Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

Lonely Castle in the Mirror

by Mizuki Tsujimura

**PRE-ORDER THE AUTHOR'S PUZZLEBOX BESTSELLER, LOST SOULS MEET UNDER A FULL MOON**
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For fans of BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD, fairy tale and magic are weaved together in sparse language that belies a flooring emotional punch.


'Strange and beautiful. Imagine the offspring of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle with The Virgin Suicides' GUARDIAN
'Genuinely affecting. A story of empathy, collaboration and sharing truths' FINANCIAL TIMES

Translated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami
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Would you share your deepest secrets to save a friend?


In a tranquil neighbourhood of Tokyo, seven teenagers wake to find their bedroom mirrors are shining.

At a single touch, they are pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways, watchful portraits and twinkling chandeliers. In this new sanctuary, they are confronted with a set of clues leading to a hidden room where one of them will be granted a wish. But there's a catch: if they don't leave the castle by five o'clock, they will be punished.

As time passes, a devastating truth emerges: only those brave enough to share their stories will be saved.

Tender, playful, gripping, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR is a mesmerizing tale about the importance of reaching out, confronting anxiety and embracing human connection.


Readers love LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR:

***** 'This book has become one of my favourite Japanese reads of all time . . . A magical heartfelt read that will stay with you'
***** 'Unexpected, beautiful and heart-breaking . . . this is a work of fiction which reaches into the heart of a modern problem and has valuable insight'
***** 'Rich and vivid.This book is a symbol that 'there is always hope'

Reviewed by empressbrooke on

3 of 5 stars

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I think I was not the right audience for this book. The synopsis mentions a twisty and puzzle-like plot involving a search for a key in a castle but it was mostly about a group of middle schoolers sitting around being anxious and getting upset with each other.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 5 January, 2023: Finished reading
  • 5 January, 2023: Reviewed