Lonely Castle in the Mirror”: an unforgettable emotional journey

Recently, I dove into a book that left a deep mark on me: Lonely Castle in the Mirror, by Mizuki Tsujimura. This book is not just a well-told story — it’s a sensitive and moving experience, one that takes us on an emotional journey through friendship, isolation, vulnerability, and mental health.

The narrative follows a group of young people — Kokoro, Rion, Aki, Fuka, Masamune, Subaru, Ureshino — and the mysterious Wolf Queen. Each of them carries their own pain, stories of bullying, anxiety, or not fitting in, and the way these wounds are revealed is done with rare delicacy. As the story unfolds, we develop empathy for each character, we root for them, suffer with them, and deeply wish for them to find peace and a sense of belonging.

What makes this work so special is the way it handles sensitive topics like mental health and bullying without unnecessary dramatics or clichés. Tsujimura gives depth to the characters’ experiences and manages to speak of pain with beauty — transforming suffering into something understandable, close, human.

When I closed the book, my heart was full and my eyes were wet. I didn’t cry out of sadness, but out of empathy and recognition — the kind of emotion that only happens when you see a bit of yourself in each character. It had been a long time since a book made me feel that way.

There’s talk that Lonely Castle in the Mirror might one day be adapted for film or television. I sincerely hope such an adaptation lives up to the sensitivity and message of this story — because it deserves to reach more people.

In short, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a book that goes beyond entertainment. Lonely Castle in the Mirror is an ode to empathy and the importance of being seen and understood. A quiet masterpiece that lingers with you long after the last page.

Here’s the summary of all this in the form of my Goodreads review of the book: