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A review by nini23
Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
hopeful
3.75
KAGAMI NO KOJŌ by Mizuki Tsujimura was published in Japan in 2017, winning the 2018 Japan Booksellers' Award. Translated by Philip Gabriel, my edition of this English translation Lonely Castle in the Mirror was released by Erewhon Books in 2022.
It's been ages since I've read a YA fantasy book. Lonely Castle in the Mirror tackles an important topic: bullying at school. Japanese schoolchildren and their mental health suffer immensely from this insidious problem. In this story, we start with Kokoro who refuses to go to school or leave her home. Silence, shame and guilt are all wrapped up such that she hasn't told anyone what happened. The mirror in her room starts glowing and becomes a portal to a castle where she meets six other schoolchildren in similar predicaments.
The mystery of the castle, the wish granting key and the wolf queen is well done. I guessed the temporal link between the students but the basis for the castle creation and the group's mutual support did leave me in tears. This book stresses the imperative need to treat these traumatized students with understanding and patience. Everyone has their own private story, they will share it when they're ready and trust has been established. It's also important to have alternatives and Lonely Castle in The Mirror does mention them: a children's counselling centre and alternative School (everyday attendance not required), tutoring centres, private tutors, homeschooling. The story does conclude on a hopeful note and I loved the characters' interconnection in the post-castle sequelae.
For those confused about the emphasis on how the kids address each other and Kokoro's seeming obsession with appellations, here's an article explaining the significance https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2020/10/27/language/friendly-or-familiar-using-chan/
It's been ages since I've read a YA fantasy book. Lonely Castle in the Mirror tackles an important topic: bullying at school. Japanese schoolchildren and their mental health suffer immensely from this insidious problem. In this story, we start with Kokoro who refuses to go to school or leave her home. Silence, shame and guilt are all wrapped up such that she hasn't told anyone what happened. The mirror in her room starts glowing and becomes a portal to a castle where she meets six other schoolchildren in similar predicaments.
The mystery of the castle, the wish granting key and the wolf queen is well done. I guessed the temporal link between the students but the basis for the castle creation and the group's mutual support did leave me in tears. This book stresses the imperative need to treat these traumatized students with understanding and patience. Everyone has their own private story, they will share it when they're ready and trust has been established. It's also important to have alternatives and Lonely Castle in The Mirror does mention them: a children's counselling centre and alternative School (everyday attendance not required), tutoring centres, private tutors, homeschooling. The story does conclude on a hopeful note and I loved the characters' interconnection in the post-castle sequelae.
For those confused about the emphasis on how the kids address each other and Kokoro's seeming obsession with appellations, here's an article explaining the significance https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2020/10/27/language/friendly-or-familiar-using-chan/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Cancer, Death, Self harm, and Sexual assault