David Joiner

I enjoyed this. A story of an American lecturer at a Japanese university and his love of ancient Japan and its traditions, often at odds with his Japanese wife's more modern outlook and desire to move to Tokyo. The novel works best with its descriptions of the Kanazawa area, less so with certain characters and the development of the story. I couldn't help but feel that this was a very autobiographical novel, which is fine. For me, it's an interesting companion piece to Iain Maloney's non-fiction account of his life in rural Japan, 'The Only Gaijin in the Village'. Both illustrate life beyond the big city and our preconceived ideas of the Japanese metropolis, which is to be welcomed. An interesting and worthwhile novel, well-written and different enough to stand out. 4 stars.… (plus d'informations)