A University of Sunderland graduate has penned a Japanese-themed series of books full of swords, sorcery and humour.
After graduating in 1990 with a degree in English studies, Jason Rohan went to work as a teacher in Japan. His experiences there – as well as his travels to destinations like India and Australia – inspired him to write The Kuromori Adventures, a trilogy of children’s books.
Now Jason will return to the north east to do a book signing at Waterstones in Durham on 30th September.
The hero of The Kuromori Adventures is 15-year-old Kenny, a British boy who relocates to Japan to live with his father. Kenny soon becomes involved in a secret war and – to save himself – has to deal with the challenges posed by both modern and mythological Japan.
The three books in the trilogy – The Sword of Kuromori, The Stone of Kuromori and The Shield of Kuromori – aim to give youngsters an insight into Japan’s rich history and culture.
Jason Rohan said, “My main inspiration was to show young readers what it is like to live in such an exciting place as Japan. For a country that touches our lives in so many ways, Japan remains largely unknown to English audiences.”
“Once I started delving into (Japan’s) rich trove of old tales, the plot fell into place and the book almost wrote itself.”
Hoping book 3 is every bit as good as the first 2! @Sunderlandalum @JasonRohan1 @JoDann @wstonesdurham pic.twitter.com/17FTPC9mgy
— Fiona Sharp (@fionamsharp) February 14, 2017
The book signing has been organised by Fiona Sharp. Fiona works at Waterstones in Durham and also runs the University of Sunderland’s Alumni Book Society.
Fiona said, “Jason’s books are full of laughs and adventure. They are perfect reading for anyone aged 9 to 99.”
“I don’t see Jason’s books stocked in many bookshops so I am trying to spread the word wherever possible.”
Jason feels his degree at the University of Sunderland gave him a good literary grounding. He said, “My wife is American and finished top of her class – but she was surprised to find I knew more about Greek, Renaissance poetry and Shakespeare than she did!”
Jason Rohan will be signing books at Waterstones in Durham on Saturday, 30th September between 11 am and 2.00 pm. For more information, please go to https://www.waterstones.com/events/jason-rohan-kurumori-adventures/durham.
(Featured image courtesy of Torley from Flickr Creative Commons)
