Overview

From Catfish Rolling's Clara Kumagai, a second novel full of longing, love and heartbreak, inspired by Puccini's Madame Butterfly. 17-year-old Adam has just broken up with his boyfriend Evan and is not looking forward to the excruciating awkwardness at school for the rest of term or a whole summer stuck at home with his dad, step mum and baby brother, Benji. But then Adam discovers a diary in some boxes in the attic and is quickly enthralled by their poignant story. They were written by a young woman in Nagasaki in 1911. Adam is enraptured by her life and loves, becoming totally absorbed in her story. Then he starts to be haunted by her ghostly presence.

Full Product Details

9781803288093

Table of Contents

Reviews

'An evocative story of love, history and identity, Kumagai’s bewitching blend of lyricism and magical realism makes for a beautiful and highly original voice' * Observer * 'This novel is a beautiful tale of love, family and identity... The author masterfully creates a tale spanning multiple generations, with revelations that will leave readers truly gripped.' * Inis Magazine * [An] unforgettable tale of culture and identity through the generations... pure captivation from one of Ireland’s rising talents * Irish Examiner * [A] smart, nuanced inversatigation of identity, heritage and heartbreak... A deeply satisfying read * Irish Times * 'Songs for Ghosts is a thing of beauty, of echoes and of memory. A novel to break the heart wide open.' * Patricia Forde, Ireland’s Children’s Laureate * 'Spanning multiple generations, with revelations that will leave readers truly gripped, this novel is a beautiful tale of love, family and identity' * Children's Books Ireland, Read with Pride Guide * 'With all the deftness of a master biwa player, Kumagai skillfully strings together the lives of its characters both past and present. Hauntingly tender and full of warmth, Songs for Ghosts is a book that will stay with you long after the last page.' * Ann Sei Lin, author of the Rebel Skies trilogy * 'With deft grace, Clara Kumagai has taken a strained and challenging song and made it her own... A contemporary ghost story that explores ideas of love and voice with sympathy for the imperfect and a kaidan's atmospheric strangeness, you will enjoy this if you like Madame Butterfly, and you will enjoy this if you don't.' * Mina Ikemoto Ghosh, author of Hyo the Hellmaker * 'Songs for Ghosts is a beautiful and layered novel about love, grief, memory — and how they all weave together. It is at once poignant and sincere, and its story and characters will stay with you long after the last page' * Adiba Jaigirdar * 'An incredible story, perfectly executed' * Mrs Sydney's World's Smallest Library *

'An evocative story of love, history and identity, Kumagai’s bewitching blend of lyricism and magical realism makes for a beautiful and highly original voice' * Observer * 'This novel is a beautiful tale of love, family and identity... The author masterfully creates a tale spanning multiple generations, with revelations that will leave readers truly gripped.' * Inis Magazine * [An] unforgettable tale of culture and identity through the generations... pure captivation from one of Ireland’s rising talents * Irish Examiner * 'Kumagai’s sophomore novel is an exciting blend of paranormal, mystery, and romance elements. The past and present are entwined and parallel one another in this beautifully emotional story of love, betrayal, heartbreak, death, and family... A thrilling and creative story of growth' * Kirkus, starred review * [A] smart, nuanced inversatigation of identity, heritage and heartbreak... A deeply satisfying read * Irish Times * 'Songs for Ghosts is a thing of beauty, of echoes and of memory. A novel to break the heart wide open.' * Patricia Forde, Ireland’s Children’s Laureate * 'Spanning multiple generations, with revelations that will leave readers truly gripped, this novel is a beautiful tale of love, family and identity' * Children's Books Ireland, Read with Pride Guide * 'With all the deftness of a master biwa player, Kumagai skillfully strings together the lives of its characters both past and present. Hauntingly tender and full of warmth, Songs for Ghosts is a book that will stay with you long after the last page.' * Ann Sei Lin, author of the Rebel Skies trilogy * 'With deft grace, Clara Kumagai has taken a strained and challenging song and made it her own... A contemporary ghost story that explores ideas of love and voice with sympathy for the imperfect and a kaidan's atmospheric strangeness, you will enjoy this if you like Madame Butterfly, and you will enjoy this if you don't.' * Mina Ikemoto Ghosh, author of Hyo the Hellmaker * 'Songs for Ghosts is a beautiful and layered novel about love, grief, memory — and how they all weave together. It is at once poignant and sincere, and its story and characters will stay with you long after the last page' * Adiba Jaigirdar * 'An incredible story, perfectly executed' * Mrs Sydney's World's Smallest Library *

Author Information

Clara Kumagai is from Canada, Japan and Ireland. Recipient of a We Need Diverse Books Award Mentorship, Clara is also a finalist for the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award, a Yoto Carnegie 2024 nominee and shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Book Ireland Award. Clara has been chosen by The Irish Independent as a Top 20 Irish Kid’s Book of 2023, as well as a Best Book of 2023 by The Irish Times, the Observer and Waterstones. clarakumagai.com Twitter/Instagram:@clarakiyoko

Tab Content 6

Countries Available