The American writer Suzanne Kamata had lived in Japan for more than half of her life, yet she had never explored the small nearby islands of the Inland Sea. The islands, first made famous by Donald Richies The Inland Sea 50 years ago, are noted for displaying artwork created by prominent, and sometimes curious, international artists and sculptors: Naoshima s wealth of museums, including one devoted to 007, Yayoi Kusamas polka dot pumpkins, Kazuo Katases 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 Lilias burgeoning interest in art and adventure, Kamata sets out to show her the islands treasures. Mother and daughter must confront several barriers on their adventure. Lilia is deaf and uses a wheelchair. It is not always easy to get onto -- or off of -- the islands, not to mention the challenges of language, culture, and a generation gap. A Girls Guide to the Islands takes the reader on a rare visit by a unique mother and daughter team.
