artist_lace's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dbartlett95's review
2.0
The little things about Japan that Americans live and hate are plentiful which makes it an okay read but the story is pretty bad in many ways.
achadamaia's review
4.0
This is an unusual story with unusual characters. The story takes place in Japan. It centers around an American woman suffering from chronic disease who lives and works in Japan for the free health care and an American male who comes to Japan to find the answers surrounding his son's death.
Part way through I thought "Oh no! A typical mystery involving the mob. Boring!" But, it wasn't so! This book has so many surprises. The plot points the reader in one direction only to shatter the conclusions drawn from it.
The author takes pains to present the Japanese society in an informative, but somewhat humorous way. Often when it seems she is poking fun at the Japanese, she is really pointing out the faults of the foreigners who are quick to judge.
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story took me to unexpected places. It's unpredictable and very touching.
Part way through I thought "Oh no! A typical mystery involving the mob. Boring!" But, it wasn't so! This book has so many surprises. The plot points the reader in one direction only to shatter the conclusions drawn from it.
The author takes pains to present the Japanese society in an informative, but somewhat humorous way. Often when it seems she is poking fun at the Japanese, she is really pointing out the faults of the foreigners who are quick to judge.
In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story took me to unexpected places. It's unpredictable and very touching.
beththebookdragon's review
I don't usually read contemporary realistic fiction, but this once takes place in Japan and is described as "quirky" on the back cover, and it was a Christmas gift, so I started it.
It is indeed quirky, and has low-key and sometimes lowbrow humor, along with a fairly intriguing mystery and a lot of exposition of the weirder aspects of Japanese culture. The last is done for mostly for laughs at first but is usually relevant to the plot as well as fascinating in its own right.
Characters are colorful and likeable, except when they are not intended to be, and sometimes surprising (Rie in particular!)
An enjoyable if not exceptional read for people interested in Japanese culture or simply a quirky and involving read that's not too heavy but still has meaning and appreciation for the value of kindness in the world.
It is indeed quirky, and has low-key and sometimes lowbrow humor, along with a fairly intriguing mystery and a lot of exposition of the weirder aspects of Japanese culture. The last is done for mostly for laughs at first but is usually relevant to the plot as well as fascinating in its own right.
Characters are colorful and likeable, except when they are not intended to be, and sometimes surprising (Rie in particular!)
An enjoyable if not exceptional read for people interested in Japanese culture or simply a quirky and involving read that's not too heavy but still has meaning and appreciation for the value of kindness in the world.
cindywindy_blogs's review
3.0
This one was just okay for me. It was good enough to finish but it wasn't compelling enough for me to stay up to read one more chapter. Its hard for me to pinpoint exactly what I liked and disliked about this book.
Basic plot, Alex Thorn travels to find out what happened in the death of his son during a traffic accident the previous year. Not only does he face the obvious language barrier, but a cultural one as well. Japan's code of silence (talking about it doesn't help), hiding embarrassments, and strong belief in fate were all reasons Alex could not get any answers. Gabby Stanton, a former university teacher who was fired without warning and now works at a funeral company, helps Alex translate the language and navigate the culture.
The author tried to combine both cultural insight about what it is like for gaijin (Westerners) in Japan, and a mystery thriller involving Cody's death and yakuza (the Japanese mob). The book didn't delve deep enough for me to take it seriously as a cultural novel. Also, the mystery- how Cody died, was he with someone, why was his heart missing, why didn't Alex get the hospital bill, etc... wasn't really that mysterious or thrilling at all. Cody's death was purely accidental and the conclusion was obvious early on.
Basic plot, Alex Thorn travels to find out what happened in the death of his son during a traffic accident the previous year. Not only does he face the obvious language barrier, but a cultural one as well. Japan's code of silence (talking about it doesn't help), hiding embarrassments, and strong belief in fate were all reasons Alex could not get any answers. Gabby Stanton, a former university teacher who was fired without warning and now works at a funeral company, helps Alex translate the language and navigate the culture.
The author tried to combine both cultural insight about what it is like for gaijin (Westerners) in Japan, and a mystery thriller involving Cody's death and yakuza (the Japanese mob). The book didn't delve deep enough for me to take it seriously as a cultural novel. Also, the mystery- how Cody died, was he with someone, why was his heart missing, why didn't Alex get the hospital bill, etc... wasn't really that mysterious or thrilling at all. Cody's death was purely accidental and the conclusion was obvious early on.
yamanashipear's review
2.0
The little things about Japan that Americans live and hate are plentiful which makes it an okay read but the story is pretty bad in many ways.
glassesgirl79's review
3.0
“American Fuji” is a novel that presents Japanese life as experienced by an American woman. Gaby Stanton is a former Shizuyama University English professor who has been recently fired without cause and is now working for a “fantasy funeral” company called “Gone with the Wind.”
American psychologist and author Alex Thorn is grieving the death of his only son Cody who died in an accident a year ago. Cody was an exchange student at Shizuyama University and Alex is not satisfied with the limited information he was given regarding his son’s death.
Alex contacts Giant’s company and since Gaby speaks English, she is directed to work with Alex and make him happy. As the novel progresses, secrets are revealed, alliances are formed then broken, and Gaby and Alex get closer. By the end of the novel, Gaby and Alex both have learned much from Japanese culture as well as finding closure on situations in the lives.
American psychologist and author Alex Thorn is grieving the death of his only son Cody who died in an accident a year ago. Cody was an exchange student at Shizuyama University and Alex is not satisfied with the limited information he was given regarding his son’s death.
Alex contacts Giant’s company and since Gaby speaks English, she is directed to work with Alex and make him happy. As the novel progresses, secrets are revealed, alliances are formed then broken, and Gaby and Alex get closer. By the end of the novel, Gaby and Alex both have learned much from Japanese culture as well as finding closure on situations in the lives.
frankiwebb's review
3.0
American Fuji is a book that sang to me in a number of ways. Having lived in Japan for roughly five years, I found myself nodding along to the quirkiness of the country and the bewilderment of the main character (although this Japan is clearly set in the early nineties). But it still felt like it was missing something, while I understand the characters find their peace and get their closure, I always feel slightly disappointed when authors build something up only for it to be diverted. The 3 stars doesn't go to American's Fuji's narrative but to its character's interactions not only with each other but with Japan.
mavenbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Mostly fluffy tripe, and a murder-mystery at that.