Philosophical Fiction Book Club

This event is supported by The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s Local Partners Programme.

N.B. this meeting will be held in person in the Prince of Wales pub near Covent Garden. There is also an online session held on Thursday if you are not in London or are not able to attend in-person.

Time for a shift from the ancient Mediterranean to Japan in the early 20th century. Published in 1934, Night on the Galactic Railroad is a fantasy classic that has been loved and adapted for generations. Written after the death of the author's sisters, the story explores grief, friendship and self-sacrifice, all wrapped in a train ride through the heavens.

FYI - The novella is often published as part of a collection with other stories, but we will just be discussing this one. There is also a manga version, which is an option if people want to read it as I believe that adaptation is unchanged from the prose version.

The meeting starts at 7pm with drink breaks at 8 and 9. The discussion will end around 10pm, but leave whenever you need to.

Here's the blurb from Waterstones:

Lonely and awkward, Giovanni struggles with his sick mother, absent father, and an afterschool job that isolates him from his peers. But on the night of the Star Festival, he is magically transported onto a celestial train with his best friend, Campanella. Together, they embark on an extraordinary journey through the galaxy, encountering mysterious characters and grappling with life's deepest questions. When Giovanni returns to earth, he faces the heartbreaking truth about their voyage.

Kenji Miyazawa, one of Japan's most revered authors, is celebrated for his poetic vision and ability to weave profound reflections on human nature into fantastical settings. A Night on the Galactic Railway is a powerful exploration of friendship, loss, and the mysteries of existence, cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece.

This event is supported by The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s Local Partners Programme.

N.B.: this meeting will be held online via Google Meet. There is also an in-person session being held on Wednesday in the Prince of Wales pub near Covent Garden.

Time for a shift from the ancient Mediterranean to Japan in the early 20th century. Published in 1934, Night on the Galactic Railroad is a fantasy classic that has been loved and adapted for generations. Written after the death of the author's sisters, the story explores grief, friendship and self-sacrifice, all wrapped in a train ride through the heavens.

FYI - The novella is often published as part of a collection with other stories, but we will just be discussing this one. There is also a manga version, which is an option if people want to read it as I believe that adaptation is unchanged from the prose version.

The meeting starts at 7pm with drink breaks at 8 and 9. The discussion will end around 10pm, but leave whenever you need to.

Here's the blurb from Waterstones:

Lonely and awkward, Giovanni struggles with his sick mother, absent father, and an afterschool job that isolates him from his peers. But on the night of the Star Festival, he is magically transported onto a celestial train with his best friend, Campanella. Together, they embark on an extraordinary journey through the galaxy, encountering mysterious characters and grappling with life's deepest questions. When Giovanni returns to earth, he faces the heartbreaking truth about their voyage.

Kenji Miyazawa, one of Japan's most revered authors, is celebrated for his poetic vision and ability to weave profound reflections on human nature into fantastical settings. A Night on the Galactic Railway is a powerful exploration of friendship, loss, and the mysteries of existence, cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece.