BOOK REVIEW: Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
A powerful of heartbreaking and heartwarming look into the resilience of the human spirit.
Here are a few facts before I get started:
I am way behind in my reviews.
I may not be able to do full reviews on all the books that I’m backlogged on simply because the longer it’s been, the harder it is to remember the full details.
#2 is a result of me being behind in my book journal.
I have skipped past all the books that are on my RTBW (Reviews to be Written) list to write this one, my most recent read.
I felt strongly about this book and wanted to make sure I wrote it before I forget anything about it. This was part of my 12 in 24 challenge. I really need to make sure that I keep track of which of my booksta friends recommend which books for this challenge next year so I can thank them when I find ones that are little gems.
When it comes to translated books, I don’t think I have ever read any other than The Little Prince; however, in the last 6 weeks I have read TWO! I read the Korean book, Snowglobe, and this one, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, which is a Japanese book. A book that won Japan’s Booksellers’ Award in 2018 and became an instant #1 best seller. The author’s note at the end of the book explains why.
Let me just get to it.
Kokoro is a junior high student who is brutally bullied and has essentially dropped out. She physically can not go to school due to her panic attacks and fear that she may be killed. One day the mirror on the wall in her bedroom glows and upon inspection, she is sucked into the mirror and finds herself in a castle and talking to a girl in a wolf mask. Kokoro and six other kids all ranging in age form about 13-16 and who are all apparently not attending school regularly find themselves in the castle. The Wolf Queen tells them there is a key hidden somewhere in the castle that will open the wishing room and will grant one of them one wish. However, the castle is theirs until the end of March, almost a year from when they first find themselves in it. What occurs over the months the kids visit the castle is nothing short of healing, reflection, growth, and friendship.
I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. While, I feel that it was geared the the age group of the characters, I think that it was a pretty powerful story of pain, healing, trauma and the depth of damage that can be caused by bullying. As an educator and parent, there were times I just wanted to scream at some of the adults in the book and other times that I wanted to cry and hold the parents and reassure them that they would get through it. Throughout it all, I wanted to hold the kids and to tell them that they are strong and can persevere.
While Kokoro is the main character, all seven characters that visit the castle on a regular basis are well developed. Each has a clear personality and a clear, precise and developed back story that has led them to be “selected” to come to the castle. Some get more page time than others, but they all unique and carefully created. As the story progresses, the kids open up to each other, slowly at first, but them more poignantly as they approach the closing date of the castle. The story revolves around these kids, the setting and plot are just frames for the portrait that they paint. Even the Wolf Queen is a critical character to ensure that they get to end.
You're battling every single day, aren't you?
Being the reader that I am, I obviously had questions when the book was over, like how did the magic actually work? How did the mirrors bring them to the castle? But, none of those questions were answered. There is a suspension of disbelief that you must take into this book. But, it’s almost that fairy tale aspect to the story that makes the magic so much better.
I think there may be people who read the book that might say, “nothing like what those ‘bullies’ did would actually ever happen. Someone would have stepped in.” I disagree, bullying is real and even more prevalent in today's era with social media. Kids tend to be braver in the presence of their friends and behind the safety of a screen. I just feel so strongly about the things that happened. Same with the school “allowing” students to just stop going. Kids and families need resources, support and options.
However, bringing these particular kids together, they were able to teach each other that they are better than the “mean kids.” They built each other up and believed in each other. They realized the importance of the people they did have in their lives that believed them and supported them. The importance of a support system. I could literally talk about this book for a while, as I am still processing it.
The writing style was easy to follow. While the story itself wasn’t necessarily fast paced or action packed, there were moments, especially near the end when I just had to keep reading, but overall the pace was pretty even keeled. I did appreciated the little twists and how everything eventually came together at the end.
If you try hard, you will always see results, and it will never be wasted no matter what you end up doing in life.
I fell in love with Kokoro Aki, Fuka, Massamune, Subaru, Ureshino and Rion. As many times in life, you have to endure the heartbreak to see the heartwarming moments that follow. This is how I felt in this book. The heartbreaking and the heartwarming were definitely dished out in quality doses.
Where does this land on my bookshelf?
I’m sure you could have figured it out by now. It’s totally a top shelf book. And as I was Googling around about this book, I learned it was actually adapted into a 2022 Japanese movie!!!! WHAT?!?!?! Watch the trailer below and then read the book. I will admit that when I first started reading it, I wasn't sure I was going to like it or even connect with the characters. Boy, was I wrong. This is one of those perfect examples of “Bookstagram Made Me Do It” books. If I wasn’t part of this amazing bookish community, I would never have stumbled upon this book. I would highly recommend this one.
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If you are really bored, you can read about some of my personal adventures in life raising two teenagers, commentating on professional wrestling shows and loving a husband who is fighting Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and all the lesson I learn along the way. Educate This.