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An important work of historical fiction that raises profound questions about the moral legitimation and human cost of war, transnational relationships, and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. -- Kevin M. Doak, Georgetown University

Endo presents a touching study of the spiritual and moral dilemmas faced by a community forced to confront the very meaning of patriotism and Christianity during a time of war. * Times Literary Supplement * Sachiko is the best Catholic novel I have read in a long time. Avoiding a sappy and simplistic depiction of a harsh reality, Endo honestly presents the doubts and dilemmas of Christians - Japanese, American, Polish - amidst hostile surroundings in a world where violation of the Fifth Commandment was the norm. * Catholic World Report * Ever since his arrival on the literary scene in the 1950s, Endo has continued to fascinate and challenge his readership in equal measure. In the wake of Martin Scorsese's recent movie adaptation of his best-selling work, Silence, interest in Endo's oeuvre has been renewed and Sachiko provides us with further evidence of the author's extraordinary storytelling ability. -- Mark Williams, author of <i>Endo Shusaku: A Literature of Reconciliation</i> Set during World War II in Nagasaki and Auschwitz, Endo's novel Sachiko provides a powerful portrait of a woman who pursued a life of faith, hope, and love. This translation highlights Van Gessel's deep compassion and understanding of Japanese history, tradition, and culture. I cannot more highly recommend this outstanding and delicate translation. -- Emi Mase-Hasegawa, author of <i>Christ in Japanese Culture: Theological Themes in Shusaku Endo's Literary Works</i> Beautifully translated by Van Gessel, the doyen of Endo scholars, Sachiko confirms once again the stature of this prolific author. The parallel stories bring a fresh urgency to Endo's profound understanding of the conflicting aims of culture and spirituality. -- J. Thomas Rimer, coeditor of <i>The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature</i> An important work of historical fiction that raises profound questions about the moral legitimation and human cost of war, transnational relationships, and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. -- Kevin M. Doak, author of <i>A History of Nationalism in Modern Japan: Placing the People</i> Sachiko is a beautiful work, part love story, part tragedy, a tale of two young people caught in the wrong moment of history * Tony's Reading List * There's such a profound kindness in these pages...[S]itting with this novel is much like sitting at a master craftsman's table. One sitting is insufficient to learn its lessons. * Englewood Review of Books * In telling the story of two friends wrestling with faith and their lives in a nationalistic state, Endo offers a morally dense and thought-provoking read. Sachiko does not shy away from the horrors of war or genocide, and Endo's novel unsettlingly depicts the ways in which people can become complicit in horrific political systems. * Words without Borders * Haunting in its content and breathtaking in its prose. . .This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time. * Dynamic Book Nerd * A profound meditation on the meaning of love, sacrifice, and the spiritual dilemma of Christian beliefs vying against the demands of the nation-state. . .Sachiko is yet another example of Endo Shusaku's stunning literary artistry that demands more than one reading. Highly recommended. * Historical Novels Review * An extraordinary novel by one of Japan's literary masters, Sachiko is a testament to shared experiences, cruelty, loss, and the persistence of love and faith. * Foreword Reviews, Starred Review *

There's such a profound kindness in these pages...[S]itting with this novel is much like sitting at a master craftsman's table. One sitting is insufficient to learn its lessons. * Englewood Review of Books * In telling the story of two friends wrestling with faith and their lives in a nationalistic state, Endo offers a morally dense and thought-provoking read. Sachiko does not shy away from the horrors of war or genocide, and Endo's novel unsettlingly depicts the ways in which people can become complicit in horrific political systems. * Words without Borders * Ever since his arrival on the literary scene in the 1950s, Endo has continued to fascinate and challenge his readership in equal measure. In the wake of Martin Scorsese's recent movie adaptation of his best-selling work, Silence, interest in Endo's oeuvre has been renewed and Sachiko provides us with further evidence of the author's extraordinary storytelling ability. -- Mark Williams, author of <i>Endo Shusaku: A Literature of Reconciliation</i> Set during World War II in Nagasaki and Auschwitz, Endo's novel Sachiko provides a powerful portrait of a woman who pursued a life of faith, hope, and love. This translation highlights Van Gessel's deep compassion and understanding of Japanese history, tradition, and culture. I cannot more highly recommend this outstanding and delicate translation. -- Emi Mase-Hasegawa, author of <i>Christ in Japanese Culture: Theological Themes in Shusaku Endo's Literary Works</i> Beautifully translated by Van Gessel, the doyen of Endo scholars, Sachiko confirms once again the stature of this prolific author. The parallel stories bring a fresh urgency to Endo's profound understanding of the conflicting aims of culture and spirituality. -- J. Thomas Rimer, coeditor of <i>The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature</i> An important work of historical fiction that raises profound questions about the moral legitimation and human cost of war, transnational relationships, and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. -- Kevin M. Doak, author of <i>A History of Nationalism in Modern Japan: Placing the People</i> Haunting in its content and breathtaking in its prose. . .This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time. * Dynamic Book Nerd * A profound meditation on the meaning of love, sacrifice, and the spiritual dilemma of Christian beliefs vying against the demands of the nation-state. . .Sachiko is yet another example of Endo Shusaku's stunning literary artistry that demands more than one reading. Highly recommended. * Historical Novels Review * An extraordinary novel by one of Japan's literary masters, Sachiko is a testament to shared experiences, cruelty, loss, and the persistence of love and faith. * Foreword Reviews, Starred Review *

Ever since his arrival on the literary scene in the 1950s, Endo has continued to fascinate and challenge his readership in equal measure. In the wake of Martin Scorsese's recent movie adaptation of his best-selling work, Silence, interest in Endo's oeuvre has been renewed and Sachiko provides us with further evidence of the author's extraordinary storytelling ability. -- Mark Williams, author of <i>Endo Shusaku: A Literature of Reconciliation</i> Set during World War II in Nagasaki and Auschwitz, Endo's novel Sachiko provides a powerful portrait of a woman who pursued a life of faith, hope, and love. This translation highlights Van Gessel's deep compassion and understanding of Japanese history, tradition, and culture. I cannot more highly recommend this outstanding and delicate translation. -- Emi Mase-Hasegawa, author of <i>Christ in Japanese Culture: Theological Themes in Shusaku Endo's Literary Works</i> Beautifully translated by Van Gessel, the doyen of Endo scholars, Sachiko confirms once again the stature of this prolific author. The parallel stories bring a fresh urgency to Endo's profound understanding of the conflicting aims of culture and spirituality. -- J. Thomas Rimer, coeditor of <i>The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature</i> An important work of historical fiction that raises profound questions about the moral legitimation and human cost of war, transnational relationships, and the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. -- Kevin M. Doak, author of <i>A History of Nationalism in Modern Japan: Placing the People</i> An extraordinary novel by one of Japan's literary masters, Sachiko is a testament to shared experiences, cruelty, loss, and the persistence of love and faith. * Foreword Reviews, Starred Review *

Author Information

Endō Shūsaku (1923–1996) was Japan’s leading Christian writer, a prolific author of novels, stories, and plays. Among his translated works are The Samurai, Deep River, Wonderful Fool, and Foreign Studies. His best-known novel, Silence, was adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese in 2017. Van C. Gessel is professor of Japanese at Brigham Young University. He has translated eight of Endō’s works, including Kiku’s Prayer (Columbia, 2012). In 2018 he received an imperial decoration, Order of the Rising Sun.

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