cloudtet's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pleasant read, and a breath of fresh air after what I've been reading recently. It's light-hearted, humorous, and about a topic in which I find genuine interest. These things set the bar exceedingly low for finding enjoyment. The length is also good.
Rubin has a way of explaining things and breaking down concepts in a manner that is easy to understand, which, paired with his humour and light-heartedness, makes it hard not to enjoy exploring the knowledge he has to impart. In that sense, I suppose he is quite reminiscent of Richard Feynman.
Verdict: 8/10
Rubin has a way of explaining things and breaking down concepts in a manner that is easy to understand, which, paired with his humour and light-heartedness, makes it hard not to enjoy exploring the knowledge he has to impart. In that sense, I suppose he is quite reminiscent of Richard Feynman.
Verdict: 8/10
ninineji's review against another edition
4.0
A very very good essay. It's nicely written and quite witty. The author clarifies a certain number of points in Japanese language that often appears vague to the students. It's the kind of book that you read once in its entirety and then you come back to it when you think about the Japanese language and you want to clarify.
The last part where the author explains how he actively understand a long Japanese sentence by anticipation is very clever and interesting to follow.
After reading, I really feel like I learned things. Not necessarily about Grammar per say, but how I can approach the Japanese language.
It quite makes you want to get even better.
I only regret the use of romaji that made it difficult to me to read from time to time. But you always can use post-it and translate it in hiragana/kanji... it's actually a good exercise.
The last part where the author explains how he actively understand a long Japanese sentence by anticipation is very clever and interesting to follow.
After reading, I really feel like I learned things. Not necessarily about Grammar per say, but how I can approach the Japanese language.
It quite makes you want to get even better.
I only regret the use of romaji that made it difficult to me to read from time to time. But you always can use post-it and translate it in hiragana/kanji... it's actually a good exercise.
shenia's review against another edition
5.0
A very good collection of japanese grammar concepts that are often hard to grasp for foreigners. I found myself thrilled to finally understand the difference between wa and ga (and avoiding the subject all together) after years of thinking it was something one could only get through intuition and practice. I even quoted it to my partner (who doesn’t study japanese)! The writing was insightful, funny and interesting to read, with an appropiate difficulty for my personal japanese level (somewhere between N3 and N2, for reference).
Some people say that the explanations were too long, and that might be true if you expect to read a grammar textbook. This was more similar to going to a lecture where a professor with lots of experience speaks to you about the technical aspects, the mindset and the overall approach towards learning and enjoying a new language.
Some people say that the explanations were too long, and that might be true if you expect to read a grammar textbook. This was more similar to going to a lecture where a professor with lots of experience speaks to you about the technical aspects, the mindset and the overall approach towards learning and enjoying a new language.
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
What a treat! Almost 5 stars, if only I wasn't lost for most of it. I don't know how to speak Japanese, and am a rank beginner in terms of learning to read it, so some of the trickier bits sailed past me--but it was astonishing how much I grasped, and how enjoyable it was to read about the intricacies of this language from an opinionated, humorous, knowledgeable author.
I even ran around quoting bits of it to uninterested friends, colleagues, and family, that's how much I liked it. It reads like a series of blog posts of varying lengths on several subjects, and you're sure to find a few of them to your taste, if not all.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
I even ran around quoting bits of it to uninterested friends, colleagues, and family, that's how much I liked it. It reads like a series of blog posts of varying lengths on several subjects, and you're sure to find a few of them to your taste, if not all.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
ovidusnaso's review against another edition
4.0
Jay Rubin er et geni, og selv om jeg er lei Murakami får jeg lyst til å gå tilbake og lese oversettelsene hans, bare for å se arbeidet hans.
Himmel og hav, hvorfor er ikke denne pensum på japan-studier i Norge?
Himmel og hav, hvorfor er ikke denne pensum på japan-studier i Norge?
magneto's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
3.0
It's trying for funny and relatable but falls flat. Definitely some useful information but just as many sections that felt unnecessary or like they were incomplete. If you're struggling with a certain grammar aspect, you're probably better off going with another book than this one. The book also exclusively uses romaji except bizarrely in the finale section. Considering a lot of the grammar topics are more intermediate to advanced, not using kanji and kana is an odd choice.
albara's review against another edition
3.0
This book helped me understand why some Japanese expressions or grammatical compositions were constructed the way they are. It also helped me better understand when a non-fluent Japanese is trying speak english while thinking in Japanese (and vice versa). For me at my current stage, I find the book a bit difficult in some parts, so I believe it is perfect for people already advanced in Japanese and are into "Japanese Translating". I just wished That the author wrote the example sentences in Japanese kanji or furigana instead of Romaji!!
Mentioning the author, I just realised after finishing the book that he is a Harvard professor and a translator for several Murakami's novels. (That explains why there were lot's of examples taken from Murakami's novels).
I might get back to the book again after passing my N1 Japanese Proficiency test!
Mentioning the author, I just realised after finishing the book that he is a Harvard professor and a translator for several Murakami's novels. (That explains why there were lot's of examples taken from Murakami's novels).
I might get back to the book again after passing my N1 Japanese Proficiency test!
kasss's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this book. OH, THIS BOOK.
You see, when I read the reviews where everyone was praising this book, saying how useful and funny it was, I was slightly sceptical. Sure, I like Rubin's translations. Sure, he knows his Japanese. But I don't trust non-fiction/selfhelp/reference works to keep me interested. I always get bored reading them, I just don't have the patience. And this book is funny? Yeah, right.
Good job, Rubin, proving me wrong. I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. For one, it really is quite funny. I couldn't help smirk at some of his comments and comparisons, thinking "Yes, yes, that's exactly what it's like". Fair enough, not having grown up in the US, I didn't get all the references (who's Johnny Carson?) but I wasn't bothered by it.
Anyway. 'Funny' is all well and good, but the most important thing about this book is: damn, it's useful. If you study Japanese, and especially if you're at the point where you are starting to become confident and as Rubin himself says "progress from cognitive absorption to intuitive mastery", you have to read this book. I'd personally recommend this book for anyone level N3 and up. I think that's when you will benefit the most from it.
Rubin covers all kinds of topics related to the Japanese language, in small and slightly larger chapters. For me, they can be divided in three: 1) topics that I had no problem with, 2) topics that I never quite got but that are now clear, and 3) topics that I thought I understood but apparently got all wrong (ouch).
Rubin not only explains how certain aspects of Japanese grammar work, but also how to practically deal with them. And that precisely is what makes this book so useful.
The only complaint I have about this book (which is why technically I give it 4.5 instead of 5 stars) is that I would have liked all Japanese examples to have kanji&kana next to the romaji.
And that's it. That's my only issue. Besides that, this book was perfect. I hope Rubin will continue to work on it (it has been revised once already) and will add new topics.
You see, when I read the reviews where everyone was praising this book, saying how useful and funny it was, I was slightly sceptical. Sure, I like Rubin's translations. Sure, he knows his Japanese. But I don't trust non-fiction/selfhelp/reference works to keep me interested. I always get bored reading them, I just don't have the patience. And this book is funny? Yeah, right.
Good job, Rubin, proving me wrong. I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. For one, it really is quite funny. I couldn't help smirk at some of his comments and comparisons, thinking "Yes, yes, that's exactly what it's like". Fair enough, not having grown up in the US, I didn't get all the references (who's Johnny Carson?) but I wasn't bothered by it.
Anyway. 'Funny' is all well and good, but the most important thing about this book is: damn, it's useful. If you study Japanese, and especially if you're at the point where you are starting to become confident and as Rubin himself says "progress from cognitive absorption to intuitive mastery", you have to read this book. I'd personally recommend this book for anyone level N3 and up. I think that's when you will benefit the most from it.
Rubin covers all kinds of topics related to the Japanese language, in small and slightly larger chapters. For me, they can be divided in three: 1) topics that I had no problem with, 2) topics that I never quite got but that are now clear, and 3) topics that I thought I understood but apparently got all wrong (ouch).
Rubin not only explains how certain aspects of Japanese grammar work, but also how to practically deal with them. And that precisely is what makes this book so useful.
The only complaint I have about this book (which is why technically I give it 4.5 instead of 5 stars) is that I would have liked all Japanese examples to have kanji&kana next to the romaji.
And that's it. That's my only issue. Besides that, this book was perfect. I hope Rubin will continue to work on it (it has been revised once already) and will add new topics.
msjenne's review against another edition
4.0
So helpful and also fun to read! I totally cracked up at one of the footnotes to the point of drawing stares in the staff lunch room.
I also discovered that I've been kind of using "morau" incorrectly. GOOD TO KNOW.
I also discovered that I've been kind of using "morau" incorrectly. GOOD TO KNOW.