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A review by booksnooksandcooks
Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan by Jake Adelstein
2.5
I’ll admit, this was one of the first books I’ve read about Japanese culture and society. So I started off with a rough introduction.
I’m torn between two thoughts right now. One, I find that Adelstein’s depiction of Tokyo’s underworld to be both startling (compared to how I’ve seen Tokyo/Japanese culture depicted) and obvious (because of this history of Japan and the emphasis on sex in Japanese culture because wow, that is pervasive). On the other hand, I do struggle with the fact that this is coming from an American who is viewing all of this from a biased and, respectfully, patriarchal douchebag. So often he appears to justify or excuse his beliefs but, frankly, I’d probably throw a drink at him if I had a conversation with him in person. He definitely enjoys the shock value writing of a journalist.
Interesting book that has made me want to read more about Japan, but also ehhhh, probably wouldn’t recommend for others.
I’m torn between two thoughts right now. One, I find that Adelstein’s depiction of Tokyo’s underworld to be both startling (compared to how I’ve seen Tokyo/Japanese culture depicted) and obvious (because of this history of Japan and the emphasis on sex in Japanese culture because wow, that is pervasive). On the other hand, I do struggle with the fact that this is coming from an American who is viewing all of this from a biased and, respectfully, patriarchal douchebag. So often he appears to justify or excuse his beliefs but, frankly, I’d probably throw a drink at him if I had a conversation with him in person. He definitely enjoys the shock value writing of a journalist.
Interesting book that has made me want to read more about Japan, but also ehhhh, probably wouldn’t recommend for others.