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andrewhall's review
4.0
A well-told story of a mixed-nationality family in small-town (Shikoku) Japan. An American wife, struggling to feel at home in Japanese society and a Japanese husband, who teaches and coaches baseball at a local high school, occupations that he gives all of his time and attention. They have two children, one with multiple disabilities. A third POV character is a Japanese high school boy who has transferred from Atlanta, where he had lived several years, and his friendship with a girl from a troubled home.
The author is an American woman married to a Japanese high school baseball coach, and has a daughter with the same disabilities, so she knows what she is writing about. She does a great job of showing the experience of foreigners in Japanese society, and elucidating the world of contemporary Japanese families. Many of her observations were spot-on. She did a good job with the story, and is a skilled prose writer.
The author is an American woman married to a Japanese high school baseball coach, and has a daughter with the same disabilities, so she knows what she is writing about. She does a great job of showing the experience of foreigners in Japanese society, and elucidating the world of contemporary Japanese families. Many of her observations were spot-on. She did a good job with the story, and is a skilled prose writer.
cassies_books_reviews's review
4.0
What a beautifully written book that makes you stop and think.
Christine is an American teacher in Japan who marries Hideki Yamada an aspiring Japanese high school baseball coach. Hideki pours his time fully into his baseball team. The couple have two children a girl Emma who’s afflicted with cerebral palsy, shes only able to speak to her mom through sign language and a sensitive boy named Koji. Christine has a hard time with the cultural differences, she dresses differently and it stands out like her sunglasses and hat and bright red dress, while the other woman have a parasol and elbow-length gloves and when they reach a certain age they wear dark dresses. Christine struggles with having a daughter with a disability and a husband whose distant and focuses on his baseball team. When a player arrives one that can change his entire time he finds himself facing an ultimatum his family or his team. Christine begins to reevaluate her home life, and when she takes a trip back home to the states, her eyes are opened to a new life one filled with possibility and maybe a different love. What will either of them choose? The baseball life has everything flawed characters, cultural differences, violence and ultimately forgiveness. Four stars!
Christine is an American teacher in Japan who marries Hideki Yamada an aspiring Japanese high school baseball coach. Hideki pours his time fully into his baseball team. The couple have two children a girl Emma who’s afflicted with cerebral palsy, shes only able to speak to her mom through sign language and a sensitive boy named Koji. Christine has a hard time with the cultural differences, she dresses differently and it stands out like her sunglasses and hat and bright red dress, while the other woman have a parasol and elbow-length gloves and when they reach a certain age they wear dark dresses. Christine struggles with having a daughter with a disability and a husband whose distant and focuses on his baseball team. When a player arrives one that can change his entire time he finds himself facing an ultimatum his family or his team. Christine begins to reevaluate her home life, and when she takes a trip back home to the states, her eyes are opened to a new life one filled with possibility and maybe a different love. What will either of them choose? The baseball life has everything flawed characters, cultural differences, violence and ultimately forgiveness. Four stars!
sapuche's review
5.0
It's taken me far too long to read Suzanne Kamata's work, but I'm glad I finally bought and read The Baseball Widow. A thoroughly engrossing read, I loved the material about Japan's high school Koshien baseball tournament, and I really appreciated how deftly Kamata moved the story not merely between her complex and well-developed characters but also between Japan and the U.S. I look forward to reading more of Kamata's work soon.
jayraereads's review
4.0
⚾️Christine is an American school teacher living in Japan. She meets and falls in love with Hideki, a high school baseball coach. They have two children, Emma who has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound, and Koji who is bullied at school.
⚾️Being in a foreign country and taking care of her two children has Christine needing her husband more than ever. But he spends 90% of his time and energy on his baseball team. So aside from some other American wives, she feels all alone.
⚾️The characters in this story are very easy to emphasize with, especially when the chapter is told from the individual’s point of view. When Christine had enough and leaves to go back to America to do what’s right for her and her children, I was rooting for her.
⚾️This story definitely has more serious plot themes and will make you think.
⚾️Being in a foreign country and taking care of her two children has Christine needing her husband more than ever. But he spends 90% of his time and energy on his baseball team. So aside from some other American wives, she feels all alone.
⚾️The characters in this story are very easy to emphasize with, especially when the chapter is told from the individual’s point of view. When Christine had enough and leaves to go back to America to do what’s right for her and her children, I was rooting for her.
⚾️This story definitely has more serious plot themes and will make you think.
hedyd's review
3.0
The cover of The Baseball Widow is simply gorgeous. For those wishing to know more about an American expat’s experience living in Japan and also about the Japanese baseball culture this book is for you. The book is written from 4 main characters’ perspective: the husband, the wife, a player and the player’s mother (although her chapters suddenly drop off). The book was ok. 2.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to the publisher and author for the complimentary copy I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
Thanks to the publisher and author for the complimentary copy I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
literallybookedsolid's review
4.0
In a story that spans multiple continents and different cultures, The Baseball Window tells two concurrent stories about family, assumed duty, and love. Christine and Hideki live their lives according to baseball. With two children, one disabled, they struggle to find balance. Daisuke has come back home to Japan after a few years living in Atlanta to play baseball in hopes of making it to the championships. Told in multiple points of view, The Baseball Widow explores what happens when life isn't exactly how you imagined it would turn out.
It took me a hot minute to get into the story and sort out the different characters. But once I did, I found myself quickly turning pages to figure out what would happen next. I really enjoyed the glimpse into Christine and Hideki's struggling marriage. It seemed like they had a lot stacked against them and the author explores what happens when life isn't exactly what you signed up for when you say, "I do."
The portrayal of Hideki's plight to make it to the championships as a coach felt very real and accurate. Being a high level coach is difficult and the pressures can not only impact yourself, but also your family. There is truly no off season and this hinders you being able to see your family.
The story line of Christine's struggles with her disabled daughter and son who was being severely bullied was heartbreaking. As a mom, you want to do everything you can to help your children, but when raising children as a Westerner in a foreign country, it can be a struggle at best. Clashes of tradition, cultural expectations and lack of resources drove Christine to make some suspect decisions, but when faced with surmounting pressures, I can see why she did what she did.
It took me a hot minute to get into the story and sort out the different characters. But once I did, I found myself quickly turning pages to figure out what would happen next. I really enjoyed the glimpse into Christine and Hideki's struggling marriage. It seemed like they had a lot stacked against them and the author explores what happens when life isn't exactly what you signed up for when you say, "I do."
The portrayal of Hideki's plight to make it to the championships as a coach felt very real and accurate. Being a high level coach is difficult and the pressures can not only impact yourself, but also your family. There is truly no off season and this hinders you being able to see your family.
The story line of Christine's struggles with her disabled daughter and son who was being severely bullied was heartbreaking. As a mom, you want to do everything you can to help your children, but when raising children as a Westerner in a foreign country, it can be a struggle at best. Clashes of tradition, cultural expectations and lack of resources drove Christine to make some suspect decisions, but when faced with surmounting pressures, I can see why she did what she did.
danireads1225's review
5.0
This book was so good!! I learned so much about Japanese culture and found it so interesting.
There are two stories interwoven in this book. The first is about Christine, an American woman, and Hideki, her Japanese husband. They live in Japan, where baseball is Hideki’s life. Christine thinks her and their kids, one of whom has medical needs, will fare better in America. But Christine learns the grass is not always greener on the other side.
The other story is of Daisuke, who is one of Hideki’s players. Daisuke has been living stateside, and comes back to Japan. He has to re-acclimate himself to the culture.
This book was so emotional, and made you think about your life. Phenomenal read that is also available in KU.
There are two stories interwoven in this book. The first is about Christine, an American woman, and Hideki, her Japanese husband. They live in Japan, where baseball is Hideki’s life. Christine thinks her and their kids, one of whom has medical needs, will fare better in America. But Christine learns the grass is not always greener on the other side.
The other story is of Daisuke, who is one of Hideki’s players. Daisuke has been living stateside, and comes back to Japan. He has to re-acclimate himself to the culture.
This book was so emotional, and made you think about your life. Phenomenal read that is also available in KU.
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