Shigeaki Kato’s latest full-length novel “Nare no Hate” will be published on Wednesday, October 25.
The story takes place in Tokyo, Akita, and Niigata. The story is triggered by the air raid in Tsuchizaki, Akita, which is said to be the last air raid in Japan on the eve of the end of the war. This is a theme that Shigeaki Kato, who has his roots in Akita, has been keeping close to his heart. The film depicts a picture mystery of people trying to survive strongly while confronting the irredeemable karma of human beings.
Five different poster visuals depicting the world of the work are scheduled to be released. To commemorate the publication of the work, the October issue of “Shosetsu Gendai” to be released on September 22 (Fri.) will feature the full text of “Nare no Hate,” as well as a long interview with the author, gravure in Akita, the place where the work was set, and other features to further enjoy the work.
In addition, Shigeaki Kato’s personal Instagram account has been set up to coincide with the release of the book. He will be posting information on the book release of “Nare no Hate” as well as various other topics.
【Comment by Shigeaki Kato】
This work, which I had been thinking about since writing my previous work “Alternate”, has finally been completed after approximately three years of conception.
I consider “Nare no Hate” to be both an entertainment work and a problematic work, as it tackles the most grandiose theme of all my works.
This work is the result of my continuous questioning of what I should write in my (now) mid-thirties.
I chose to set it in Tokyo in 2019 and in Akita, my mother’s hometown, in order to immerse myself deeply in the story, but in the process, I learned about the Tsuchizaki air raid, one of the last air raids in Japan, and felt I was destined to write this novel.
Was it really me who wrote this novel, or was it written by something unseen? I am in such a strange mood now.
It is only now, after more than a decade as a writer, that I was able to write it with all my might.
I hope you will enjoy the world that unfolds from the mystery of a single picture.
