The Cake Tree in the Ruins

‘These deeply intense and parable-like tales of suffering tear at the heartstrings, but also show hope and resiliency in a nation haunted by war. . . Akiyuki Nosaka offers beautiful and haunting tales of suffering and starvation in the aftermath of the Allied bombing of Japan in World War II.’ -  – Nancy Powell, in Shelf Awareness

 ’Nosaka transmutes the pain of his personal experiences into sharp, heart-wrenching depictions of a country in desperate destitution… In each of these stories, the connections and relationships that are often taken for granted in day-to-day life are elevated alongside the stakes, shining intensely and brilliantly even as tragedy unfolds.’ — World Literature Today

‘Magical realism with the touch of a master… Nosaka, drawing on his own experiences, in just a few pages bringing to life a world now largely forgotten.’ — The Reading Life 

‘Remarkable stories… They are dark but so beautiful, so profound; subtle and elegant. It is a book that will last all your life.’ – Irish Times

‘Heart-wrenching…Tragic and imaginative… These short vignettes stand as chilling reminders of the wartime trauma inflicted upon Japanese youth during and after World War II.’ – Los Angeles Review of Books

‘Nosaka’s hauntingly sad and beautiful stories… remind us of the full tragedy of World War II.’ – Japan Times

‘One can only be shaken by these cruel and magnificent tales, which are also the most eloquent plea for peace imaginable.’ – L’Express

‘Moving snapshot of moments in the life of a shattered nation… Unforgettable.’ – Children’s Books Ireland