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How Do You Live?: The uplifting Japanese classic that has enchanted millions Hardcover – April 8, 2021

by Genzaburo Yoshino (Author), Bruno Navasky (Translator)

4.6 1,504 ratings

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Publishing in English for the very first time, Japan's beloved coming-of-age classic on what really matters in life.

The streets of Tokyo swarm below fifteen year-old Copper as he gazes out into the city of his childhood. Struck by the thought of the infinite people whose lives play out alongside his own, he begins to wonder, how do you live?

Considering life's biggest questions for the first time, Copper turns to his dear uncle for heart-warming wisdom. As the old man guides the boy on a journey of philosophical discovery, a timeless tale unfolds, offering a poignant reflection on what it means to be human.

The favourite childhood book of anime master Hayao Miyazaki, How Do You Live? is the basis a highly anticipated film from Studio Ghibli.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rider; 1st edition (April 8, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1846046459
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1846046452
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.67 x 1.1 x 8.74 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #794,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,864 in Psychological Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 1,504 ratings

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Bruno Navasky
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Yoshino Genzaburo
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4.6 out of 5

1,504 global ratings

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Wendell Hahm

Insight into Japanese youth.

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024

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This book adds understanding to culture of Japan.

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Matthew Douglas

Great philosophical story

Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2024

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This book was written to be a story to help educate some of the younger readers and students in Japan. It is meant to explore some different aspects of life and some philosophical ideas. That being said I really enjoyed the story and the characters portrayed. There was some great character development. The translation was nicely done and I felt that it conveyed the ideas that were meant to get across. For me it gave me some things to kind of think about and reflect upon. Which is a huge pro for me for any story. I love stories that have me engaged as a reader, having me think about the outcomes and consequences of the choices that are made. In the end it had me caring about the characters and what happened to them, which I can't say is true for a few of the books I have read in the past. I recommend giving it at least one read and if you have children in your life I think this is a great book to read.

5 people found this helpful

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Paige G.

book review

Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2021

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: How Do You Live?

Author: Genzaburo Yoshino , Bruno Navasky (Translator)

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Japanese MC, side characters, and culture

Recommended For…: young adult readers, historical fiction

Publication Date: October 26, 2021

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Recommended Age: 13+ (parent death mentioned)

Explanation of CWs: Parent death is mentioned.

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 288

Synopsis: How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.

Review: For the most part this was a great read. The book was so sweet and charming, as it focused on the questions a curious child might have at a young age. I thought the book was well written and that it had great character development.

However, I did think that some of the topics discussed (not mature ones, but like about philosophy and astrology) would be a bit over the head of some young audience members, but if they want to give it a shot who am I to judge?

Verdict: It’s good!

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I. Levy

A book for the young at heart

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024

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A thoughtful exploration of a how a young person might make sense of life. With the help of his family and friends, 15-year-old Jun’ichi begins to widen his horizons and gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the people and things around him. He’s also widening his inner horizons and learning who he is and what it takes to become a truly great person.

One person found this helpful

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Nina's Gift Closet

Suggest for all ages

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024

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I ordered 3 copies of this book for my 3 adult children to share with the grandchildren. The letters to Copper were wonderful teaching moments. How Do You Live belongs on every bookshelf.

2 people found this helpful

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Guest

Timeless and charming

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024

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Bought it due to its appearance in the movie “The Boy and the Heron”; I see its appeal… the lessons and uncle tries to impart to his teen nephew resonate, even in this day and age.

Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2024

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Excellent book! If you like Ghibli and Miyazaki this is a must read!

3 people found this helpful

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That one guy

A glimpse of Japanese life between the wars, but probably not for everyone

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023

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I may have missed the boat on this one. I may have also missed something in translation.

How Do You Live? is a coming-of-age novel that seems to occupy a space in Japanese culture akin to, say, Catcher in the Rye for American readers. I picked it up because I’m a fan of Hayao Miyazaki, and I’d read that he was planning a new film based on it. (The film is due out in July 2023.)

On the plus side, How Do You Live? has an interesting structure, with long passages dedicated to letters written between the main character, Copper, and his uncle. Copper is transitioning from childhood to adolescence, and he spends a great deal of time thinking about what kind of man he will become. His letters to his uncle, and his uncle’s lengthy responses, explore what it means to be a good person and an active, beneficial member of society.

On the downside, there’s a tad too much philosophizing in these pages for my tastes. If the novel’s ethical questions were grounded in the plot—as is one instance involving Copper’s action (or inaction)—they would’ve been more concrete and relatable. But I don’t have much tolerance for abstract discussion of philosophy for its own sake. Perhaps if I’d been able to read the novel in Japanese, the writing would’ve felt more natural, but as it was, it often seemed stilted and precocious.

It’s also hard to read the book without considering the state of the world—and Japanese politics—at the time of its publication in 1937. So much of what Copper and his uncle valorize is altruism, service to others, forsaking one’s own needs for those of the community. Those same ethical imperatives fueled the nationalism that drove Japanese expansion throughout the 1920s and 1930s and that ultimately led Japan to ally with Germany and Italy in World War II. (Obviously, none of this is meant to excuse nationalism or militarism anywhere else in the world, including my home country of the U.S.)

Maybe if I’d read How Do You Live? when I were younger, I’d have loved it. But just as with Catcher in the Rye (which I didn’t come to until I was in my 30s), the central character and his philosophy turned me off. In Holden’s case, that’s because he’s an insufferable, entitled, self-centered bore, and in Copper’s case, it’s because he comes across as a philosophy machine, interested only in abstract ideas, with none of the real-life questions that teenagers typically ask.

16 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Luciana C. Franceschini

Muito bom

Reviewed in Brazil on April 19, 2024

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Livro interessante.

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A. M

A nice edition

Reviewed in Mexico on June 18, 2023

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I wish Amazon could protect the books better, cheap editions only have paper cover on them so if tha tone gets damaged you end up with a naked book, mine came a big damaged

Aside that it's a wonderful work, really comfortable to read, big font

Amazon Kunde

Wunderbarer Autor

Reviewed in Germany on April 19, 2024

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Ein in seiner Einfachheit auch sehr berührendes und philosophisches Buch.

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Jaina Shah

Thought Provoking

Reviewed in Sweden on May 10, 2023

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It is written so beautifully, I have ended up buying more copies as presents for family and friends. Delivery was quick and efficient.

Anastasia

story of a young boy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book is a classic representative from Japan literature.
We have a slice of life. We are following a boy, his daily activities, his meetings with friends, their discussions.

it's a nice book which left me with warm and slightly uncertain feeling. why uncertain? i think this book came to my life later, it's an ideal read for YA and middle grade readers,- and for me it was a little bit naive, but worthy read nevertheless.

7 people found this helpful

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How Do You Live?: The uplifting Japanese classic that has enchanted millions Hardcover – April 8, 2021

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