Step into a neighbourhood where the ordinary and the strange exist side by side.
People From My Neighbourhood by Hiromi Kawakami is a wonderfully imaginative collection of short, interconnected stories set in a mysterious Japanese neighbourhood. In these tiny “palm-of-the-hand” tales, everyday life takes unexpected turns: neighbours develop strange abilities, people encounter mysterious creatures and seemingly ordinary places become gateways to the unusual.
The stories are short, playful and often surreal, but beneath their strange situations are observations about human relationships, loneliness, community, change and everyday life. The collection brings together the lives of people who live in the same neighbourhood, creating a fascinating portrait of a community where almost anything can happen.
Key Features
- Japanese contemporary fiction
- Collection of interconnected short stories
- Surreal and imaginative storytelling
- “Palm-of-the-hand” microfiction
- Themes of neighbourhood, relationships and human nature
- Translated from Japanese by Ted Goossen
- Internationally published Japanese literature
- Ideal for readers who enjoy unusual, atmospheric fiction
Book Details
| Detail |
Information |
| Title |
People From My Neighbourhood |
| Author |
Hiromi Kawakami |
| Translator |
Ted Goossen |
| Original Title |
このあたりの人たち |
| Genre |
Literary Fiction / Short Stories |
| Language |
English |
| Format |
Paperback |
About the Author
Hiromi Kawakami is an acclaimed Japanese author known for her distinctive blend of everyday life, surrealism, humour and emotional observation. Her internationally translated works include Strange Weather in Tokyo, The Nakano ThriftShop and People From My Neighbourhood.
About the Translator
Ted Goossen is a translator and scholar of Japanese literature who translated People From My Neighbourhood into English.
Who Should Read This Book?
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Japanese literature
- Short story collections
- Surreal fiction
- Magical and strange everyday stories
- Microfiction
- Quiet but thought-provoking books
- Unusual character-driven storytelling
- Translated contemporary fiction
