I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS - Chapter 11: Extra

Extra

I think the slightly unsettling title “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas” is one of the reasons why all of you took notice of this book. Yes, even the author himself finds this book’s title slightly unsettling. But that all of you would be willing to pick up such a book, and even flip open its pages, has made me very glad. Thus, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude here, because this novel was written based on its title.

I personally like stories that are compelling and are of high entertainment value, and if such a story had a punchline, rather than just like it, I’d really love it. This time, the punchline that I’d set is the title “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas”. But just what sort of punchline is it? Please read on to find out.

To have a title that would attract both avid readers and non-readers alike, to write a story that would touch those who read it, and to create characters who would remain etched in the reader’s memory – those were my thoughts as I penned this novel.

The truth is that I’ve been wanting to go to Taiwan for the longest time, but having not gone up till now, I was in a complete shock when I found out that my work would become available to Taiwanese readers. And to think that my own creation would reach Taiwan before me, how enviable.

If I – in Japan – wrote something that could touch the hearts of all of you in Taiwan, then that would truly be great. Of course, I won’t arrogantly declare something like, “This book will definitely move everyone!” After all, our food, languages, and residences are all different, so perhaps even what we find interesting may differ too.

Even so, I still wish from the bottom of my heart, that no matter who reads them – if my stories can transcend the boundaries of nationality and culture, if all of you would think there’s a guy in Japan who writes rather interesting stories, then that would truly be great.

I look forward to forming such a connection with you who is reading this book.

Really, thank you all for your interest towards ‘I Want to Eat Your Pancreas’.

Yoru Sumino