Beautiful Star (novel)
A family of extraterrestrials tries to save Earth.
Beautiful Star is a 1962 science fiction novel by Japanese author Yukio Mishima. It follows a family of extraterrestrials attempting to save humanity.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Yukio Mishima
- Translator
- Stephen Dodd
- Genre
- science fiction
- Publisher
- Shinchosha (Japanese original)
- Published
- 1962
- English pub date
- 2022
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The Ōsugi family, living in Hannō, consists of Jūichirō, his wife Iyoko, and their children Kazuo and Akiko. They consider themselves normal until each one sees a UFO and remembers living on another planet. Their shared goal becomes saving Earth, which they call the "beautiful star," from destruction. They send letters to Khrushchev, travel across Japan advocating for world peace, and create the Universal Friendship Association. This group draws the notice of both other aliens on Earth and the police, who think the family might be communist. The aliens include Haguro, Kurita, and Sone, who want humanity wiped out, and Takemiya Kaoru, a Venusian who falls for Akiko. Akiko becomes pregnant but insists the conception was immaculate, with no sexual involvement from Takemiya. Jūichirō searches for Takemiya and discovers he is a conman and womanizer, likely human, not Venusian. He lies to Akiko, saying Takemiya returned to Venus. Kazuo, pursuing political power, betrays his father’s origins to Haguro and his group, who are linked to politician Kuroki. Haguro and Jūichirō debate whether humanity should be exterminated or saved. After this, Jūichirō falls ill with stomach cancer. During a confrontation, he admits his lie about Takemiya, and Akiko reveals his cancer diagnosis. He then decides the family must leave Earth, and they watch flying saucers together.
Characters
Jūichirō, the father from Mars, is mild-mannered and artistic. Iyoko, the mother, is from Jupiter. Kazuo, the elder son from Mercury, has political ambitions. Akiko, the younger daughter from Venus, has otherworldly beauty and is vain. Takemiya Kaoru claims to be a Venusian; he is quiet, enjoys Noh chanting, and falls in love with Akiko. Haguro Masumi, an assistant professor from the 61 Cygni star system, seeks humanity's destruction. Kurita is a bank clerk and Sone a barber, both from 61 Cygni. Kuroki is a politician Kazuo admires.
Reception
Mishima considered Beautiful Star his finest novel, yet it was met with indifference in Japan, selling roughly twenty thousand copies. Donald Keene turned down Mishima’s request for an English translation. In the Financial Times, Bryan Karetnyk commended the book’s humor, pacing, and “scenes of intense beauty,” along with Dodd’s translation. Lesley Downer, writing for The Times Literary Supplement, highlighted Mishima’s wit and style. Alexander Lee of The Critic offered a divided opinion, describing the novel as “stilted” science fiction and “humdrum,” but also “poignant,” and praised Dodd’s work. Lisa Tuttle, in The Guardian, called it “strange and rather awkward.”
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