Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Goodreads.

Many thanks to the author, Clara Kumagai, NetGalley, and the publishers, Head of Zeus, for a digital ARC of this wonderful book, which was published in the UK on 6 March.
Adam is a typical teenager, still working out who he is and his relationship with people. He suffers from social anxiety and struggles when he has to play his cello in front of his classmates for an exam; he has a strained relationship with his distant, taciturn and often absent father; and his ex-boyfriend, Evan, dumped him but is now giving mixed signals. While all of this is going on, Adam discovers a diary in his attic. It was written by a young Japanese woman, and Adam becomes fascinated by her story. But then he starts seeing things he’s not sure are there, and he becomes scared...
This is such an impressive book. It retells the story of Madame Butterfly, introduces Japanese culture and myth, and shows how Adam becomes more secure in his place in the world. The three elements of the narrative are held in balance, never overwhelming each other, and the book is well-paced and keeps you interested in all three strands.
While it’s a young adult novel and Adam does feel immature at times to an adult reader, I think it would actually appeal to a lot of people who never normally read YA. It’s the kind of book that awakens a desire to know more, and I loved reading the traditional Japanese stories included. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good narrative with lots of character development, historical tales told through diaries, or books about a different culture.

You don't need to be a young adult to enjoy Songs for Ghosts. This was a beautiful and tense supernatural story, infused with folklore, set in both America and Japan (mostly the latter). The characters are diverse, exploring friendships and relationships, as well as sexualities and how this is complicated based on culture, as well as relationships with families that are defined by their culture or by secrets. Dynamics that are very real. Other areas explored are love and death, misogyny, racism, conformity, and consent and also finding a place in the world. The atmosphere throughout was phenomenally depicted, with very different experiences when switching between the present day and the past. When the ghosts come, or appear, the tension is heavy and intriguing, yet beautiful and haunting. There are stories relayed from the past, so beautiful and yet so sad, that didn't break the flow of the story, but enhanced and added a bit of Japanese culture that brought everything together. Kimagai's written style is perfect for the genre. The plot is flawless. It is fast paced, but without losing details. The switching between present day and the past are seamless yet defined, though I was more drawn to the past, but I did not dread the present day, which can often happen when you have a parallel narrative. This beautiful book had me turning each page, not wanting to stop and read it in two sittings around the day job and family - this is pretty good for me. I kept reading well into the early hours to finish it, as I just needed to know what was gong to happen next, what was the next reveal going to be. This is one of the best ARCs (advanced reader copy) I've had the pleasure of reading.

A beautiful and sorrowful read. We follow Adam who finds a diary in his attic, and who then heads to Japan.
Adam’s quest to find the author of this diary takes him on a journey of self discovery, love, loss, and so much more.

A wonderful read!

I really enjoyed Song of Ghosts while I do think the writing style might not be for everyone I really enjoyed it. One thing I really enjoyed is this novel seems to have stories within stories told with such beautiful writing.

I really liked the exploration of the different cultures and how Adam felt the struggle of being torn between two as did the woman in the diary. It’s a beautiful book both with the cover and the writing. I will be definitely getting a physical copy as soon as possible.

As always thank you to Head of Zeus & Zephyr for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

This is such a beautifully simple book that packs an emotive punch and will fill your heart with such joy and hope - a must read to remedy the troubles of today's world.

I found this very fast-paced. It was so incredibly detailed that I felt I missed some of the details. I felt that I didn't connect with all the characters because a lot of them are introduced quickly and superficially in the diary entries. The book's chapters are short and quick. I found the diary entries powerful and visual.

There's a lot of telling, in the dialog, and I thought the showing was good because of aiding the visual details. I did struggle with the constant "I said/he said/she said" dialog tags, as they were the only ones used.

This almost had me abandoning the book, but I kept going as I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I wish the dialog tags were more varied.

I thought Adam's relationship with his stepmother Kate and her baby son Benny was superficial. Maybe this was intentional, but I wanted it to be more detailed. I wanted to know more about his relationship with his father.
His home life was dealt with pretty briefly, and I wanted more detail. Kate and his father did seem caring towards him.

I did like Adam and Sylvia's friendship and how she was always supportive throughout the book. I liked Juncko.

I did feel for Adam in his struggle with langauge studies. I struggled with learning German.

I was interested by the mention of ghosts, and the visuals. Songs for Ghosts is a lesson in Japanese culture and music. I liked all the references to these, but think the book could have been enhanced by having a glossary at the beginning to refer back to, because there are so many concepts.

I enjoyed Adam's travels, althouth I did feel like his journey to Japan came way too late in the book, and was too rushed.

I found the musical instruments too difficult to visualize throughout the story, and would have appreciated more description to make them easier to visualize, since music is one of the big themes in the story.

I liked the mention of Kate singing to Benny.

Songs for Ghosts seemed mystical and mysterious. I was eager to find out what was going to happen every time Adam read the diary.

I enjoyed the mix of cultures in the book. The passion for both Japanese and U.S. culture is palpable and helps the book be immersive. I enjoyed the second half more than the first.

3 stars

Thanks to Clara Kumagai and Head of Zeus for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

This is the second of Clara Kumagai’s books I’ve read and the second that I have loved. I love how she takes traditional Japanese culture and entwines it with very modern stories. The previous had aspects of Sci Fi, but this was a contemporary about families, race and relationships.

This book had stories within stories within stories and I enjoyed them a lot. I enjoyed the re-imagining of Madame Butterfly and it was nice to see traditional ghosts stories I recognised from reading anthologies of traditional Japanese stories before.

This book doesn’t shy away from how complicated family can be, especially when there’s step family with a mixed race child. There’s multiple families involved with multiple dynamics and I found it really interesting to see them portrayed.

I can’t wait to see what Clara Kumagai comes out with next!

Clara Kumagai's 'Songs for Ghosts' was such a beautiful and heartwarming read that explored Adam, a Japanese-American student, who stumbles across the diary of a Japanese woman from years and years ago. He grows enthralled with the life of the diary's author and found himself inextricably connected to her life, finding pieces of her in his own struggles of resonating with his Japanese culture. His intrigue with the diary leads him to Nagasaki, where he explores Japan and also attempts to find his true self there, to fill the void that the diary left behind.

This was a captivating read, both light and melancholic, which the author balances perfectly with her steady and simple prose. In the first few parts of the novel, it alternates between Adam's POV and excerpts from the diary. As the story progresses, we see how Adam becomes roped into the world of the author, and his eventual desperation to understand and belong. His character was definitely complex, and definitely troubled, but undeniably human. He wasn't perfect; he had his flaws, and made some stupid choices, but he was just a kid lost in a world where he didn't feel he belonged.

One part I really enjoyed about this was seeing Adam's adventures in Japan. I've been to Japan myself and seeing it come alive in this book made me so nostalgic for that adventure. We see Adam journey around Kyushu Island (Nagasaki, Fukuoka, etc.), indulging in touristy things while also trying to find himself along the way. He meets people, he forges connection with host families and friends, and eventually, the pieces of his long puzzle are finally coming together.

This book was so in touch with Japanese culture, as well as the struggles of fitting in and belonging, the difficulty of resonating with a culture that seemed so foreign, and the desperation to understand. It also explored the cruelties of colonialism back in the day, touched briefly on the horrific events of the war and the effects that it had on people.

The reason I rated this 3 stars ⭐️ was that this story had such potential to be great while it was just 'good', in terms of the prose and characterisation, but it was still good enough to convey a message in a light-hearted manner.

Thank you to Head of Zeus for granting me this eARC in exchange for an honest review 💗

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7409008346

A very easy and nicely written read. All of the characters felt well rounded and real and some really interesting themes were explored - how it feels to be adopted, how it feels to grow up with a step-parent, how it feels to grow up gay in a culture that doesn't fully accept it, how it feels to grow up with parents from two different countries and cultures. I also loved the way the story unfolded across different timelines, with similar themes playing out in all of them. And I mostly loved the supernatural touches, although they were occasionally a little heavy handed and/or veered into horror genre territory. I always feel with something like a ghost that less can be more - as soon as it emerges too fully into the light it can start to feel a little silly (and weirdly enough, less real). But in any event I enjoyed this, and thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This novel explores identity and family through a beautiful reimagining of Madame Butterfly. Told through two timelines, this story explores characters from very different generations as they grapple with what it means to be true to themselves. Truly brilliant story.

I really enjoyed this book !! Loved the dual narrative and was such a fresh and original book! Equal parts spooky, fun and heartwarming

A haunting and beautiful story follows Adam, a Japanese-American teenager who discovers a century-old diary in his attic. Initially, he believes it to be a well-crafted tale filled with ghosts, love, and heartbreak, chronicling the life of a young woman in Nagasaki. But when he begins to see her ghost and hear her haunting melody, the diary is more real than he’d ever thought. Despite the hundred years separating them, Adam and the young woman find themselves caught between cultures, relationships, and the pain of heartbreak, in this deeply moving story.

After an argument with his father, Adam departs for Japan and a summer full of improving his Japanese, falling in love and uncovering the secrets of the past before it’s too late.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was moving, funny, and relatable. I enjoyed witnessing the development of both stories, although I found the young woman's narrative more compelling. Watching her age, process her grief, and connect with her past was deeply engaging. At the same time, I enjoyed watching Adam grow as he discovered who he truly was. Both stories are truly remarkable. I highly recommend this book and will keep an eye out for future works from this author.

4.5 stars
Songs of Ghosts is a beautiful and heart-warming story of grief, love, and discovery. It is a gripping read that had me hooked from the very beginning, and it is one I find myself thinking about often.

The story centres around seventeen-year-old Japanese-American Adam, who is struggling to find his place in life whilst also dealing with a break-up and messy family dynamics. He stumbles upon a diary in the attic that follows a Japanese woman from Nagasaki whose story is told in diary entries.

I absolutely loved the diary entries and learning more about our unnamed character and her life experiences. I really found the music and ghost element of this story fascinating, showing how the dead can find closure. I also really loved learning more about Japanese culture. I think Clara did an amazing job at reflecting on this history and the conflicting feelings it can bring, especially for Adam in this case.

This was my first Clara Kumagai book, and it will not be the last. I've already ordered her previous book and can't wait to dive into it. If you're looking for an emotional and thought-provoking story that will break you but also fix you, then I absolutely recommend picking this one up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai is a beautifully layered and evocative tale that intertwines personal identity, generational love, and the spectral presence of the past. Through the discovery of a century-old diary, the novel explores themes of cultural dislocation, love, and the restless spirits that linger between worlds.

The story follows Adam, a Japanese-American teenager who, while struggling with his sense of belonging, uncovers a diary belonging to a young Japanese woman from the early 20th century. This discovery pulls Adam into the woman's world, set in Nagasaki, as he becomes fascinated by her life and the ghosts she writes about. Initially sceptical of these supernatural claims, Adam finds himself haunted by his spectres, which leads him on a journey to unravel the mystery of both the diary and his own identity.

What makes Songs for Ghosts truly special is the seamless blending of historical fiction with elements of Japanese folklore. Kumagai brings the setting of Nagasaki to life with rich cultural references, incorporating traditional music and folklore, such as biwa music and the Heike Monogatari, which add a haunting, lyrical quality to the narrative. The story’s connection to Madama Butterfly is subtle but poignant, offering a fresh take on themes of cross-cultural relationships and their often tragic outcomes.

The dual storylines, one rooted in the past and the other in the present, are skilfully crafted, offering both a deeply personal exploration of Adam’s struggles with his identity and a historical lens into the life of a woman caught between two worlds. The ghosts that populate both timelines act as metaphors for the unresolved pains and unspoken truths that linger, influencing not only the characters’ actions but their understanding of who they are.

Songs for Ghosts is a compelling, thought-provoking read that resonates with themes of heritage, self-discovery, and the connection between generations. Kumagai’s writing is graceful and evocative, creating a sense of otherworldliness that will captivate readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This might have been one of my most eagerly anticipated new releases this year. I really love Catfish Rolling, I think it’s a remarkable achievement of a book, and I was waiting not-so-patiently for Kumagai’s second novel.

There is a lot to enjoy here. There are lots of complex family relationships, particularly between Adam and his father and stepmother, which were explored in a really interesting and nuanced way. The cross-cultural themes were another strong point, giving the story and the characters plenty of depth. It was also a really absorbing read, and although they sometimes jarred against the modern setting, I enjoyed the diary entries from the past.

This book juggles a lot of characters, themes, and ideas, and they didn’t come together quite as deftly as they did in Catfish Rolling. There were so many surprises in the last 100 pages or so that it felt slightly unsettling, with some plot lines having a surprising resolution and others having none at all. It’s a very ambitious novel, and it didn’t quite hit the mark when it came to tying everything together.

That being said it’s still a strong novel, and I will definitely be picking up whatever Clara Kumagai writes next!

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this book, but I found it super hard to get into. I wasn't a fan of Adam, and I wasn't as invested im his story as I would have liked yo br.
While it wasn't for me personally, I know a lot of people will love this book.

Clara Kumagai‘s Songs for Ghosts explores themes of personal growth and maternal love across generations.
The story centers on Adam, a young man of Japanese and American heritage, who discovers a Japanese woman’s diary in his attic. Struggling with a sense of aimlessness, Adam becomes engrossed in the diary, immersing himself in the life of an unknown woman in early 20th-century Nagasaki. This creates two parallel storylines, connected through the found diary.

I found the historical narrative, set in Nagasaki, particularly compelling. The author’s skillful integration of Japanese folklore, including the use of biwa music and references to the Heike Monogatari, added depth and richness to the story. The narrative echoes elements of Puccini‘s Madama Butterfly, but Kumagai offers a distinct and less tragic, yet equally captivating, perspective.

Adam‘s contemporary narrative, while essential to the book’s structure, resonated less with me. Perhaps as I was not the target of this book, I struggled to connect with his character and his journey to find his path.
However, a moment of unexpected relatability, and subsequent frustration, arose when Adam struggled with his Japanese language studies, despite his heritage and prior coursework. As a graduate in Japanese literature who also grappled with language proficiency and a thwarted desire to live in Japan, I found this particular struggle acutely familiar. Adam’s eventual journey to Japan, a dream I myself abandoned, intensified my mixed feelings.

The initial portion of the book required patience, but the narrative gained momentum in the latter sections, culminating in a satisfying resolution.

In conjunction with reading Songs for Ghosts, I revisited Puccini‘s Madama Butterfly in the Staatsoper Hamburg and Vincent Boussard production.
Re-watching this opera as an adult allowed me to appreciate its complexities and nuances, though I also found elements of it to be racially problematic.
The musical performance was exceptional, but the minimalist, modern set design felt incongruous with the story’s setting and atmosphere. While the staging aimed to represent the encroachment of American culture, it lacked the evocative power of traditional Japanese settings. Nevertheless, the unconventional staging offered a fresh interpretation of the opera and Cio-Cio-san‘s psychological journey.

At first, Songs for Ghosts felt slow and heavy, but once Adam finds the diary, I was hooked. His journey to Japan, uncovering his family's past, was so captivating and emotional, and I honestly felt like I was right there with him. The mix of Japanese folklore, rituals, and music made everything feel so atmospheric and magical, and I loved how the past and present started to blur together. It’s one of those stories that sticks with you—bittersweet, a little eerie, but also full of heart.

A dual timeline story with Adam in present day America and an unknown woman's diary in Nagasaki starting from 1911.

Of the two storylines, I was far more drawn to the diary. Our unknown woman wants to live life on her terms in a time and society which disapproves. She's intelligent and opinionated which eventually leads her into writing magazine articles for women on topics other than housekeeping and children. Then the diary stops. So what's happened to our writer and will we ever know her name?

Present day Adam is a mess. He's a Japanese-American teenager and has never really fit in. Adam's searching for identity and meaning primarily in romance: see's a boy, fancies so must snog immediately. It also seems that all the East-Asian boys that he meets are gay. On a trip to Nagasaki, he begins to start sorting himself out and working out what he wants for his life. He's also crucial for resolving what happened to our diary writer and this is where the coincidences just keep piling up and up and up. Whilst it's nice that ends are tied up, the coincidences made this feel trite rather than satisfying.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.