I enjoyed reading this biography. I knew the Japanese were big Anne fans but I was not aware of the story behind it. The author has written a well researched biography of Hanako Muraoka, the woman who brought the world of Anne to the Japanese. It is well written and easy to read. Enjoy

This was a stunning look at this prominent Japanese literary figure by her own daughter and translated really beautifully. It showed glimpses of Japanese life in that specific period, which gave a lot more backstory and depth to the subject. I think this would be really interesting to anyone with a keen knowledge of Japanese and translated literature, and for anyone who wants to know more about life and some of the main famous figures in Japan in that day. I hope lots of people read this gentle, insightful story and grow their own understanding of this great woman.

This is the story of Hanako Muraoka, who translated Anne of Green Gables into Japanese. The book became remarkably popular in Japan and has remained so. This biography, written by her granddaughter, has now been translated into English for the first time, and what a great read it is. Well-researched, comprehensive and wide-ranging, with many evocative illustrations, it’s not only a portrait of a fascinating woman but also a chronicle of Japan’s tumultuous 20th century, and will be of interest not only to lovers of literature but also to anyone interested in social and cultural history. Hanako was involved in Japanese publishing for many years and devoted much of her life to bringing quality literature to as many children as possible. She was well-known and respected in her field and way beyond. It would appear at first glance to be quite a niche biography but it’s much more than that and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's much more than I thought it would be since Muraoka led such a full life and interacted with so many prominent Japanese figures. Due to that, you also get a robust glimpse of the rise of Feminism and Women's Literature in Japan during the pre and post war period. It's also a good look at the impact of Western missionaries on girls and women in Japan and the role of Christianity.
It's very readable and Muraoka led a busy and impressive life, not without personal sacrifice and tragedy. This is a translation so I also give kudos to the translator; it reads very smoothly and naturally which is not always the case with translations. I hope the book will be picked up by many readers.