How Do You Live

By: Genzaburo Yoshino, Bruno Navasky, Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The first English translation of the classic Japanese novel, a childhood favorite of anime master Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle), with an introduction by Neil Gaiman.

First published in 1937, Genzaburo Yoshino’s How Do You Live? has long been acknowledged in Japan as a crossover classic for young listeners. Academy Award-winning animator Hayao Miyazaki has called it his favorite childhood book and announced plans to emerge from retirement to make it the basis of a final film.

How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, 15, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.

This first-ever English-language translation of a Japanese classic about finding one’s place in a world both infinitely large and unimaginably small is perfect for readers of philosophical fiction like The Alchemist and The Little Prince, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand one of his most important influences.

©2021 Genzaburo Yoshino (P)2021 Recorded Books

Deeply touching

It’s hard to describe this book. I read it because it was the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s film The Boy and the Heron although on the surface they have nothing in common other than being set in Japan and the main character being a 12-15 year old boy. However they both explore the themes of family, friendship and taking responsibility for one’s own life and actions. Beautifully written and thought provoking.

Wonderful

I decided to listen to this book because of a up coming movie from Studio Ghibli and I couldn’t recommend more! I felt like I learned so much from this book, about life and studies. If you’re looking for a wholesome read this is the book for you :)

How relevant it still is.

Loved that he made this parables rather than a treatise. Highly recommend this to people of all ages.

Love everything narrated by Brian Nishii

This book holds so many good life and educational lessons while also telling an excellent story. I can’t wait to see what Miyazaki does with it and highly recommend listening or reading the book!

A beautiful book about being human

I loved the imagery, inner world, and portrayal of the relationship between Copper and his uncle. I would recommend this to people young and old.

Insight From a young man

This book is amazing story talks about many ways that as humans we can be better people.

Grateful for this gem

I've had this title in my library long enough that I forgot how I came to purchase it. I wish I had gotten to it sooner, as it is a good story. I recommended it right away to my son. I enjoyed the pace and the history, philosophy, ethics and art. So much going on in here. The narrator did a very fine job. Well done All!

A gem of a book

I listened to this for a Decades Read in which I've chosen all Japanese books. This is my choice for the 1930s and is going to be a Studio Ghibli movie, Hayao Miyazaki's last. While it's a popular book in Japan it wasn't translated into English until recently.

This is a coming-of-age book with life lessons from the main character's uncle. The story is enjoyable and the main characters likeable. It was quite subversive for its time and Genzaburo Yoshino was even jailed because of it; the Thought Police were not happy with the author.

What was most remarkable about this book is how modern this book is. My last Japanese book ("The Dancing Girl of Izu" by Yasunari Kawabata) was written in the 1920s and feels like classical Japanese literature. These books feel as if they are light years apart. This book is narrated by one of my favorite narrators - Brian Nishii. I highly recommend it!

pure joy

this small book is a gem. the text is rendered beautifully into contemporary english. the narrator delivers a nuanced performance that does justice to the sublime writing as well as the characters.

Great and powerful messages throughout

After hearing the message at the end of the audiobook regarding the author and his original intentions, for the story, I can understand more thoroughly the lessons the young boys learn throughout the story. Very well done! Great read!