Lonely Castle in the Mirror

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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

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 mesmerising 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'" *****