How Do You Live?

Starred review from September 20, 2021
First published in 1937, this deeply thoughtful Japanese classic—filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s favorite childhood book—is offered in its first English translation via Navasky’s quiet, carefully measured prose. Born and raised in Tokyo, 15-year-old Honda Jun’ichi, known as Copper and small for his age, “can be a bit too mischievous.” When his bank director father passed away around two years ago, Copper and his mother downsized and moved to a modest suburban home, now frequently visited by Copper’s maternal uncle, with whom he is “terribly close.” Interspersed with prosaic recollections of a year of Copper’s school days, interpersonal dramas, and developing friendships, entries from Uncle’s Notebook relay affirmative messages to Copper, covering topics such as science, philosophy, history, and poverty. What results is a gentle tale of self-discovery and reflection, and a compassionate guidebook on integrity punctuated by rich sensory details. If the book unfurls a bit slowly, Yoshino’s timeless lessons (“You must live your life like a true human being and feel just what you feel”), will resonate with sensitive readers young and old. Front matter includes a foreword by Neil Gaiman; back matter includes a note from the translator. Ages 10–14.