Nicholas Hogg is recognized for his literary prowess, notably earning a nomination for the IMPAC literary award for his debut novel, Show Me the Sky. His short stories have also garnered numerous accolades and have been broadcast by the BBC. Hogg's writing delves into the human psyche with compelling narratives that draw readers into his worlds. His latest novel, TOKYO, further solidifies his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary literature.
Social psychologist Ben Monroe has returned to Tokyo after a failed marriage, determined to seek out his former lover Kozue. His estranged teenage daughter Mazzy reluctantly flies from California to join him. On the flight she meets a young Japanese man, Koji, a cult survivor, who tells her the story of the luminous night princess Kaguya, a powerful tale of beauty and obsession. As Ben delves deeper into the underworld in search of Kozue, Mazzy and Koji are compelled to follow, and their four lives dangerously intersect as past and present collide.
Exploring the interplay of violence and history, this collection of poems reflects on how the past shapes the present and connects generations within a community. It examines themes of labor, loss, and the emotional impact of shattered dreams and unrealized potential. With a blend of vulnerability and resilience, the work captures the complexities of the human experience, showcasing the power of poetry to convey deep emotional truths and beauty amidst hardship.
Channeling influences as diverse as James Salter, Don DeLillo, and Yukio Mishima, this is a bewitching modern fable of memory, loss, love, and the search for belonging Social psychologist Ben Monroe has returned to Japan. After a failed marriage in America, he finds himself compelled to seek out his former lover, Kozue, desperate to make sense of their brief, passionate, and unresolved love affair. Mazzy, Ben’s estranged 16-year-old daughter, reluctantly flies from California to join her father in Tokyo. On the plane she sits next to a troubled Japanese man who tells her the folk tale of Kaguyahime, the luminous night princess lost from the moon, and the men who became obsessed with her beauty. As the plane journey ends, the storyteller disappears. On the ground in Tokyo, Ben delves deeper into the Tokyo underworld, following the trail he hopes will lead him to Kozue. But Mazzy lives only for the present, angry at her father and determined to find herself in the city, yet unaware her every step is being watched by the storyteller, a cult survivor disturbed and adrift in the currents of the city. Both men are drawn towards the objects of their obsession—and with it, towards their fate—as past and present collide in Tokyo and beyond.
Blending adventure, history, and self-discovery, this debut novel weaves together four captivating narrative threads. Each story intertwines to create an unforgettable journey, exploring themes of exploration and personal growth. Readers can expect a rich tapestry of experiences that challenge the characters and reveal deeper truths about themselves and the world around them.
