A commemorative book
I have been a member of Robert Louis Stevenson Club of Edinburgh for about 20 years. This a kind of fan club of the great Scottish author was founded in 1920 by the friends of Stevenson, we celebrated the centenary of the club last year though every commemorative event had to be postponed because of the Covid19 pandemic. One of the things the club was going to do was publishing the commemorative book, a collection of short essays by the RLS scholars and club members. The club chairman has asked me to contribute - this was not because I was good at writing or other things, I believe, just because I was an only Japanese active member of the club X) - but, well, it’s my honour to join the project, so with the great help of my LJ friend vilakins I made my contribution and send it to the club - nearly three years ago. Recently, one year behind the centenary, they finally published the book and yesterday I got it.
This was far more proper, professional book than I have expected - and no wonder, there are many professional writers, journalists and academics among the club members - the introduction was written by Nicola Sturgeon, and the epigraph was by Paul McCartney (is he from a Scottish blood ???). And I found my own name and writing on one page of this book. It’s a great pleasure!
Though Stevenson is one of the most famous, popular authors in English literature, and we can buy many good Japanese translations of his works here in Japan, his name is not famous here, the ordinary Japanese do not know “Treasure Island” and “Jekyll and Hyde” were written by the same man. So until when I found the club and joined it, made some good friends in UK or in USA, I had had few people with whom I could talk about this Scottish writer and his works I love. Even after I have got many Stevenson-lover acquaintances, the language barrier, and the place I was born and have lived have often given me the feeling of isolation.
So, finding my name on this commemorative book published in Uk is, somewhat a reward to me, for the years I have spent as a fan of Stevenson. I feel like … my life and personality are affirmed. :)
This was far more proper, professional book than I have expected - and no wonder, there are many professional writers, journalists and academics among the club members - the introduction was written by Nicola Sturgeon, and the epigraph was by Paul McCartney (is he from a Scottish blood ???). And I found my own name and writing on one page of this book. It’s a great pleasure!
Though Stevenson is one of the most famous, popular authors in English literature, and we can buy many good Japanese translations of his works here in Japan, his name is not famous here, the ordinary Japanese do not know “Treasure Island” and “Jekyll and Hyde” were written by the same man. So until when I found the club and joined it, made some good friends in UK or in USA, I had had few people with whom I could talk about this Scottish writer and his works I love. Even after I have got many Stevenson-lover acquaintances, the language barrier, and the place I was born and have lived have often given me the feeling of isolation.
So, finding my name on this commemorative book published in Uk is, somewhat a reward to me, for the years I have spent as a fan of Stevenson. I feel like … my life and personality are affirmed. :)