Book Review: Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
The Details
Media Type: Print Book
Title: Lonely Castle in the Mirror
Author(s): Mizuki Tsujimura
Publisher: Random House
Pages/Length: Paperback; 355
Release Date: May 2017
Source: Purchased
Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop
Seven students are avoiding going to school, hiding in their darkened bedrooms, unable to face their family and friends, until the moment they discover a portal into another world that offers temporary escape from their stressful lives. Passing through a glowing mirror, they gather in a magnificent castle which becomes their playground and refuge during school hours. The students are tasked with locating a key, hidden somewhere in the castle, that will allow whoever finds it to be granted one wish. At this moment, the castle will vanish, along with all memories they may have of their adventure. If they fail to leave the castle by 5 pm every afternoon, they will be eaten by the keeper of the castle, an easily provoked and shrill creature named the Wolf Queen.
Delving into their emotional lives with sympathy and a generous warmth, Lonely Castle in the Mirror shows the unexpected rewards of reaching out to others. Exploring vivid human stories with a twisty and puzzle-like plot, this heart-warming novel is full of joy and hope for anyone touched by sadness and vulnerability.
The Review
Full transparency, I fell straight into the maws of this book when I discovered that it’s going to be a movie soon! Ghibli can do no wrong in my eyes, and when this was optioned for a GKids film I knew that I absolutely wanted to read the book beforehand. A warning to potential readers, this book can be a little blunt and raw in some places. There’s a note about the author writing this book because of the lack of mental health services and representation in Japan, especially for children. So yes, please beware that there are tough topics in this book. Bullying, child abuse, and parental abandonment are all discussed, albeit not too deeply. They fit into the story beautifully though, and if you’re prepared I think you’ll find magic here.
The fact of the matter is that, whatever I expected to find behind the cover of this book, my expectations were far exceeded. The synopsis calls this a “heart-warming novel” is both spot on, and even a little bit of an understatement. Here is a snapshot of seven children who are struggling to find their space in the world. They’re each facing their problems, each feeling a little more broken each day, and each struggling all alone to make it to tomorrow. When they discover the castle in the mirror, suddenly there is friendship (even if it’s a little slow to build). There is support. There is understanding. Watching these characters interact with one another, and learn that they had so much to offer the world outside the mirror, really did warm my heart.
I will admit that this book is a little different that most of the portal magic fantasy books I’ve read before. This one focuses much more on the characters, but that feels right to me. Although they are in a world outside of their own, it isn’t the world itself that is actually important. It’s simply the space that gives these young people time and permission to figure themselves out, even if it seems imperfect to us readers. Time away from homes that make them feel like they’re drowning. If you’re going into this expecting magic and mayhem, you might want to adjust your expectations. This is a story of growth. Of learning, and of love. With just a bit of magic thrown in.
There’s something so comforting about a story like Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Even as an adult, and perhaps not exactly the person this story was originally intended for, it made me feel seen. Tsujimura has written a story that now lives deeply within in my heart. It reminded me of how important it is to keep the people who make you feel whole close, and to try to see beyond the surface level of things. I already know that this is a book I’ll come back to.
