How Do You Live

By: Genzaburo Yoshino, Bruno Navasky, Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

The first English translation of the classic Japanese novel, a childhood favorite of anime master Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle), with an introduction by Neil Gaiman.

First published in 1937, Genzaburo Yoshino’s How Do You Live? has long been acknowledged in Japan as a crossover classic for young listeners. Academy Award-winning animator Hayao Miyazaki has called it his favorite childhood book and announced plans to emerge from retirement to make it the basis of a final film.

How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, 15, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live.

This first-ever English-language translation of a Japanese classic about finding one’s place in a world both infinitely large and unimaginably small is perfect for readers of philosophical fiction like The Alchemist and The Little Prince, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand one of his most important influences.

©2021 Genzaburo Yoshino (P)2021 Recorded Books

life lessons needed

perfect and a must listen. I think this is needed for multiple generations and it still rings true decades later

Deeply touching

It’s hard to describe this book. I read it because it was the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s film The Boy and the Heron although on the surface they have nothing in common other than being set in Japan and the main character being a 12-15 year old boy. However they both explore the themes of family, friendship and taking responsibility for one’s own life and actions. Beautifully written and thought provoking.

something to look back on and remember

Love this book. I read it because I'm a huge studio Ghibli fan and I wanted to read what mHayao Miyazakiade Hiao think the way he does it's inspiring and really makes you look at everything differently i want to now read the other books mentioned in this.

I love it.

I enjoyed this story. It is hard to believe this was written in 1930's. What the author wrote is universal.

Love everything narrated by Brian Nishii

This book holds so many good life and educational lessons while also telling an excellent story. I can’t wait to see what Miyazaki does with it and highly recommend listening or reading the book!

A beautiful book about being human

I loved the imagery, inner world, and portrayal of the relationship between Copper and his uncle. I would recommend this to people young and old.

Insight From a young man

This book is amazing story talks about many ways that as humans we can be better people.

Wonderful

I decided to listen to this book because of a up coming movie from Studio Ghibli and I couldn’t recommend more! I felt like I learned so much from this book, about life and studies. If you’re looking for a wholesome read this is the book for you :)

Profound, concise- strangely contemporary

This is books is what it claims - as musing through adolescence about ethics, friendship and choices. I understand why it’s so influential in Japan

How relevant it still is.

Loved that he made this parables rather than a treatise. Highly recommend this to people of all ages.