Portraits of a Mother: A Novella and Stories explores themes of faith, family, and human frailty through a collection of interconnected narratives. The titular novella focuses on a son reflecting on his relationship with his devoutly Catholic mother, grappling with guilt, love, and his own wavering faith. The accompanying stories delve into similar themes, portraying characters confronting moral dilemmas, spiritual struggles, and the complexities of forgiveness and redemption. Set against the backdrop of postwar Japan, the collection examines the interplay between traditional values and modernity, offering a profound look at the enduring impact of family and faith on personal identity.

Shusaku Endo (1923–1996) was a Japanese writer born in Tokyo and raised in Kobe. He converted to Catholicism at age 11, a faith that deeply influenced his works. Endo graduated from Keio University and later studied French literature in Lyon, France. His novels, including Silence  and The Samurai, explore themes of faith, suffering, and morality, often set in historical or cross-cultural contexts. He won numerous awards, including the Akutagawa Prize and the Order of Culture. Endo’s works have been widely translated, and Silence was adapted into a film directed by Martin Scorsese in 2016.

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Booking Details
Free for members of The Japan Society

Book available from Bookshop.org, Amazon, and Waterstones (translated by Van C. Gessel)
Japanese version available here