Lafcadio Hearn

In this lovingly compiled volume, the early twentieth‑century writer Lafcadio Hearn lets his own voice rise through a selection of personal letters. The correspondence, addressed to friends, colleagues and his half‑sister, reveals the thoughtful, often shy man whose curiosity for culture and language guided his wandering career. Readers hear his candid reflections on literary work, family ties, and the quiet moments that shaped his emerging reputation.

Among the most touching pieces are the letters exchanged with his half‑sister Mrs. Atkinson, a dialogue that veers from childhood recollections in Ireland to the vivid new world he encountered in Kumamoto, Japan. The birth of his son Kazuo softens Hearn’s erratic temperament, allowing him to write with a tenderness that balances his scholarly enthusiasm with everyday affection. Together the letters paint a portrait of a man straddling two cultures, inviting listeners to experience his intellectual wanderings and the private joys that underpinned them.