Archery is the metaphor for literature; that's why, when I finished writing Haru, I burst into tears, something that had never happened to me before, because I knew that the arrow had shot itself. I understood that all the effort, all the faith I had to apply and sustain to keep writing for so many years, since I was 17 when I wrote my first novel, was not a mistake. —Author Flavia Company on Haru
Flavia Company's new book seems to condense the essence of life within its pages. —Francisco Solano (El País)
A story that, through a young woman's inner journey, seeks to convey a philosophy of life. It's a novel about acceptance and detachment, about love, life, and death—a coming-of-age tale filled with thought-provoking phrases that touches on human relationships, pride, insecurities, patience, perseverance, the struggle for survival, greed, and respect. —Benito Garrido (magazine Culturamas)
A book of love and teaching, and a lesson in philosophy and wisdom that Flavia Company has enclosed in this volume of almost 400 pages that fly by, like her naked and crystalline language. —elDiario.es
Flavia Company's new book seems to condense the essence of life within its pages. [Flavia] seems to have written a book that brings together the most essential aspects of life, inspired by a transparent style that could be said to be anonymous, in the manner of fables that do not claim to belong to any era and belong to all. —Babelia, literary suplement of El País
Company has decided that reality and fiction also mix in her authorship, she has turned the mirror upside down so that the reflection is the truth and the truth a lie, she has erased her name to give prominence to beings who do not even exist. To put it simply: she has become a writer without a shadow. —Zenda Libros
Flavia Company tells in this delightful story of apprenticeship the feelings hidden in the oriental tradition. A unique work, with a soul, that flows and breathes. A delicate, universal, magical tale. The story of a journey. Haru is a precise, clean text that explains what is necessary, the measure is fluid like the stroke that marks something in its continuous movement, and the figure below the text is the path of an arrow. It is a distilled text that surprises us with its poetic images, simple and powerful, that transport us to the essence of the protagonist. —Todo Literatura
Gentle, wise, unforgettable
50,000 copies sold in Spain thanks to the powerful mouth-to-ear phenomenon
After the death of her mother, Haru, a young Japanese girl, is sent by her father to a remote dojo where she’s expected to learn independence, wisdom, and discipline over five years of rigorous training. Haru, as stubborn as the bow she’s given, must slowly bend — not to force, but to the patient guidance of her three masters and the quiet strength of her seven fellow apprentices. Through ancient practices like archery, shodō, tai-chi, and meditation, she begins to uncover the deeper philosophy of life: presence, honesty, compassion, and the quiet power of humility and love. And when she faces life outside, her masters’ teachings will be more present than ever, but is she ready to go back home?
Minimalist, poetic, and quietly transformative, Haru is a literary experience that invites the reader to slow down and reflect. As Haru’s journey unfolds, so does a powerful truth: sometimes, letting go is the first step toward becoming whole. “Living here and now” will become not just her motto — but ours, too.
With 50,000 copies sold in Spain thanks to the powerful mouth-to-ear phenomenon, HARU has become a true reader’s favourite and a timeless cult novel for readers of all ages.