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ndschmidt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lavendermarch's review against another edition
3.0
This was an entertaining enough read about the author's life in Japan over the course of the last decade. I'd never heard of him before reading this book, but I might check out some of his videos now. YouTube aside, as a book, this was decent but nothing groundbreaking.
It contained some information that you only really learn from living in another country and experiencing life there firsthand, which was definitely interesting to read about. It was also quite funny. However, the chapters occasionally repeated information and there were multiple small grammar errors that were mildly irritating (ex: some the instead of some of the or changing the transliteration of a Japanese word or place name within a sentence, such as Chokai vs. Choukai). It also felt slightly tonally off in places, perhaps because while some sections of chapters felt cohesive, others felt more tacked on or less genuine.
With that being said, I would recommend this as a light library read, but not necessarily as something to buy. 3.5 stars.
It contained some information that you only really learn from living in another country and experiencing life there firsthand, which was definitely interesting to read about. It was also quite funny. However, the chapters occasionally repeated information and there were multiple small grammar errors that were mildly irritating (ex: some the instead of some of the or changing the transliteration of a Japanese word or place name within a sentence, such as Chokai vs. Choukai). It also felt slightly tonally off in places, perhaps because while some sections of chapters felt cohesive, others felt more tacked on or less genuine.
With that being said, I would recommend this as a light library read, but not necessarily as something to buy. 3.5 stars.
hitch_'s review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Very funny, informative and a light read. Would recommend, hats off to Chris!
eleanormaddy's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Told in format of enjoyable anecdotes. Each story, a good length, gives a little insight into different parts of Japanese culture. Good pace, enough detail to keep it interesting but doesn’t bore you with the minutia.
Chris is funny and likeable. Good mix of humour around funny anecdotes but didn’t shy away from importance and seriousness when highlighting key historical events in recent Japanese history.
Key words in Japanese explained to help understand.
Recognition that he is British telling this story about Japan, doesn’t feel like he’s appropriating the culture rather than truely wanted to immerse himself and appreciate it.
Epilogue felt very valuable, succinctly brought the whole book together and was a heart warming and inspiring end to the book.
Chris is funny and likeable. Good mix of humour around funny anecdotes but didn’t shy away from importance and seriousness when highlighting key historical events in recent Japanese history.
Key words in Japanese explained to help understand.
Recognition that he is British telling this story about Japan, doesn’t feel like he’s appropriating the culture rather than truely wanted to immerse himself and appreciate it.
Epilogue felt very valuable, succinctly brought the whole book together and was a heart warming and inspiring end to the book.