Genzaburō Yoshino (1899-1981) was a Japanese writer and publisher. In 1935, he became director of a collection of educational books for young people. When the acclaimed writer Yūzō Yamamoto was unable to complete a book on ethics as part of the series, Yoshino stepped in and wrote How Do You Live?. Since its debut as a novel and guide to philosophy for young people, How Do You Live? has sold more than two million copies, and been re-edited and republished more than eighty times to reflect the changing times and culture in Japan.
Bruno Navasky is a teacher and writer, whose work as a
translator and editor includes Festival in My Heart: Poems by
Japanese Children and Poem in Your Pocket for Young Poets, as well
as translations published in The New York Times and The Paris
Review. He was the founding editor of American Poet, the journal of
the Academy of American Poets, where he now serves on the board of
directors. He lives and works in New York City.
"A teen ponders the complexities of life, history, and humanity in
this 1937 classic from Japan being animated by Hayao Miyazaki . . .
Simple and beautiful seasonal details reflect Copper's emotional
journey. Small glimpses into prewar Japanese life and culture,
including tofu making, school social hierarchies, city life, and
the intricacies and symbolism of words, contribute to the
atmosphere . . . A childhood favorite of Miyazaki's and one that is
sure to find a select, but eager, readership outside its
homeland."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
"How Do You Live? is that rare thing, especially in YA: a
shamelessly philosophical novel, starting with its interrogative
title. It asks its young readers to think about the person they
want to be, and its adult readers to reflect on the person they've
become."--Wired
"[A] deeply thoughtful Japanese classic . . . A gentle tale of
self-discovery and reflection, and a compassionate guidebook on
integrity punctuated by rich sensory details . . . Yoshino's
timeless lessons will resonate with sensitive readers young and
old."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A beguiling . . . and ruminative coming-of-age tale . . . to
excite interest and--happily--inspire thought."--Booklist
"A heartwarming and empathetic text engineered to help kids
comprehend the world around them and their places in it . . . Like
the best Miyazaki films, [the] lessons are often deceptively
simple, but they have implications for every person who comes of
age through adversity."--Vulture
"A thought-provoking coming of age novel that teaches children how
to navigate through life...beautiful...engaging."--YA Books
Central
"All classic children's books are works of philosophy in one sense
or another. But few classics for young readers are as entirely
philosophical and contemplative, as engineered to instruct, as
Genzaburo Yoshino's How Do You Live? . . . not easily forgotten. .
. Some may feel, as this reader did upon closing it, inclined to
affirm an unusual truth: 'I am wiser for having read this
book.'"--Adam Gopnik, The New York Times Book Review
"Important, worthwhile, and surprisingly of-the-moment."--Asian
Review of Books
"Now is the perfect time for the translation of this novel and an
even better time for today's youth to give it a read. This book
guides your way of living toward the right path."
--Shelf Unbound
"Thoughtful and hopeful in the vein of classic children's
literature. [An] excellent translation, providing insight into
Miyazaki's works."--Anime News Network
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