Alan Brown (1)Critiques

An easy read with likable characters, provides a glimpse into 1990s Tokyo through the eyes of student Toshi (who craves Americana) and older best friend Paul (who craves Japanese); each character serves to explore the idea of foreignness. Almost Austenesque, doesn’t try too hard and has some lovely images, yet the book is lacking in an emotional punch. Toshi is a little too reactive instead of being the one who has any true transformation, most of plot is external to him. Enjoyable (especially if you’ve ever lived in an Asian country) and stylish but not a second read. Author’s debut/single novel, he went into film afterwards. The book is very visual.½

It seemed like a lot of people did not care for this book, but I really enjoyed it. I thought the similarities in the women portrayed in the story were interesting. I don't know a lot about Japanese culture - mainly just what I have read - so I can't speak to any authenticity about how Americans were portrayed in Japan during this time period but, considering the author did live in Japan during the time period of the novel, he probably saw some of this going on. I liked the story of the main character and the flashbacks of his life. This novel made me want to read more stories taking place in contemporary Japan.

At its heart, Audrey Hepburn's Neck is about difference--yearning for difference, fearing difference, and the same time hoping that there is no such thing. Between cultures, between individuals, and between futures.

Brown has drawn here a man who believes he knows his history, and his future, as well. Toshi thinks he knows who he is, and who his (simple) parents are, and what he wants. If not the reasons, he believes he knows who he is, and so he wanders forward. And as difference confronts him and he finds that his history and his future are hopelessly comingled, to the point of determining his passions, he is both completed and undone.

This sounds vague, and messy, and it is, but the book is anything but. Brown has drawn a masterfully detailed protagonist who any reader can both relate to and fear, and he's done a magnificent job. This book is not what I thought I was picking it up, and it is not flighty or simple, however easy and fast a read it may be. Instead, it is compelling and incredibly difficult, and a bit heartbreaking for how truly true it feels.

Yes, it's recommended.½

Expats as seen through the eyes of a Japanese student of ESL. Soaked with arch humor as it can only be with someone familiar with Japanese culture. A whacky, charming romp through Tokyo.

When eight cadets are left behind at an isolated military high school, the greatest romantic drama ever written seeps out of the classroom and permeates their lives. Incorporating the original text of 'Romeo and Juliet,' YouTube videos, and lip-synced Indie rock music, Private Romeo takes us to a mysterious and tender place that only Shakespeare could have inspired.

Toshi Okamoto was born on a Japanese island. He always had a fascination with American things including the actress Audrey Hepburn.

While still a teenager, he is seduced by his American teacher. His reaction was not shock more of that is what life must be like.

Later, he goes to a city and meets Paul Swift. Paul is an American living in Japan. He is a homosexual and has recently lost a partner to AIDS.

The author writes in a lyrical manner and tells the story of the different cultures intermingling. An entertaining event is when a cab driver is amazed when he sees a number of foreigners. Even though this was only three Australians, it still caused a stir.

This is a carefully crafted story that is a pleasure to read.

The conclusion is somewhat in the Alfred Hitchcock mode in that something changes and it gives the reader a reason to pause and rethink preceding events.

A manga-style illustrator in Japan grows up as he learns more about love, friendship, and his own assumptions and origins. The look at the life of trendy urban professions in Tokyo is fascinating, and some characters are endearing. Whimsical, surprising, and moving at times.½

A wonderful and poignant novel set in Japan, about a young man's fascination with Americans and their ways, and his own journey from the dark unknown of his parent' past during World War II. Well-written, painful at times, and illuminating about the two cultures. A very promising first novel.