hikikomori, n. h?kik?'mo?ri; literally pulling inward; refers to those who withdraw from society.
Inspired by the real-life Japanese social phenomenon called hikikomori and the professional “rental sisters” hired to help, Hikikomori and the Rental Sister is about an erotic relationship between Thomas, an American hikikomori, and Megumi, a young Japanese immigrant hiding from her own past. The strange, insular world they create together in a New York City bedroom and with the tacit acknowledgment of Thomas’s wife reveals three human hearts in crisis, but leaves us with a profound faith in the human capacity to find beauty and meaning in life, even after great sorrow. Mirroring both East and West in its search for healing, Hikikomori and the Rental Sister pierces the emotional walls of grief and delves into the power of human connection to break through to the world waiting outside.
Named an Indie Next pick, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, one of Book Riot’s 5 to Watch, and an iBooks Store Editor’s Choice in hardcover.
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An Indie Next Pick · An Amazon Best Book of the Month
One of Book Riot's 5 to Watch · An iBookstore Editor's Choice
"A mesmerizing debut at once sorrowful, intimate, and optimistic."*
Megumi, a young Japanese woman living in New York and hiding from her past, is hired to help rescue Thomas, an enigmatic, scarred man who has isolated himself in his bedroom for three years. With the tacit acceptance of Thomas's wife, a passionate relationship develops between Megumi and Thomas. Its emotional impact and surprising conclusion will leave all three characters forever changed. Mirroring both East and West in its search for healing,?The Rental Sisterpierces the emotional walls of grief and delves into the power of human connection to break through to the world waiting outside.
"Strange and tender . . . [Backhaus's] writing, which is as clear and direct as flowing water, convincingly portrays the deepening connection between Thomas and Megumi." -The Wall Street Journal
"Remarkable." -The Toronto Star
"Written deeply, cleanly, sparely and gently, like fingers playing over the strings of a harp. Jeff Backhaus has apparently worked at many jobs, but it seems that he has now found his vocation." -St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Poignant . . . With poetic observations about the world from the view of an outsider-the outsider in a marriage, the outsider in a relationship, and Thomas, who feels like an outsider in his own life." -USAToday.com
"Backhaus's novel is courageous and spare, an enthralling success." -*Booklist,starred review
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