How does learning a new language change the way we look at the world? How do we reinvent ourselves to fit into a new community? In his debut novel Kamogawa Runner, GIS professor Gregory Khezrnejat explores questions of language and identity through stories of non-Japanese living in Japan. 

https://bookclub.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000355622

In March of this year, the original story won first place in the Kyoto Literature Award for both the general and international categories. For further information, you can check out an interview with Professor Khezrnejat from his alma mater, Clemson University, which also commemorated the award and publication:

https://news.clemson.edu/english-alumnus-japanese-literature-award/

Professor Khezrnejat will also be doing two signings and talk events in Kyoto on Sunday 10/31: https://kyotobungakusyo.com/news/869.php

Please stay tuned for our own interview with the author!

In the meantime, to learn more about transnational Japanese literature and second language authorship, please see his courses on Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation (https://onl.tw/sHr1XWg) and Creative Writing (https://onl.tw/GrYkMLh).