“Heart-lifting and inspiring, A Girls' Guide to the Islands explores the restorative and often-unexpected way that travel breeds connection.” —Nicole Trilivas, author of Girls Who Travel
The American writer Suzanne Kamata had lived in Japan for more than half of her life. And yet, she had never explored the nearby islands of the Inland Sea. First made famous by Donald Richie’s The Inland Sea 50 years ago, these small isles are noted for displaying artwork created by prominent, and sometimes curious, international artists and sculptors: Yayoi Kusama’s polka dot pumpkins, Kazuo Katase’s blue teacup, and a monster rising out of a well on the hour in Sakate, called “Anger at the Bottom of the Sea”—to name a few. Spurred by her teen-aged daughter Lilia's interest in art and adventure, Kamata sets out to show her the islands’ treasures. Mother and daughter must confront significant barriers. Lilia is deaf and uses a wheelchair. It is not always easy to get onto—or off of—the islands. And then there are the challenges of language, culture, and a generation gap.