"Night on the Galactic Railroad" by Kenji Miyazawa.

Country: Japan
Written in: 1927
Pages: 192

With a title like that, how could you not be intrigued? Kenji Miyazawa died at the age of 37 before he ever saw fame, but now his works are considered classics among Japanese literature. A devout Buddhist, he used his children's writings to share ideals and morals.
*Note to the anime lovers out there- we'll be discussing the book, not the movie. It will be worth your while to read the book and join our discussion!

Here's a review: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-book-Night-on-the-Galactic-Railroad-about
"Night on the Galactic Railroad" (銀河鉄道の夜, "Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru") is a novel written by Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa. Published in 1934, it is a classic of Japanese literature and has been adapted into various forms of media, including anime films.
The story is set in a small Japanese town and revolves around a young boy named Giovanni, who lives with his mother and younger sister. Giovanni is often lonely and feels disconnected from his classmates and community. He is intrigued by the night sky and dreams of traveling to the stars.
One evening, Giovanni embarks on a mystical and surreal journey on the Galactic Railroad. He is joined by his classmate Campanella, and together, they ride a celestial train through the cosmos, visiting various planets, witnessing the lives of different beings, and encountering symbolic and allegorical scenes. The train journey serves as a metaphorical exploration of life, death, and the human condition.
As Giovanni and Campanella travel through the galaxy, they encounter both beauty and tragedy, and they engage in philosophical discussions about the nature of existence, the passage of time, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The story delves into themes of empathy, compassion, and the search for meaning in a sometimes harsh and indifferent world.
"Night on the Galactic Railroad" is celebrated for its poetic and philosophical prose, as well as its exploration of deep and existential themes. It is considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature and is often studied in schools and universities in Japan. The novel has been praised for its timeless and universal themes that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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New to the Hungry Hundred Book Club? Here's what you need to know:

1. Read the book (If you don't manage to finish it by the meetup date, don't worry. As long as you're not going to be too disappointed by spoilers, you're still welcome to join.)
2. Come to the meeting, usually (but not always!) on the last Sunday of every month.
3. Be prepared to order food/drink at the venue to show our appreciation for letting us use their space. This is a requirement. A lot of time and effort has been put into finding a place that will accommodate our group without an outrageous minimum charge or rental fee, and you'll never be asked to contribute to organiser fees, so please show your respect and support for the restaurant that's letting us use their space.
4. Discuss! It's a casual conversation, so don't be afraid to ask questions and let us know what you think.