The Dictionary of mutual understanding - Jackie Completon

"The Dictionary of Mutual Understanding" by Jackie Copleton is a historical fiction novel set during and after World War II. It explores themes of grief, trauma, and reconciliation.

The story is centered around Amaterasu Takahashi, a woman living in the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. She is a survivor who, years later, runs a small, Japanese-English dictionary shop in Philadelphia. The narrative begins when she is confronted by a visitor from her past: a man who claims to be her estranged son, who was presumed dead in the bombing. This meeting forces Amaterasu to confront her memories of the bombing and the complex, painful relationships that shaped her life.

The novel shifts between Amaterasu’s present and flashbacks to the war and its aftermath, exploring the devastating effects of the atomic bomb on both the Japanese people and the American survivors. It delves into the scars left by war, loss, and cultural misunderstandings. As Amaterasu grapples with her past, she must also come to terms with the question of whether this man truly is her son.

Copleton’s novel blends personal trauma with historical events, capturing the deep emotional and psychological toll of war and the challenge of moving forward from such devastation. It reflects on the theme of mutual understanding between people of different cultures, especially in the context of postwar reconciliation.

The narrative unfolds with rich character development and a poignant exploration of memory, survival, and the search for connection across cultural and generational divides.