A DICTIONARY
OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
A Novel
Jackie Copleton
Advance Praise for
A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding:
“Perfectly paced hints and reveals...Though Amaterasu’s current life is defined by the bombing
of Nagasaki, the novel is more than just a war story...A fully drawn portrait of a city and a life,
this novel will hold appeal for history buffs, lovers of literary fiction, and readers of
high-drama romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Astonishingly
accomplished…A gripping love story and family dynamic is woven
seamlessly with graphic descriptions of the aftermath
of the bomb and the historical and cultural changes sweeping
Japan…While this is an often heart-breaking portrait of a mother’s
love…it is also a meticulously researched history of Japan. The graceful
style and clarity of [Copleton’s] writing makes this an
addictive read…this novel is a must.”—Scottish Daily Mail
“Full of delicate imagery drawing on Japanese nature and culture, this is a rich, romantic story, brimming with restrained emotion—with a twist that will take your breath away. Superb.”
—Daily Mirror (UK)
“An absolute must. Gripping from the first page, you’ll not want to put it down…
this is a superb literary launch.”
—Marie Claire (UK)
In the tradition of Memoirs of a Geisha
and The Piano Teacher, A DICTIONARY OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING
(A Penguin Paperback Original;
On-sale: December 1, 2015; 978-0-143-12825-0; $16.00) by Jackie
Copleton is a heart-wrenching debut novel set against the 1945 atomic
bombing of Nagasaki, rich with intimate betrayals,
family secrets, and a shocking love affair. Copleton deftly weaves a
narrative spanning decades, moving seamlessly between Philadelphia forty
years after World War II, Nagasaki during the war and in the years
leading up to it, and the Japanese hostess bars
of early 20th century Nagasaki.
When
Amaterasu Takahashi opens the door of her Philadelphia home to a badly
scarred man claiming to be her grandson, Hideo, she doesn’t believe him.
Her grandson and her daughter, Yuko, perished
nearly forty years ago during the bombing of Nagasaki. Ama is forced to
confront her memories of the years before the war: of the daughter she
tried too hard to protect and the love affair that would drive them
apart, and even farther back, to the long, sake-pouring
nights at a hostess bar where she first learned that a soft heart was a
dangerous thing. She must decide whether the man calling himself Hideo
is really her long-lost grandson. Once you’ve become adept at lying to
others and yourself, can you still recognize
the truth? Will Ama allow herself to believe in a miracle?
For many, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are distant place names learned from a history book in a sterile classroom. In
A DICTIONARY OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, Jackie Copleton brings to
light a rarely examined era, delivering an impassioned story of family,
loyalty, and love that allows readers in the Western world to confront
the devastating effects of “Fat Man” on the
people of Nagasaki—its human toll, and the lasting emotional and
cultural impact. In the current nuclear climate this novel serves as an
elegant reminder of our shameful history, but also of the vulnerability
of survival and the real meaning of peace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jackie Copleton spent three years teaching English in Nagasaki and Sapporo. A journalist, she now lives with her husband
in Glasgow, Scotland.
Feel free to download and use the
Book Club Kit, which includes delicious Japanese recipes, a Spotify playlist, and suggested discussion topics.
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