National Network for Equitable Library Service

The Night Circus meets Lonely Castle in the Mirror in this multi-award-winning Japanese bestseller, available finally in an English translation by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami. An FT best summer read 2023. Over a million copies sold in Japan. Winner of the Naoki Prize and the Japan Booksellers' Award. A major movie release in Japan. 'A thrilling and often nail-biting depiction of music, friendship, and personal demons' —Observer. 'Propulsive and poetic' —Kirkus. Welcome to a magical world of music, friendship, and rivalry... In a small coastal town just a stone's throw from Tokyo, a prestigious piano competition is underway. Over the course of two feverish weeks, three friends will experience some of the most joyous—and painful—moments of their lives. Aya was a piano genius until she ran away from the stage and vanished; will the tall and talented Makun bring her back? Or will it be child of nature, Jin, a pianist without a piano, who carries the sound of his father's bees wherever he goes? Each of them will break the rules, awe their fans, and push themselves to the brink. But at what cost? Tender, cruel, compelling, Honeybees and Distant Thunder is the unflinching story of love, courage, and rivalry. Most of all, it shows how three young people reconcile with the highs and lows of what it means to truly be a friend. Japanese readers love Honeybees and Distant Thunder: - 'The novel is a masterpiece' —5 stars - 'Each contestant was wonderfully drawn, and I felt very moved' —5 stars - 'I felt like I was right there, and there were scenes that brought me to tears' —5 stars - 'This is beyond a reading experience. It felt like some sixth sense was at work. Wonderful' —5 stars