Historical Fiction· Japan
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
by Eleanor CoerrAggregate Editorial Score30/100
#32,013of 99,626 books
Publishers Weekly
Published 1977English
Buy on Amazon → About This Book
Eleanor Coerr's Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (1977) stands as one of the most significant works of historical fiction of its era. Published in 1977, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is a richly researched historical novel that brings the past to vivid life.
Book Details
About the Category
🗺️ Historical Fiction
Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.
Explore all Historical Fiction books →Country of Origin
🇯🇵 Japan
This book is part of Japan's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from Japan →Editorial Assessment
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr sits within the tradition of historical fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1977 in Japan, it engages with the human condition in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention.
With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
What distinguishes Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is how it handles its central concerns — the human condition — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
Eleanor Coerr's role in the literature of Japan is well established. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Publishers Weekly
notable · national
197730
Eleanor Coerr is a Japan author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.
What to Read Next
literary-fiction
Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
historical-fiction
Wolf Hall
Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
literary-fiction
The Tin Drum
Günter Grass· 1999
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score98/100
literary-fiction
Celestial Bodies
Jokha Alharthi· 2010
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score93/100
literary-fiction
A Brief History of Seven Killings
Marlon James· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score89/100
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular on 50 Best Books
Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides