The Lucky Ride
A Novel Full of Opportunity
Published on 9. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-06-337624-3 (ISBN)
Description
Combining the whimsy and possibility of The Midnight Library with the mystery and revelatory power of The Secret, Come along for the ride of a lifetime in this heartwarming Japanese bestseller, a story about recognizing opportunities, embracing happiness, and discovering what true fulfillment looks like.
What if a single journey could change everything for you? What if it could lead you to new possibilities, help you reconnect with loved ones, or bring peace to your past?
In this charming story, the unluckiest man in Japan is given a chance to flip his fortunes when a mysterious driver appears, offering him the opportunity to seize a new path. Life's setbacks can often feel overwhelming, but in The Lucky Ride, you'll embark on a journey of self-growth that shows us that luck isn't something you're born with-it's a result of the choices you make and the positive energy you bring into the world.
Set off on this heartwarming adventure and discover that luck isn't a random gift-it's something you build over time, a treasure that can be passed down through the generations. Yasushi Kitagawa's uplifting and compassionate parable will inspire you to find joy in every moment, recognize the blessings in your life, and understand that by living each day with a good spirit, you're crafting your own luck, one ride at a time.
Translated from the Japanese by Takami Nieda
What if a single journey could change everything for you? What if it could lead you to new possibilities, help you reconnect with loved ones, or bring peace to your past?
In this charming story, the unluckiest man in Japan is given a chance to flip his fortunes when a mysterious driver appears, offering him the opportunity to seize a new path. Life's setbacks can often feel overwhelming, but in The Lucky Ride, you'll embark on a journey of self-growth that shows us that luck isn't something you're born with-it's a result of the choices you make and the positive energy you bring into the world.
Set off on this heartwarming adventure and discover that luck isn't a random gift-it's something you build over time, a treasure that can be passed down through the generations. Yasushi Kitagawa's uplifting and compassionate parable will inspire you to find joy in every moment, recognize the blessings in your life, and understand that by living each day with a good spirit, you're crafting your own luck, one ride at a time.
Translated from the Japanese by Takami Nieda
Reviews / Votes
Kitagawa delves into profound philosophical themes and explores the intricate dynamics of relationships in a captivating fusion of literary fiction and fantasy that will appeal to readers who appreciated the reflective depth or for those seeking solace in times of uncertainty or simply wanting to enjoy a lovely story. - Library JournalMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 183 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
288 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-337624-3 (9780063376243)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2025
HarperCollins
€16.33
Available for download
Persons
Yasushi Kitagawa was born in Tokyo and raised in Saijo City in Ehime Prefecture. He graduated from Tokyo Gakugei University and in 1998 founded a tutoring school in Yokohama called so-mei. He began his writing career in 2005, and his unusual worldview is admired by many people. Many of his works have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese. The Lucky Ride is his first novel in English.
Takami Nieda translates from Japanese into English and has received numerous residencies and grants in support of her translations, including the PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Her translations of Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro and The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart by Chesil were awarded the Freeman Book Award for YA Literature. She teaches writing and translation at Seattle Central College.
Takami Nieda translates from Japanese into English and has received numerous residencies and grants in support of her translations, including the PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Her translations of Go by Kazuki Kaneshiro and The Color of the Sky Is the Shape of the Heart by Chesil were awarded the Freeman Book Award for YA Literature. She teaches writing and translation at Seattle Central College.