mimosaeyes's review
5.0
This novel really spoke to me, for a variety of reasons.
When I was young, we had a maid who would help with the housework and look after me and my sister. She was from the Philippines, so she was foreign like Diana is in this novel. And like Diana, Juliana (that was her name) became more like a mother to me than my mother herself. My mother worked a full-time job and a part-time one on the side, so she was rarely around, though she wanted to be. But it was Juliana who knew what foods I liked, who woke me up in the mornings and brushed my hair, who sometimes protected me when my mother was angry at me for one reason or another. Perhaps that's why Diana's perspective, as someone simultaneously inside and outside a family's domestic situation, really appealed to me.
At the same time, as a grown woman (ha) now, I relate to Diana's need for a feeling of safety, as well as her fears: of intimacy (both emotional and physical), of men. I felt close to Diana when she recounted her early brushes with sexuality including. More generally of this novel's portrayal of female sexuality, I really appreciated the openness and acceptance Diana displays with regard to these issues. Coming from a conservative society, it was nice to read her logical, intelligent engagement with topics that are often taboo in my milieu, or conversely represented without an acknowledgement of their thorny, incendiary nature in more liberal contexts.
But above all: this is a novel with so much love in it. Different kinds of love, love with the tricky parts left in, love that makes compromises and sacrifices. I feel obscurely healed, having read it.
When I was young, we had a maid who would help with the housework and look after me and my sister. She was from the Philippines, so she was foreign like Diana is in this novel. And like Diana, Juliana (that was her name) became more like a mother to me than my mother herself. My mother worked a full-time job and a part-time one on the side, so she was rarely around, though she wanted to be. But it was Juliana who knew what foods I liked, who woke me up in the mornings and brushed my hair, who sometimes protected me when my mother was angry at me for one reason or another. Perhaps that's why Diana's perspective, as someone simultaneously inside and outside a family's domestic situation, really appealed to me.
At the same time, as a grown woman (ha) now, I relate to Diana's need for a feeling of safety, as well as her fears: of intimacy (both emotional and physical), of men. I felt close to Diana when she recounted her early brushes with sexuality including
Spoiler
the man she describes masturbating in public, and being molested on the trainBut above all: this is a novel with so much love in it. Different kinds of love, love with the tricky parts left in, love that makes compromises and sacrifices. I feel obscurely healed, having read it.
norma_cenva's review
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 Stars
Beautifully written story. Good prose with well-developed and well-realized characters.
Beautifully written story. Good prose with well-developed and well-realized characters.
jarulf's review
4.0
This was not quite the sweet, fun story about a young American woman experiencing Japan for the first time. Well, it was but not just that. There's a darker part to the story as well, one that develops slowly and believably.
The main character, who tells the story, was likeable but her motivations for going to Japan in the first place felt a little unconvincing perhaps, but not nearly enough to detract from the book.
The issues raised (the darker part of the plot) are important, presented in a few key moments that set the tone for the rest of the book.
The main character, who tells the story, was likeable but her motivations for going to Japan in the first place felt a little unconvincing perhaps, but not nearly enough to detract from the book.
The issues raised (the darker part of the plot) are important, presented in a few key moments that set the tone for the rest of the book.
bookseshjess's review
4.0
It’s rare that I read books that I have never heard of before picking them up but I’m so glad I did with this one.
jackielaw's review
5.0
Having enjoyed Alison Jean Lester’s debut, Lillian on Life, I was eager to see where the author would take her readers in this, her second novel. Lillian was a woman of a certain age looking back over decades lived. This latest work is again told as a recollection, this time of a much younger woman looking back to a pivotal few months when she was in her early twenties. From the first sentence of Yuki Means Happiness the reader is aware that the adventure will not end well.
The story opens in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. Diana, a trained nurse, is meeting Naoki Yoshimura, the father of two year Yuki. Naoki had employed Diana as a maternity nurse when his wife, Emi, travelled to Boston to give birth. Now he informs her that Emi has left him. He offers Diana a generous salary to work in Tokyo as Yuki’s nanny. Diana is in a relationship but unsure of the commitment she is willing to offer. She regards this job as a chance for adventure and also escape. Key events in her life to date have made her wary of men and their intentions. Her boyfriend is ignorant of this personal history and declares his willingness to wait.
Diana travels to Tokyo unable to speak any Japanese. Naoki’s home is next door to that of his wealthy parents – it was built in their garden. Naoki’s mother is polite but distant. She helps with Yuki when requested and keeps a watchful eye on her son’s interests.
The sense of place evoked as Diana settles into her new role is beautifully rendered. As a young and inexperienced woman Diana finds herself irritated but compliant with the demands made on her time by her employer. She grows to adore Yuki and relishes the insights she is gaining into the culture and expectations of the Japanese.
Life within the Yoshimura household begins to shift when Naoki brings home a new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Diana has started meeting up with Naoki’s ex-wife, discovering that their marital breakup was not everything Diana had been led to believe. When she is accused of leaving Yuki in the care of a man, Naoki displays an anger that frightens the young nanny. His subsequent actions suggest Yuki could also be in danger.
The unfolding tale is nuanced and layered, presented with a subtlety that belies its depth. The emotional threads of the novel may be complex, but the writing remains accessible and engaging. Japan is portrayed with warmth and honesty, while its customs, however alluring, are shown to provide a means to exert dominance.
The understated intricacy of the story development is impressive, and the setting, plot and structure are deftly painted. There is much to reflect on after turning the final page.
The story opens in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996. Diana, a trained nurse, is meeting Naoki Yoshimura, the father of two year Yuki. Naoki had employed Diana as a maternity nurse when his wife, Emi, travelled to Boston to give birth. Now he informs her that Emi has left him. He offers Diana a generous salary to work in Tokyo as Yuki’s nanny. Diana is in a relationship but unsure of the commitment she is willing to offer. She regards this job as a chance for adventure and also escape. Key events in her life to date have made her wary of men and their intentions. Her boyfriend is ignorant of this personal history and declares his willingness to wait.
Diana travels to Tokyo unable to speak any Japanese. Naoki’s home is next door to that of his wealthy parents – it was built in their garden. Naoki’s mother is polite but distant. She helps with Yuki when requested and keeps a watchful eye on her son’s interests.
The sense of place evoked as Diana settles into her new role is beautifully rendered. As a young and inexperienced woman Diana finds herself irritated but compliant with the demands made on her time by her employer. She grows to adore Yuki and relishes the insights she is gaining into the culture and expectations of the Japanese.
Life within the Yoshimura household begins to shift when Naoki brings home a new girlfriend. Meanwhile, Diana has started meeting up with Naoki’s ex-wife, discovering that their marital breakup was not everything Diana had been led to believe. When she is accused of leaving Yuki in the care of a man, Naoki displays an anger that frightens the young nanny. His subsequent actions suggest Yuki could also be in danger.
The unfolding tale is nuanced and layered, presented with a subtlety that belies its depth. The emotional threads of the novel may be complex, but the writing remains accessible and engaging. Japan is portrayed with warmth and honesty, while its customs, however alluring, are shown to provide a means to exert dominance.
The understated intricacy of the story development is impressive, and the setting, plot and structure are deftly painted. There is much to reflect on after turning the final page.
rosie_walters's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
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