As the daughter of Kazuo Ishiguro, Naomi Ishiguro could easily have spent her career in someone else’s shadow. Instead, she has established herself as a distinctive literary talent in her own right, earning praise for her imaginative, genre-blending fiction; first with her story collection Escape Routes, then with her debut novel Common Ground.
Now, with The Rainshadow Orphans, she has embarked on a beguiling new fantasy trilogy. But which are the books that inspired it? Here, Ishiguro shares the five fantasy novels that have shaped her life and writing…
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch“Not just my favourite fantasy novel, but maybe my favourite novel of all time in any genre, The Lies of Locke Lamora is a work of high-wire storytelling genius with a gorgeous, beating, bleeding heart. By turns a heartfelt novel about the power of found family, a revenge drama, and a study in whether it’s ever possible to outsmart the vagaries of fortune, it’s both profound and shockingly good fun.
“I think the modern fantasy genre takes so much of its DNA from the 19th Century novel: and I love narratives on this vast scale, filled with plot intricacies, loveable characters, genuinely deft twists and lavish attention to mood and atmosphere. I often describe this novel to people as being like Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, but even better.”
Gollancz, £10.99
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor“This is the perfect remedy for anyone feeling a bit down – whether at the divided state of the world, or because life just happens to be feeling a little flat. Laini Taylor excavates hope and love from a backdrop of a multi-generational war, and demonstrates an almost sacred commitment to celebrating the magic of everyday joy, no matter how dark things become.
“These pages are filled with art, friendship, music, love, delicious food, creativity and the beauty of snowflakes falling on winter Prague. ‘If it’s not chocolate, it’s not breakfast!’ declares the resolutely joyful Zuzana to her blue-haired best friend Karou, and it’s become something of a personal mantra for me: a declaration of intent for embracing the sweetness of each day.”
Hodderscape, £9.99
Babel by R F Kuang
Babel by R F Kuang“Babel is a perfect continuation and subversion of the Victorian novel. A coldly intelligent and furious look at the violence of colonialism and the hypocrisies of the British state, via an ingenious fantasy plot device based on the magic of language, and the power held in the dissonant spaces between supposedly equivalent words in the practice of translation.
“I was gripped by the urgency of the story, the heartbreakingly vivid characters, and the deeply ambiguous, claustrophobically all-pervasive atmosphere of Oxford University.”
HarperVoyager, £9.99
A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos
A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos“I’ve long been an avid fan of hand-drawn animation, and somehow A Winter’s Promise seems to capture a similar magic to this medium for me, except in novel form. I loved the striking visuals – a dreamlike combination of kooky, steampunk, and classic European fairytale, as well as the sheer delight Dabos takes in the power of unbridled imagination.
“I’ve rarely encountered such joyously original worldbuilding as in this world of floating Arks, and especially loved spending time on the Ark of Anima, where objects have souls, and therefore distinct personalities.”
Europa Editions, £9.99
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K LeGuin
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K LeGuin“Given it’s now an undisputed classic, I know this one is one is hardly news. But it is so stunning though that I couldn’t not mention it! A Wizard of Earthsea has the gravitas of an ancient fable, and yet somehow stays light on its feet. It’s never sanctimonious or preachy, and yet is so thoughtful about our relationships with the natural world and with other human beings.
“It also holds a lot of wisdom about how we might live with the consequences of youthful mistakes. Ultimately, I found this novel a wonderful reminder that however dominated by darkness you feel, you can still bring so much light to others, and too, that however fearful of your shadows you might be, you aren’t alone in facing them – you can find the courage.”
Puffin, £8.99
‘The Rainshadow Orphans’ by Naomi Ishiguro is published by Solstice Books, £22
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