Info
Written By: Nick Bradley.
Published By: Penguin.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a physical copy of the book for the purpose of this review, also thanks to Random Things Blog Tour for adding me to the tour.
Overview
Flo is sick of Tokyo. She is stuck in a rut, her translation work has dried up, and she's in a relationship
that's run its course. That's until she stumbles upon a mysterious book left by a drunken passenger on
the Tokyo Subway. From the very first page, Flo is transformed and immediately feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel, a decision which sets her on a path that will change her life...
It is a story about Ayako, a fierce and strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in the small town of Onomichi, where she has just taken guardianship of her grandson, Kyo. Haunted by long-buried family tragedy, both have suffered extreme loss and feel unable to open up to each other.
As Flo follows the characters across a year in rural Japan, through the ups and downs of the pair's burgeoning relationship, she quickly realises that she needs to venture outside the pages of the book to track down its elusive author. And, as her two protagonists reveal themselves to have more in common with her life than first meets the eye, the lines between text and translator converge. The journey is just beginning.
Overview taken from the official book press release.
Review
I've always been a big fan of Japanese tales and enjoy most of the literature that comes from there (that I can understand) it's a place that I have always wanted to go and hopefully one day I can get there, everything appeals from the food to the tech and beyond. But what I've noticed is that there is a distinct chilled vibe around and that resonates with this book, a life affirming travel through life in Japan.
The book follows Flo stuck in a rut working as a translator stumbles across a book that a drunken subway passenger leaves behind, the mysterious contents of the book has an almost magnetic pull as Flo feels like she has to translate this ancient piece of writing to unlock the secrets inside.
Due to the break up of a relationship Flo is living in a funk as she is pushed back into a state of depression that puts Flo in a constant downer but after a rare night out finding this mysterious book on her journey home Flo has a purpose and the need to translate this ancient writing kind of regenerates her life. The story of Kyo and Ayako is a magical journey through the seasons that kind of mirrors what Flo is experiencing in her life so the translated story begins to bleed into real life
Nick Bradley has a unique style of writing that puts the reader at ease but at the same time captivates the reader and takes them on a magical reading experience that will open your mind into a whole new world.
The story is one of hope and self-drive that will captivate the reader and take them on an almost spiritual journey through the seasons in Japan.
Summary
Now time for me to put my thoughts into a summary, overall I enjoyed the book it almost gave me a relaxing feeling as I read through the pages, Flo's journey is relatable and inspirational as the translation unfolds and you begin to explore this ancient world. This was an introduction for me to the work of Nick Bradley and I liked his writing style as he crafts a story that is captivating but relaxing at the same time, a well written book that you will struggle to put down.
Verdict-Out of 5 ⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
GOOD
I give Four Seasons in Japan a good score of 4 ⭐ a well written book that is engaging and inspiring. The story of Flo readers will find relatable and inspirational in this almost magical read through Japanese life. A definite recommendation from me.
Four Seasons in Japan is available now in all good book shops.
Note on the author:
Nick Bradley holds a PhD from UEA focussing on the figure of the cat in Japanese literature. He lived in Japan for a decade, but currently teaches on the Creative Writing master's programme at the University of Cambridge. His debut novel, The Cat and The City, was published in 2020 to widespread critical acclaim.
This review was part of the Random Things Blog Tour please check out the other bloggers on the tour.
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