How Do You Live?
A brief reflection on books that changed me
Some books have changed me forever. Completely by surprise, they struck me like lightning and left deep marks on my soul. It was as if these books spoke to me and to no one else. In my experience books like these are incredibly rare, so what a joy to read such a book over the last few weeks.
The once-banned(!) ‘How Do You Live?’ by Genzaburō Yoshino is a true gem. How dear it has become me. Yoshino’s 1937 novel is a humble one. Generous and kind. Loving, caring. A book to cherish. Call me naïve, but the world would be a better place if children, teenagers or just everyone would read this book…
The story is set up cleverly. Each chapter, the 15-year-old Junichi Honda, nicknamed Copper, exchanges his experiences with his uncle who then gives his views on these life-changing events of the youth through letters and in conversations. In this way, the book doesn’t impose any views. They are presented to you. And they are not cliché setups or one-sided truths. They are trials.
Precisely this, the awareness that life is not a one-sided simple affair causes the book to breathe with sincerity. Growing up and being human is quite the struggle. In being truthful to itself and to its readers, it manages to show its readers painful situations that they can recognize. And then it raises the question: are you an honest and emphatic person? How do you live? And is this in check with who you want to be? And with who you wanted to be when you were young?
This way in which ‘How Do You Live?’ demands the reader’s reflection, made me think of similar reading experiences.
To list some of my favorites:
When I reflected on these novels I started wondering; is there a secret behind these books?
I think they are treasures. Soul explorations that will shine forever. Dug up by writers with an abundance of cosmic insights. Given to us by them, shining lights, to hold in our hands. We only need to commit ourselves to it and read them and then live with them and by them.
But… that’s a lame conclusion. Let’s not over-mystify. What do they have in common?
I would say that their authors know that big things can be said in small (thin) books. Above all, their authors are great writers who can pull that off.
Whether it concerns a Huck Finn’s Mississippi-raft-trip, the miniature asteroid planet B612, a friendship in the French countryside or subconscious soul searching in the period around the First World War, the settings of these stories are strong, but the magic lies in the personal reflection and growth we as readers are allowed to witness.
As readers we are served Aha-Erlebnisesse we either know and/or get to know more profoundly or get to know through the book. The spiritual, ethical and emotional trials shape the characters and they shape us. Like awakenings.
To me this is because their authors write out of honesty, not out of vanity. It is no coincidence that this is what these authors were attacked and known for as persons. Honesty is not always appreciated. Likewise in their writing they are so honest that it hurts everyone. Their characters, their readers, but also themselves. Like life itself.
In the end there is no point in lying or living a lie. To lay this bare truthfully, they make use of a child’s or teenager’s perspective. This intimate and naïve perspective on the world around us puts them in a different light. Exposes what we already knew: some things need to change.
This honesty that scrutinizes the inner world and the outer world gives these books a kindness that stings. Underneath it all lies a paradox we need to embrace: facing the reality and complexity of life may be incredibly painful, it is nevertheless an act of hope.
That is what I would call these books. Books of hope. With stories that stand up for humanity with dignity and love. Perhaps I will take the time to address these books in articles or essays here. But as I type this, this feels silly: these books speak for themselves!
So I guess with this article I just want to say 1 thing to: read them and let them into your life.
PS.
Above I call these experiences rare. I am always in search of them. So if you have books in this category that you would recommend, please do. Share them below in the comments section!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig helped me gain perspective on the life I have.