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About this talk

In recent years, numerous works of 'healing fiction' published in such countries as Japan and South Korea have been translated into English and have gained a wide readership. These novels are aimed at adult readers and depict everyday hardships such as heartbreak, loneliness and regret. They are also characterised by recurring motifs—animals such as cats and dogs, cafés, libraries and bookshops—which serve as a source of healing for the fictional characters and readers alike. On the other hand, Japanese light novels have traditionally been regarded as part of manga and anime culture, with their intended readership consisting mainly of junior and senior high school students. However, from the 2010s through to the 2020s, Japanese 'healing fiction' and light novels have expanded whilst remaining closely intertwined. In this lecture, therefore, I will consider contemporary Japanese popular fiction by examining the relationship between healing fiction and light novels. Header image credit: Ana Markovych via Unsplash

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