The Pine Islands

Bookseller Ray says "Can a novel about a German lecturer in Beardology who leaves his wife on a whim and a suicidal young Japanese student be uplifting? Unequivocally. Beautiful, profound, knowing and playful, it is one of those great novels that live inside you for the rest of your days."

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2019

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

When Gilbert wakes one day from a dream that his wife has cheated on him, he flees - immediately and inexplicably - for Tokyo, where he meets a fellow lost soul: Yosa, a young Japanese student clutching a copy of The Complete Manual of Suicide. Together, Gilbert and Yosa set off on a pilgrimage to see the pine islands of Matsushima, one looking for the perfect end to his life, the other for a fresh start. Playful and profound, The Pine Islands is a beautiful tale of friendship, transformation and acceptance in modern Japan.