The best Japanese fiction in translation
This is one of the 743 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.
About this list
Penguin Books, 10 Books
This list highlights the best Japanese fiction translated into English, curated by John Self for Penguin UK. It aims to introduce readers to the rich diversity of Japanese literature, which is the most popular form of translated literature in the UK. The selection includes a range of genres and themes, from kawaii and quiet narratives to sinister and surprising ones, reflecting the multiple traditions within Japanese fiction. Although specific criteria for book selection are not detailed, the list emphasizes works that exemplify popular and critically acclaimed Japanese narratives, offering a starting point for those new to the genre.
This list was originally published in 2024 and was added to this site about 1 year ago.
| Rank | Book | Authors | Year | Country | Language | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8841 | What You Are Looking For Is In The Library | Michiko Aoyama | 2020 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 17010 | The Penguin Book Of Japanese Short Stories | Jay Rubin | 2018 | Japanese | English | |
| 9242 | The Memory Police | Yōko Ogawa | 2024 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 17010 | Lonely Castle In The Mirror | Mizuki Tsujimura | 2017 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 14901 | Mina's Matchbox | Yōko Ogawa | 2024 | Japanese | English | |
| 14901 | Great Japanese Stories | Jay Rubin | Multiple | English | ||
| 1159 | Norwegian Wood | Haruki Murakami | 1987 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 14165 | Men Without Women | Haruki Murakami | 2014 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 2290 | Out | Natsuo Kirino | 1997 | Japanese | Japanese | |
| 17010 | The Ark Sakura | Kobo Abé | 1984 | Japanese | Japanese |