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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
As a long time Abroad in Japan watcher, this was both fascinating and delightful. I ended up listening to the audiobook and I'm so glad I did, not only to listen to Chris's stories in his own voice, but to hear all the hilarious voices he gives to the various "characters" throughout the book. Equal parts funny, informative and heartwarming, this was a great read and offered a more personal look at someone who's provided me so much entertainment over the years.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
A brisk, undemanding read that recounts one man's fish-out-of-water experience in the Land of the Rising Sun. I picked this book up without knowing that Chris Broad is a successful YouTuber, and I still found the writing and journeyman story to be welcoming. Broad has a remarkable knack for remembering key details from his early time in Japan (or at the very least, is good at creating details that feel believable) and arranges them in such a way that the reader gets a good feel for his culture shock. Moving to the town of Yamagata is a process of gradual discovery and bravery, from learning the rhythms of every day conversation, to the language itself, to inexplicably named food and drink (gonna have to try a can of that 'Pocari Sweat' if I ever rock up in Tokyo). There's a clear fondness on display for the challenge and incremental progress that comprises such a relocation, and it creates a cumulative sense of character and personality in the town and its inhabitants. Nothing that pushes the envelope - just a well-recounted piece of travel writing.
As noted by others, the book does lose some of its spark in the back third, once the narrative shifts out of the town and into the world of Youtube. What started as the tale of one man in a village spools into something larger and more impersonal - a story still filled with interesting stories about Japan, but missing the sense of a strong pov connecting it together. We get the barest hints of Broad's interest in filmmaking early on, and it acts as the mildest of Chekov's Guns when his virality kicks in. The prose, whilst crisp, emanates a certain anxiety, and it often feels like that anxiousness turns into embarrassment towards his own success (a trait I sympathise with: I have always despised writing about myself). As a result, the filmmaking is never embraced on the page the way Broad embraces his village friends, or learning the kanji for sake, or discovering the joy of Japanese Fried Chicken. It's here that not being familiar with Chris's Youtube backstory causes the most issues, and I imagine that watching his videos generates a tremendous amount of investment that sadly never makes it to prose.
Still, warmly recommended.
As noted by others, the book does lose some of its spark in the back third, once the narrative shifts out of the town and into the world of Youtube. What started as the tale of one man in a village spools into something larger and more impersonal - a story still filled with interesting stories about Japan, but missing the sense of a strong pov connecting it together. We get the barest hints of Broad's interest in filmmaking early on, and it acts as the mildest of Chekov's Guns when his virality kicks in. The prose, whilst crisp, emanates a certain anxiety, and it often feels like that anxiousness turns into embarrassment towards his own success (a trait I sympathise with: I have always despised writing about myself). As a result, the filmmaking is never embraced on the page the way Broad embraces his village friends, or learning the kanji for sake, or discovering the joy of Japanese Fried Chicken. It's here that not being familiar with Chris's Youtube backstory causes the most issues, and I imagine that watching his videos generates a tremendous amount of investment that sadly never makes it to prose.
Still, warmly recommended.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Insightful and informative. A good read.
I have recently started hankering after a trip to Japan, intrigued by the polaric cultural differences and lifestyle. Chris conveys a sense of this cultural divide and the excitement of immersing one’s self in all things Japanese. With thanks from a grateful armchair explorer.
I have recently started hankering after a trip to Japan, intrigued by the polaric cultural differences and lifestyle. Chris conveys a sense of this cultural divide and the excitement of immersing one’s self in all things Japanese. With thanks from a grateful armchair explorer.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Absolutely brilliant, this book is the definition of a page turner. One of the best books I’ve ever read, was sad to see it end.
Enjoyable and easy read overall. Started strong then sort of lost steam.
Was initially attracted to the subject given I studied Japanese for almost a year in anticipation of taking part in the JET program myself. Ultimately, I decided not to go forward with it.
As for the book itself, it was "ok" - I am not sure you'd be missing anything if you are already familiar with the author's Youtube channel. For the record, I wasn't, and only became interested after people raved about it. The channel's content is very good and Chris is quite a funny and entertaining fella, but just a couple of videos in I had already familiarized myself with most of the contents of this book, which loses much if its steam towards the end.
Given so much of it is already in video format, here's how I would go about writing this book:
Step 1: transcribe and download all of my youtube videos
Step 2: organize videos into chapters
Step 3: write a small sample passage myself
Step 4: feed my sample passage to an LLM model (or an A.I. as the ppl like to say) such as LLama or GPT4 - purely as style context
Step 5: upload my transcripts
Step 6: ask the AI to write book chapters by converting the transcripts to book passages using my "writing style" / tone of voice.
Step 7: do some minor editing
Step8: profits!
I'd say skip it and watch the videos instead.
As for the book itself, it was "ok" - I am not sure you'd be missing anything if you are already familiar with the author's Youtube channel. For the record, I wasn't, and only became interested after people raved about it. The channel's content is very good and Chris is quite a funny and entertaining fella, but just a couple of videos in I had already familiarized myself with most of the contents of this book, which loses much if its steam towards the end.
Given so much of it is already in video format, here's how I would go about writing this book:
Step 1: transcribe and download all of my youtube videos
Step 2: organize videos into chapters
Step 3: write a small sample passage myself
Step 4: feed my sample passage to an LLM model (or an A.I. as the ppl like to say) such as LLama or GPT4 - purely as style context
Step 5: upload my transcripts
Step 6: ask the AI to write book chapters by converting the transcripts to book passages using my "writing style" / tone of voice.
Step 7: do some minor editing
Step8: profits!
I'd say skip it and watch the videos instead.