maeve Binchy short story. Her most
recent screenplay as co-writer, The Bright Side, won The Audience Award at Cork International Film Festival 2020.
She lived in Japan for many years but now lives in Dublin, next door to one ofLafcadio Hearn’s childhood homes. This is her first novel.
numerous awards and include How About You, based on a Maeve Binchy short story. Her most
recent screenplay as co-writer, The Bright Side, won The Audience Award at Cork International Film Festival 2020.
She lived in Japan for many years but now lives in Dublin, next door to one ofLafcadio Hearn’s childhood homes. This is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 8, 2021
This book is an atmospheric, historically accurate, super good read about a man who had nearly everything against him until middle age. He traveled a good bit and ended up in Japan in 1890 at the age of 40 where he created an astoundingly happy and creative life. He married a Japanese woman, took Japanese citizenship and the name Koizumi Yakumo, raised a family and succeeded as an author. He’s one of the most highly revered writers in the country’s history.
Jean Pasley has an uncanny way of telling Hearn’s life story from a big-picture perspective with often-unusual details of each scene—truly a “big world” biographical story that does not crawl through dry facts like a Wikipedia article, but gives us live vignettes that slowly resolve into the colorful picture of Hearn’s life.
It’s very well written, smoothly flowing, unpadded, and intriguing. I’ve always liked Hearn but never knew all this about him. It’s biographical but reads like a novel. I loved it!
There are such good contrasts, both cultural and unexpected: Mt Fuji so romantic and breathtakingly beautiful from a distance but grittier than we expect when climbing it (I didn’t know that)—Hearn’s love affair with Japan so deeply and exactly explained when too many expat stories are superficial, “oh, look at that”; this goes to the core of how that difference made an impact on a natural-born expat like Hearn.
Most highly recommended!!
Jean Pasley has an uncanny way of telling Hearn’s life story from a big-picture perspective with often-unusual details of each scene—truly a “big world” biographical story that does not crawl through dry facts like a Wikipedia article, but gives us live vignettes that slowly resolve into the colorful picture of Hearn’s life.
It’s very well written, smoothly flowing, unpadded, and intriguing. I’ve always liked Hearn but never knew all this about him. It’s biographical but reads like a novel. I loved it!
There are such good contrasts, both cultural and unexpected: Mt Fuji so romantic and breathtakingly beautiful from a distance but grittier than we expect when climbing it (I didn’t know that)—Hearn’s love affair with Japan so deeply and exactly explained when too many expat stories are superficial, “oh, look at that”; this goes to the core of how that difference made an impact on a natural-born expat like Hearn.
Most highly recommended!!
July 20, 2021
Having lived for many years in Japan, I had often heard the name Lafcadio Hearn mentioned by many Japanese, as especially the ghost stories written by this foreigner are read by the children at school. It was only when I began to read Black Dragonfly that I came to know and appreciate this unique human being. Jean Pasley, in this, ‘historical’, albeit ‘novel’, brought him to life in such a realistic and captivating way that I could hardly put the book down. Her understanding of the Japanese culture and her using his own words to breathe life into her characterization is nothing less than genius, in my humble opinion, of course. The details, her imagination and her skill in using words carry one smoothly from one page to the next. Black Dragonfly paints not only a realistic portrait of the man, but acquaints readers with fascinating facts and facets of Japan, the country, and its culture not often seen. Truly a stimulating and worthwhile book by a talented, new-to-novel-writing Irish author!
April 26, 2022
I'd never heard of the Irish scholar of Japan, Lafcadio Hearn, but my brother who lived in Japan said that everyone knows him there, as his books are on the school curriculum. I can't say I took to Hearne much though, as he is presented as selfish, moody and childish. His difficult childhood is explored, and returned to (perhaps a little too often) but I feel it cannot excuse his attitude and behaviour. However, he seemed to inspire love and deep friendship in others, so perhaps working from his own diaries and letters Pasley is giving us a unfavourably biased view of him. But seriously, he seemed ghastly.
I struggled a bit with this book, as the writing was stilted and quite journalistic, which didn't suit her desire to write about Hearn's emotional state a lot. That being said, it gave a fascinating insight into Japanese life, culture and customs in the very early 1900s, when it was first opening up after two hundred years of isolation. This detailed study of Japan, which was the essence of Hearn's work too, is the strength of the book, and would make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the country, especially during that period.
I struggled a bit with this book, as the writing was stilted and quite journalistic, which didn't suit her desire to write about Hearn's emotional state a lot. That being said, it gave a fascinating insight into Japanese life, culture and customs in the very early 1900s, when it was first opening up after two hundred years of isolation. This detailed study of Japan, which was the essence of Hearn's work too, is the strength of the book, and would make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the country, especially during that period.
April 28, 2021
This novel is elegantly written, bringing Lafcadio Hearn's life vividly to life. It would interest readers who have no previous knowledge of this remarkable writer, who crossed so many borders, national, cultural, linguistic, personal, etc.
May 28, 2023
Easy read and a lovely introduction to Lafcadio Hearn
August 10, 2021
4.5 ⭐ In Black Dragonfly, author Jean Pasley takes us to a compelling journey of self-discovery through the eyes of an iconic man. We witness Lafcadio Hearn’s relationship with his writing, how he is a slave of it, and at the same time how it became the catalyst for his healing process. Hearn, in all his brilliance was still just a restless soul looking for a place to belong to. His life is a testament to how people should not be defined by race, skin color, gender, or the country where they were born in. This beautifully imagined novel reminds us that our definition of self is ours to make.
Go read the book and live the lovely days of Old Japan. You won’t get a better guide than the one and only Lafcadio Hearn, and we have Jean Pasley to thank for bringing his voice back to life, in between the pages he so well loved.
Longer version of this review can be found on my blog https://princessandpages.com/2021/08/...
Go read the book and live the lovely days of Old Japan. You won’t get a better guide than the one and only Lafcadio Hearn, and we have Jean Pasley to thank for bringing his voice back to life, in between the pages he so well loved.
Longer version of this review can be found on my blog https://princessandpages.com/2021/08/...
January 25, 2023
Pensando muito neste livrinho,pode não ser uma obra complexa de literatura, mas me deu horas de bem estar e prazer ao ler. Alguns livros atingem o intelecto e também o coração. A vida de Lafcadio Hearn no Japão embora talvez um pouco "romantizada" aqui ,é muito interessante. Obras com "atmosfera" perfeita estão cada vez mais raros de achar,minhas leituras na maioria das vezes me deixa fria,mesmo em escritas excelentes.
November 17, 2021
Using the main character’s own words extracted from letters, essays, and books, Pasley vividly recounts the life of wandering writer Lafcadio Hearn. At age four, he is orphaned by his Greek mother, followed by his Irish father, and left with a stern aunt. Hearn never found acceptance or belonging growing up. He travels to the United States, the West Indies, and eventually to Japan as a newspaper correspondent. While there, he discovers more than just a story: he also finds hope that perhaps he’s finally found a home.
Pasley explores the beauty of late 19th-century Japanese culture with elegant brushstrokes. Utilizing Hearn’s curiosity and sense of wonder, the author examines Japanese ideologies. Hearn struggles to look beyond his Western mindset in order to reconcile vastly different concepts of living. While attending his class on Greek and English literature, the Japanese students are perplexed. They find it incomprehensible to read about characters who are motivated by passion and self-preservation instead of by family and duty.
The narrative isn’t always linear as Hearn reflects back on his life while his viewpoints change. However, the different time points flow smoothly from one moment to the next. Hearn is not always the most likeable person, but the influence of those around him bring about his growth. The interactions with his wife are highlights of the novel. She shares Japanese stories and explains why her culture sees things as they do with her husband. As a daughter of a fallen samurai clan, the contrast between her life and his (particularly when it comes to family) is compellingly explored. Hearn’s viewpoints are shaken up in such a way that perhaps he can find peace. The landscape Pasley recreates is picturesque and immersive. Overall, Lafcadio Hearn’s journey into a disappearing culture is both enlightening and heartfelt. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
Pasley explores the beauty of late 19th-century Japanese culture with elegant brushstrokes. Utilizing Hearn’s curiosity and sense of wonder, the author examines Japanese ideologies. Hearn struggles to look beyond his Western mindset in order to reconcile vastly different concepts of living. While attending his class on Greek and English literature, the Japanese students are perplexed. They find it incomprehensible to read about characters who are motivated by passion and self-preservation instead of by family and duty.
The narrative isn’t always linear as Hearn reflects back on his life while his viewpoints change. However, the different time points flow smoothly from one moment to the next. Hearn is not always the most likeable person, but the influence of those around him bring about his growth. The interactions with his wife are highlights of the novel. She shares Japanese stories and explains why her culture sees things as they do with her husband. As a daughter of a fallen samurai clan, the contrast between her life and his (particularly when it comes to family) is compellingly explored. Hearn’s viewpoints are shaken up in such a way that perhaps he can find peace. The landscape Pasley recreates is picturesque and immersive. Overall, Lafcadio Hearn’s journey into a disappearing culture is both enlightening and heartfelt. Recommended.
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
April 17, 2022
Based in the late 1800s, this book is a historically-accurate, engaging read about Lefcadio Hearn. The journey of self-discovery of a restless Western writer crossing the seas and ending up in Japan in search of purpose. From his complicated childhood and hardships, the best stories are formed. You know when you meet certain people and immediately think “his life could be a book or a movie” and Hearn’s is exactly the type that makes for such a compelling read.
Jean Pasley tells his story like that of a novel, taking excerpts from his letters and previously published work, stringing them together to make it sound as endearing as though hearing about a friend’s experiences and helping the audience understand Hearn’s life story from an intimate perspective. The story flows smoothly, showing Hearn’s struggle with writing; how he was his own biggest critic yet becoming a slave to writing to survive, and how he searched for meaning in writing for something deeper. His life is a testament to how people shouldn’t be defined by race, colour, gender or nationality, through his little late-night reflections and epiphanies, learning how to appreciate the little things in life and other cultures. It reminds me for my love of travel and how going into the unknown makes you more open in appreciating diversity and strengthens your soul.
I particularly enjoyed his climb up to Mt Fuji and the unexpected contrasts with reality, as well as his adorable interactions with his Japanese wife from a samurai family — initially a marriage of convenience which later became what he found was most important, family. There are also many small folk stories and anecdotes peppered in the novel, showing the deep understanding behind Old Japan’s cultural and geographical beauty before being influenced by Western ideologies. The Japan as we know it might not have been the same back then, and his records make for a mystical and probably much romanticised worldview of the country.
June 3, 2025
n.b. I read the Japanese translation by Yu Komiya (Kosei Shuppan, 2024).
This is a fictionalized account of Koizumi Yakumo, né Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish-Greek writer who moved to Japan in 1890 when he was 40 years old and became a naturalized Japanese citizen. He’s most famous for collecting and translating Japanese ghost stories, my favorite of which is the story of Earless Hoichi (耳なし芳一, miminashi Hoichi).
The novel is less about Hearn as a writer and more as an outsider who for financial reasons settled in Japan even though his lifelong love was the town of Saint Pierre on the island of Martinique. Having lost his left eye from a childhood injury and financial security when his aunt and guardian went bankrupt, he grew up with a chip on a soldier. Though marriage to Koizumi Setsu softened him up, he struggled with self-loathing throughout his life, a pathology of individualism that never rubbed off regardless of a decade-long exposure to Japan’s Confucian culture.
The truth is that other than his ghost stories, I’m not really interested in reading Hearn’s other works, especially his treatises about Japan. The author tries to insert some self-critical awareness into her version of Hearn such as when Hearn briefly wonders about the material underpinnings of Japanese people’s behavioral culture, making him doubt whether Japanese culture is really as beautiful as he’d romanticized. But for the rest of the novel, Hearn—and the actual Hearn probably—commits the kind of essentialist thinking that perceives Japan as some stable, natural entity instead of a political and historically contingent construction. I don’t blame him for the mistake because the Japanese love to believe in the myth themselves. Even today, their history textbooks mythologize their origins in a way that Americans never could, given the U.S. 's inception as a colonial settlement that wiped out the indigenous population by force and capital.
This is a fictionalized account of Koizumi Yakumo, né Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, an Irish-Greek writer who moved to Japan in 1890 when he was 40 years old and became a naturalized Japanese citizen. He’s most famous for collecting and translating Japanese ghost stories, my favorite of which is the story of Earless Hoichi (耳なし芳一, miminashi Hoichi).
The novel is less about Hearn as a writer and more as an outsider who for financial reasons settled in Japan even though his lifelong love was the town of Saint Pierre on the island of Martinique. Having lost his left eye from a childhood injury and financial security when his aunt and guardian went bankrupt, he grew up with a chip on a soldier. Though marriage to Koizumi Setsu softened him up, he struggled with self-loathing throughout his life, a pathology of individualism that never rubbed off regardless of a decade-long exposure to Japan’s Confucian culture.
The truth is that other than his ghost stories, I’m not really interested in reading Hearn’s other works, especially his treatises about Japan. The author tries to insert some self-critical awareness into her version of Hearn such as when Hearn briefly wonders about the material underpinnings of Japanese people’s behavioral culture, making him doubt whether Japanese culture is really as beautiful as he’d romanticized. But for the rest of the novel, Hearn—and the actual Hearn probably—commits the kind of essentialist thinking that perceives Japan as some stable, natural entity instead of a political and historically contingent construction. I don’t blame him for the mistake because the Japanese love to believe in the myth themselves. Even today, their history textbooks mythologize their origins in a way that Americans never could, given the U.S. 's inception as a colonial settlement that wiped out the indigenous population by force and capital.
February 25, 2022
This book reads like a fairy-tale, but not in a good way. Our hero is a man with a chip on his shoulder and a bad temper, but all that is excused by his I am not saying this is a true portrait of Lafcadio Hearn, or even an untrue one; rather it is the simplified fable we are given. This is a novel of broad outlines both of Lafcadio Hearn and of Japan during his years there. Not altogether unpleasant to read, but without depth.
July 23, 2025
I had an uncle who lived in Japan for many years. Whenever I saw him, which was not often, he would talk about Lafcadio Hearn and how I should read his work. I never did.
My uncle died a few years ago. The Japan he lived in in the 70s and 80s probably no longer exists, but the family ties (I have half-Irish half-Japanese cousins) have always helped foster a certain fascination with this country. I regret not having visited while he was still there, and unfortunately I have never had the chance to visit since.
This book joined a few dots and helped fill in a few gaps for me. It doesn't paint the most flattering portrait of Hearn, but it certainly opens a door into his life and his writing.
An enjoyable and very readable first novel, with lots of in depth information on Japan.
My uncle died a few years ago. The Japan he lived in in the 70s and 80s probably no longer exists, but the family ties (I have half-Irish half-Japanese cousins) have always helped foster a certain fascination with this country. I regret not having visited while he was still there, and unfortunately I have never had the chance to visit since.
This book joined a few dots and helped fill in a few gaps for me. It doesn't paint the most flattering portrait of Hearn, but it certainly opens a door into his life and his writing.
An enjoyable and very readable first novel, with lots of in depth information on Japan.
August 26, 2021
A lovely retelling of Hearn's unusual life. I like how he was portrayed as a prickly character who could be difficult to live with. I especially like the character of his wife Setsuko. She was a much bigger influence on his writing than is given credit for. I would like to have known more about Catherine, his Irish nanny. I believe her last name was Ronayne (and thus a possible relative of mine!).
April 27, 2021
For anyone interested in Japan or Hearn this is a fascinating book. Jean Pasley's knowledge of Japan and her research into Hearn makes it a fascinating read, gives real insight into 19th century Japan an engrossing read.
January 21, 2023
I absolutely cannot believe that I finally finished this one! After buying a copy in dublin back in June, it's been moving between my bag and my book pile for 6 months. I thoroughly loved it but I really needed to be in the right head space for this one. Beautiful.
January 20, 2022
A wonderful novel, and a must read for Lafcadio Hearn fans.
September 6, 2022
This was a revelation to me on two counts. The extraordinary Irishman, Lafcadio Hearn who lived in Japan for a number of years portrayed a beautiful view of Japanese culture and heritage. Loved it,
January 17, 2025
Very interesting and exceptionally well-written. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews