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A review by crazygoangirl
Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley
emotional
reflective
3.5
It took me a while to read this book because of my reading slump. I took a break after the Spring section to read Higashino’s The Final Curtain, because reading crime is my best bet for getting out of a slump. While I took the break, this book was on my mind, but I felt no compulsion to pick it up. It’s a book that ultimately was interesting, engaging even but not quite compelling enough.
This is primarily a book within a book narrative. Flo, the translator we meet, is our contemporary protagonist. She is seriously depressed having recently broken off a long-term relationship with her girlfriend Yuki and having reached a stalemate in her profession. She’s low on self-esteem and confidence and very high on self-pity and self-loathing. In short an extremely unattractive character, who doesn’t get a convincing arc in my opinion. I did not like her; didn’t empathise and didn’t sympathise. She’s the main reason why I’ve given the book 3.5 ⭐️ instead of 4.
What hooked me is the narrative of the book within the book. Entitled, Sound of Water, The story of Kyo and Ayako, is one I enjoyed much more than the contemporary narrative. Ayako and Kyo, grandmother-grandson, have a difficult, nuanced relationship that was very engaging. Kyo fails his medical university admission exams and is sent to live with Ayako, his paternal Grandma in Onomichi, by his workaholic and sadly aloof mother. Initially resentful of the move from Tokyo, the narrative follows Kyo’s coming of age story, as he learns to adapt, understand and finally accept the quirkiness of small-town life and his grandma. Bradley writes their characters and their bond beautifully.
I relished the slow build up of the Kyo-Ayako relationship. There are no shortcuts and trust is not easy, yet they don't give up, as they each battle their inner demons. Depression and suicidal thoughts are never far from the surface and yet they are each in their own way - survivors. Perhaps the fact that this is a strong grandmother-grandchild bond appeals to me because I shared a very similar one with my own grandma. I see her in the strong, fiercely independent Ayako, whose life has been full of challenges, loneliness and grief. I loved Kyo’s character arc as he learnt to accept his own shortcomings and stand up for his beliefs.
I must also mention that I appreciated Bradley’s effective use of two distinct voices for Flo, one when she’s living her own life and telling her own story versus her translator voice as she tells Kyo and Ayako’s story. No points for guessing which one I prefer! As Kyo and Ayako’s story progresses, their bond continues to grow & deepen. Quietly and steadily without unnecessary dramatics, they find ways to communicate. They don’t always get it right but they are always well intentioned. Ayumi, Kyo’s friend is a sweet and sensible girl, but she’s incidental, which is to say, I wouldn’t miss her if she weren’t there. Not so with Coltrane! I’m not a cat person, but the slightly superior, one-eyed feline has my ♥️
If not for the whiny, annoying Flo, this would have been a 4⭐️ read. I’m not a big fan of slow narratives but this one was engaging and touching. Recommended for those who don’t mind slow build ups, character-driven slice of life narratives that are heavy on emotions. Ignore Flo - she’s inconsequential!
This is primarily a book within a book narrative. Flo, the translator we meet, is our contemporary protagonist. She is seriously depressed having recently broken off a long-term relationship with her girlfriend Yuki and having reached a stalemate in her profession. She’s low on self-esteem and confidence and very high on self-pity and self-loathing. In short an extremely unattractive character, who doesn’t get a convincing arc in my opinion. I did not like her; didn’t empathise and didn’t sympathise. She’s the main reason why I’ve given the book 3.5 ⭐️ instead of 4.
What hooked me is the narrative of the book within the book. Entitled, Sound of Water, The story of Kyo and Ayako, is one I enjoyed much more than the contemporary narrative. Ayako and Kyo, grandmother-grandson, have a difficult, nuanced relationship that was very engaging. Kyo fails his medical university admission exams and is sent to live with Ayako, his paternal Grandma in Onomichi, by his workaholic and sadly aloof mother. Initially resentful of the move from Tokyo, the narrative follows Kyo’s coming of age story, as he learns to adapt, understand and finally accept the quirkiness of small-town life and his grandma. Bradley writes their characters and their bond beautifully.
I relished the slow build up of the Kyo-Ayako relationship. There are no shortcuts and trust is not easy, yet they don't give up, as they each battle their inner demons. Depression and suicidal thoughts are never far from the surface and yet they are each in their own way - survivors. Perhaps the fact that this is a strong grandmother-grandchild bond appeals to me because I shared a very similar one with my own grandma. I see her in the strong, fiercely independent Ayako, whose life has been full of challenges, loneliness and grief. I loved Kyo’s character arc as he learnt to accept his own shortcomings and stand up for his beliefs.
I must also mention that I appreciated Bradley’s effective use of two distinct voices for Flo, one when she’s living her own life and telling her own story versus her translator voice as she tells Kyo and Ayako’s story. No points for guessing which one I prefer! As Kyo and Ayako’s story progresses, their bond continues to grow & deepen. Quietly and steadily without unnecessary dramatics, they find ways to communicate. They don’t always get it right but they are always well intentioned. Ayumi, Kyo’s friend is a sweet and sensible girl, but she’s incidental, which is to say, I wouldn’t miss her if she weren’t there. Not so with Coltrane! I’m not a cat person, but the slightly superior, one-eyed feline has my ♥️
If not for the whiny, annoying Flo, this would have been a 4⭐️ read. I’m not a big fan of slow narratives but this one was engaging and touching. Recommended for those who don’t mind slow build ups, character-driven slice of life narratives that are heavy on emotions. Ignore Flo - she’s inconsequential!