Soseki Natsume was a very influential Japanese author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Natsume is considered to be the greatest writer in Japanese history and his classic novel Botchan is still one of the most widely read books in Japan. The main theme of Botchan is morality but the book is perhaps most noted for its humorous and sometimes sarcastic tone while detailing its serious events. The book is based off Natsume's experience as a teacher on the island of Shikoku.