三浦しをん氏の『墨のゆらめき』、オーディブル総合1位獲得後、待望の書籍化

Tokyo – Acclaimed author Shion Miura's latest novel, 『墨のゆらめき』 (Sumi no Yurameki), was released in book format by Shinchosha on May 31, 2023, following its unprecedented success as an Amazon Audible-first original. The story, which explores the profound connection between a diligent hotelier and a free-spirited calligrapher through the art of letter writing, captivated audiences as an audiobook, achieving the #1 ranking across various genres on Audible.

This unique publishing approach saw the full-length novel debut as an audiobook, a format Miura intentionally chose to explore the concept of "text" through sound. According to Shinchosha, the Audible version quickly garnered widespread acclaim, with listeners praising its humor, emotional depth, and the vivid portrayal of characters, leading to its top position in literary, humanities, and self-help categories.

The narrative centers on Chikara Tsuzuki, a meticulous hotel employee, and Kaoru Tooda, a talented yet unconventional calligrapher. Their paths cross when Tsuzuki seeks Tooda's expertise for invitation addressing, leading to an unexpected collaboration in a letter-writing service. Tsuzuki crafts the heartfelt messages, while Tooda masterfully replicates clients' handwriting, delving into the essence of human communication and the "voice" inherent in written characters.

Critics have lauded the novel for its engaging "buddy story" dynamic and its insightful exploration of the power of calligraphy. As literary critic Nobuko Yoshida noted, "Never before has a story so vividly captured 'writing' as this." Miura herself stated in a Mainichi Shimbun interview that she aimed to depict "the emotional changes of two individuals who meet through writing," emphasizing the "slithering and erotic" nature of their evolving relationship rather than focusing solely on it as an "occupation novel." The book's cover features a unique object by artist shikafuco, further highlighting the artistic depth of the work.