Another reviewer said it was like reading a japanese author in translation, and in many way I agree. The writing was beautiful in paces, something expected of Miller, but the overall effect was somehow lacking. Yuji was immature and detached, his relationship with Alissa heart breaking, especially the denouement. ( )

What a wonderful reading! The story takes place in Tokyo from the Eve of 1944 until March 1945. The main character is stumbling between different worlds. First, his Japanese world full of traditions but in the middle of two wars and secondly the love to a half French woman with her ancestor's heritage of European lifestyle and literature. He is writing poems and stories about authors. It's difficult for him to find work, so that he would be able to support his family. His father is fallen in disgrace and therefore unable to earn money. His mother is very ill. His friends are turning away from him. He is lucky that he could escape from the military service due to his illness. He derives comfort from the daughter of a French man. They fall in love, get separated, find each other again only to lose each other due to the war.
It's brilliantly written with a lot of love for the characters and all the details. ( )