Author guide
Hiromi Kawakami Books in Order
Hiromi Kawakami (born 1958 in Tokyo) is a Japanese writer whose literary career began with the short-story collection Kamisama in 1994. Her fiction frequently combines precise observations of ordinary relationships with fantasy, metamorphosis, and other forms of the uncanny. She has received the Akutagawa Prize, Tanizaki Prize, Ito Sei Literature Award, Yomiuri Prize, Izumi Kyoka Prize, and other major Japanese literary honors. Her best-known translated works include Strange Weather in Tokyo, Manazuru, The Nakano Thrift Shop, Record of a Night Too Brief, People From My Neighborhood, and Under the Eye of the Big Bird.
Hiromi Kawakami's Newest Book
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Kamisama
The author's literary debut and a concise introduction to her blend of everyday life and the uncanny.
Sensei no kaban
Her best-known novel and the clearest entry point into her intimate, quietly observant relationship fiction.
Manazuru
A major, atmospheric novel that showcases her treatment of memory, disappearance, and psychological ambiguity.
Ookina tori ni sarawarenai you
A major later collection whose linked speculative stories represent the expansive side of her imagination.
Read in order
Books by series
novel series · complete
Nanaya Monogatari
A two-part fantastical coming-of-age adventure following two children through seven mysterious nights and their later lives.
diary series · ongoing
Tokyo Nikki
A continuing series of surreal, humorous diary books about life in Tokyo.
- 1 Tokyo Nikki: Tamago ikko bun no oiwaiAmazon ↗
Book 1 · diary · 2005
- 2 Tokyo Nikki: Hoka ni odori wo shiranaiAmazon ↗
Book 2 · diary · 2007
- 3 Tokyo Nikki: Namazu no kounAmazon ↗
Book 3 · diary · 2011
- 4 Tokyo Nikki: Furyou ni narimashitaAmazon ↗
Book 4 · diary · 2014
- 5 Tokyo Nikki: Akai zonbi, aoi zonbiAmazon ↗
Book 5 · diary · 2017
- 6 Tokyo Nikki: Sayonara, NagaikunAmazon ↗
Book 6 · diary · 2021
- 7 Tokyo Nikki: Kanai subete ohinasamaAmazon ↗
Book 7 · diary · 2023
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (16)
- Monogatari ga, hajimaruAmazon ↗
novella · 1996
- ItoshiiAmazon ↗
novel · 1997
- Sensei no kabanAmazon ↗
novel · 2001
-
ParadeAmazon ↗novella · 2002
- Hikatte mieru mono, are waAmazon ↗
novel · 2003
- Nishino Yukihiko no koi to boukenAmazon ↗
novel · 2003
- Furudougu Nakano shotenAmazon ↗
novel · 2005
- Yoru no koenAmazon ↗
novel · 2006
- Hazuki-san no kotoAmazon ↗
novel · 2006
- ManazuruAmazon ↗
novel · 2006
- Kaze HanaAmazon ↗
novel · 2008
- Kore de yoroshikute?Amazon ↗
novel · 2009
- SuiseiAmazon ↗
novel · 2014
- NaniAmazon ↗
novel · 2019
- Sandome no koiAmazon ↗
novel · 2020
- Koi wa hakanai, aruiwa, pool no soko no steakAmazon ↗
novel · 2023
Short fiction (13)
- Hebi wo fumuAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 1996
- KamisamaAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 1998
- OboreruAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 1999
- OmedetouAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2000
- RyuguAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2002
- ZarazaraAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2006
- Doko kara itte mo tooi machiAmazon ↗
linked-short-story-collection · 2008
- Pasta Machine no yuureiAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2010
- Kamisama 2011Amazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2011
- Ookina tori ni sarawarenai youAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2016
- Kono atari no hitotachiAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2016
- Boku no shitai wo yoroshiku tanomuAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2017
- Oshou no mae de matteteAmazon ↗
short-story-collection · 2024
Essays and speeches (12)
- Yashi YashiAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 1998
- Aru yo na nai yo naAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 1999
- Nantonaku na hibiAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2001
- Yukkuri sayonara wo tonaeruAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2001
- Koko KashikoAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2005
- Kigen no ii inuAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2010
- Tenchou yori sukoshi kudatteAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2011
- Nameraka de atsukute amakute nigakuteAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2013
- Neko wo hiroi niAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2013
- Haretari kumottariAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2013
- Mori e ikimashouAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2017
- Watashi no suki na kigoAmazon ↗
essay-collection · 2020