Introduction without Spoilers | Shin Iyohara's 'Three Kilometers to the Moon'

'Three Kilometers to the Moon' is a short story collection containing six tales with a temperature that feels like people who have stumbled in life, through a sudden trigger, touch upon the 'essence of science' and find a little salvation—that is the kind of collection it is.

Basic Information (No Spoilers)

• Format: Short story collection (6 stories in total)

• Features: Stories where science and human feelings intersect. It is stated in the publisher's introduction that it reaches both those who like science and those who are not good at it.

• Publication: Published in December 2018 (stated on the Shinchosha work page)

Author Information (Shin Iyohara)

• An author who studied earth and planetary science and has a background in research.

• Won multiple awards in 2019 for 'Three Kilometers to the Moon'.

• A writing style that 'depicts human drama alongside the pursuit of science' is his representative characteristic in recent years.

Awards Received

'Three Kilometers to the Moon' is introduced as a work evaluated by the Nitta Jiro Literature Award / Shizuoka Bookstore Award (Fiction Category) / Miraiya Novel Award and others.

Nitta Jiro Literature Award

An award that includes the lineage of 'nature and humanity,' represented by works themed on the natural world and mountain novels. The scope of the target area is indicated in the official announcement.

Shizuoka Bookstore Award

A regional bookstore award (with multiple categories) selected by votes from bookstore staff and library staff within Shizuoka Prefecture.

Miraiya Novel Award

A bookstore award based on on-the-ground sensibilities, where staff at Miraiya Bookstores nationwide choose the 'book they most want to sell right now'.

What does it mean that you can 'absorb specialized knowledge in 6 stories'?

The pleasure of this book is that the knowledge is not a 'lecture,' but rather dissolves into the breathing of the story. As for the motifs handled,
the moon / snow crystals / ammonites / elementary particles / volcanic stratigraphy / Mount Fuji are mentioned (= scientific perspectives are connected to daily drama).

Recommended for people like this

A short story collection that reaches both those who love science and those who are not fond of it.Furthermore, a hallmark of Iyohara's work is his signature technique of "depicting human patterns in various places alongside the pursuit of science."

• Those who want a "quiet sense of satisfaction" rather than "flashiness" after reading(Those who like short story collections that have a slow, lingering effect)

• Those who are not good at science but want to experience it through stories(It enters through the warmth of daily life rather than difficulty)

• Those who want to rethink that "the world is actually quite interesting"(The type for whom knowledge becomes a source of emotional support)