The Night Circus meets Lonely Castle in the Mirror in this multiawardwinning Japanese bestseller available finally in an English translation by Philip Gabriel a translator of Murakami AN FT BEST SUMMER READ 2023 OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD IN JAPAN WINNER OF THE NAOKI PRIZE AND THE JAPAN BOOKSELLERS AWARD A MAJOR MOVIE RELEASE IN JAPANA thrilling and often nailbiting depiction of music friendship and personal demons OBSERVERPropulsive and poetic KIRKUSWelcome to a magical world of music friendship and rivalry .In a small coastal town just a stones throw from Tokyo a prestigious piano competition is underway. Over the course of two feverish weeks three friends will experience some of the most joyous and painful moments of their lives.Aya was a piano genius until she ran away from the stage and vanished will the tall and talented Makun bring her backOr will it be child of nature Jin a pianist without a piano who carries the sound of his fathers bees wherever he goesEach of them will break the rules awe their fans and push themselves to the brink. But at what costTender cruel compelling HONEYBEES AND DISTANT THUNDER is the unflinching story of love courage and rivalry.