IN-PERSON EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: Finger Bone by Hiroki Takahashi

Date
Monday 11 August 2025
Time
7.00pm

Venue
The Japan Society
13 / 14 Cornwall Terrace
London NW1 4QP

Booking Details
Free for members of The Japan Society

Book available from Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Waterstones (translated by Takami Nieda)
Japanese version available here

Please help us to keep this event free and open to all! The Japan Society is a charity and its activities are made possible thanks to the support of its members. If you are planning to attend this event and are not a member (as an individual or through your employer), please consider becoming a member or making a donation if you can - the recommended donation is £5. Thank you!

Finger Bone is a haunting portrayal of the psychological and physical toll of war. Set during the final stages of World War II, the novel centers on a young Japanese soldier stationed in the Pacific. Through fragmented memories and observations, it explores the horrors of war, human vulnerability, and the struggle for survival. The protagonist reflects on the brutality he witnesses and participates in, grappling with guilt and the loss of humanity. The stark and evocative prose captures the devastating impact of war on individuals, questioning the meaning of life amidst the chaos and destruction.

Hiroki Takahashi (1979) is a Japanese author from Aomori Prefecture. He graduated from Waseda University and debuted as a writer in 2010. His novel Finger Bone won the 150th Akutagawa Prize in 2014. Takahashi has also received other literary accolades, including the Shincho Prize for New Writers. His works often address themes of war, memory, and human experiences, reflecting historical and societal contexts. Takahashi’s novels and short stories have been recognized in literary circles, establishing him as a prominent contemporary writer in Japan.

If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

Booking Info