In her debut novel, A Thousand Graces, award-winning author Karen Hill Anton takes readers on a trip back in time to late 60s early 70s Japan. Deftly avoiding cultural and gender stereotypes, Anton, a keen observer, draws on her decades living in Japan to create a story rich with carefully crafted characters, detail, and descriptions. The narrative’s poetic prose brings to life a story that lingers in the heart and mind, capturing the essence of a profound journey of self-discovery. Against a background of Showa Era traditions, lifestyle and cultural norms, the novel unfolds a resonant and evocative tale of coming-of-age, and characters that remain with readers long after the final page.
Her talk will address how the novelist is challenged to create protagonists that bear no resemblance to themselves, characters that are authentic, and construct situations they have personally never encountered. While set in Japan, readers recognize the themes and challenges faced by the novel’s deeply intriguing characters as universal. In her reading, Anton will introduce her central character, Chie Uchida, a country girl from Japan’s tea growing region.
Anton’s writing style has been described as “elegant, lyrical, and understated; having the feeling of a delicate watercolor painting.” Reviewers praise A Thousand Graces as “A powerful and haunting work of art” and “An absolute gem.”
Karen Hill Anton wrote the popular columns “Crossing Cultures” for the Japan Times, and “Another Look” for Chunichi Shimbun for fifteen years. Her critically acclaimed memoir, The View From Breast Pocket Mountain, was awarded the 2022 Grand Prize of the Memoir Prize for Books. Her writing has appeared in several collections, most recently A Passion for Japan: A Collection of Personal Narratives. Karen has achieved second-degree mastery in Japanese calligraphy. Originally from New York City, she raised her four children in rural Shizuoka prefecture, where she has made her home with her husband William Anton since 1975.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. Dinner is served from 6:15 pm. The presentation starts from 7:15 pm.
Menu: Salad/ Herbed Breadcrumb Grilled Chicken with Mustard Sauce/ Bread/ Strawberry Ice Cream/ Coffee or Tea with One Drink. Book Break charges are 3,000 yen/ 4,000 yen (members/ non-members) per person.
FCCJ members can sign up at the reception desk. Reservations cancelled less than 72 hours in advance will be charged in full.
Non-members can reserve at the reception desk by email (front@fccj.or.jp). Payment is in advance till Friday, October 13th, 2023. No refund is available unless the event is cancelled by FCCJ.
Online attendance (via Zoom) is available at 550 yen per person. Please indicate the intention to attend online when signing up. Details on how to join online will be sent to individual emails after their reservations are confirmed.
Attendees with food restriction should inform the reception desk (front@fccj.or.jp) three days before the event. Thank you.
(The talk will be in English)
Library, Archives & Workroom Committee