Strange Weather in Tokyo: A Novel

What I was able to read is very pleasant, but the copy I received is missing pages 123 through154 and apparently the author's afterward, so am not really sure yet how good it actually is. Other reviewers have mentioned the same problem, so the situation may not have been fixed yet. Will someone read this and contact me about getting the whole book?

So grateful Sean O'Connor recommended this enthusiastically on the Poetry Pea Podcast and host Patricia McGuire also praised it glowingly. Astonishingly poetic, finding extremely evocative and profound feelings and meanings in the most unexpected everyday contexts. The characters, narration, dialogue, descriptions of settings, food and drink are downright marvelous. If you'd like a firsthand glimpse through the Japanese experience, culture, history and aesthetic, sensibility and distinctive romanticism, this is your ticket. The plucky, endearing protagonists are some of the most memorable and iconic leads I've encountered. The bittersweet tone is reminiscent of French New Wave or Italian neorealism, American art house. If they make a film adaptation of this it could sweep the Cannes festival. So sad to be done, would happily read anything by this author, hope it all becomes available in English. Also a must read for appreciators of haiku and tanka, gourmands and barflies, shy lovers, and those who enjoy birdwatching, plant growing, mushroom picking. Top shelf literature.

Kawasaki paints vivid pictures with her words. You are right there in Tokyo as you read, watching this strange weather with Tsukiko and Sensei 💙

I love this author but this one was kinda weird. Definitely a good read but don’t think too much about their relationship or you’ll start to feel uncomfy. Like yeah there’s a 30 year age difference (already kinda concerning) but they met when she was his student ??? It truly is a good book but just be warned of that part.

This book was so compelling!! The story was very unusual, involving a 30-something woman and an older retired high school teacher. It’s not predictable and not expected. But it is interesting and relatable.

The book came in great condition and on time, to which I am extremely grateful for, especially in times like these.Tsukiko’s and Sensei’s casual drinks transformed into scenes of heart-wrenching moments and the inability to be able to put the book down. A “page-turner” would be an understatement for this book. Kawakami’s writing style was so precise, but easy to read to where it felt like I was watching these scenes play out on a television rather than reading a book. The story was without a doubt interesting and well-written, but the plot was pretty predictable. I really enjoyed how there was quite a bit of character development. In my opinion, lack of character development will always ruin a story, no matter how incredible the plot is. You could almost feel Tsukiko changing and growing into a more sensitive, down-to-earth person. Kawakami also knows how to write plot twists. There were scenes that made my heart skip a beat, and the last thing I wanted to do is put this book down. This book also hit that cultural weak spot in me where they discussed modern Japanese culture vs. more old-fashioned Japanese culture, since Tsukiko and Sensei were 30 years apart, but he was considered more traditional than an average person his age. The only complaint I have is at the end of the book. To me, the ending felt rushed. You can tell Kawakami did not try as hard at the ending like the rest of the book. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy an out-of-the-norm romance story, people who enjoy Japanese culture or learning about new cultures, and someone who is a sucker for plot twists.

The basic premise is a middle age woman starts hanging out with her old teacher because they run into each other at a bar. They have a very simple relationship, they drink together, they eat together and they walk around the neighborhood and talk. Near the end she starts to realize she has feelings of love for him and they start dating. Their relationship isn't really based on physical things like sex or attraction but more based on their enjoyment of just being there for each other. The ending was predictable but still good. I enjoyed the read and think it was a very good story. It moves pretty slow in pace but I didn't mind it.

I was deep into reading the book when I noticed that 30 some pages were entirely skipped during the production of the book. In that moment I was so annoyed, I had to stop my reading. Pages 123-154 were missing. I was sent a replacement and rather quickly.

In hindsight it seems like a meandering tale that beautifully takes its own time, but while reading it, I was pulled along and I couldn’t put it down; I finished it in one sitting. It draws you in and, in the way of the best books, makes you understand something you find counter-intuitive. All the characters seem real, have little idiosyncrasies that make them come alive, and Kawakami manages this with ease where so many other author strive for it, but their characters come across as contrived, like caricatures.I’d recommend this if you’re a fan of Japanese literature, but equally I think it would make the perfect introduction; it has some of the oddness you often find in Japanese stories, but it’s done with a light touch so the reader never flounders or feels as though they are missing anything for lack of cultural knowledge.A solid 5/5 for me and I am looking forward to reading the other works of Hiromi Kawakami.

... by this I mean that it is beautifully, delicately written. The plot doesn't seem particularly exciting when considered in isolation, but it was full of ups and downs, strange little details and then moments of beautiful description. Alongside mundane everyday details, there is an appreciation for things we don't notice or maybe care about in the western world. It has a section that is a bit random and 'trippy' which many Japanese novels have! A great story.I've also read the Nakano Thrift Shop, and that was the same. This author captures feelings of isolation and loneliness and describes them beautifully. I've found both of these novels emotional and moving. If you enjoy modern Japanese fiction, this author is for you.

Perhaps I didn't "get it". I have to admit, I probably wasn't the target market. I would summarise this book as mundane commentary of a relationship between two people, from different generations.There is also non-ending explained by the author in the afterword as "a story never fully known, not even by the author" which felt to me like a fancy way of saying the author wasn't able to come up with a fitting end to the story.The slow pacing of the mundane lives of the characters made it quite a chore, even at only 200 pages. I can't say I understand what the hype is other than the obscure title and edgy cover art. I have a vague interest in Japanese culture which was nice to see represent in this book. This book is like people watching via a novel. You observe the main characters primarily eating and drinking with a vague hint to romance. For 99p and a short read, sure, but for me the time would be better spent elsewhere in a different book.

This book is a great introduction to Japanese literature, which has a certain edge to it. the story is moving, funny amd framed as an old-fashioned romance, whilst also having something more modern about it.Tsukiko in her late thirties, essentially falls in love with her old high school teacher who is at least 30 years her senior. Yes it's a touch creepy, but it makes some interesting points about love transcending age. At times it is a little awkward and will make you cringe, which is testament to the skill of the writing.Overall this is an excellent read; you will find that you read through this very quickly. 9.5/10 from me.

I’m enjoying this easy read about a young Japanese women who later meets up with her past professor. They don’t make dates, they just frequently meet up in the same pubs around their town inTokyo, where they both like to eat and drink. There is a certain chemistry of sorts between them. I’m 75% through this book and I still don’t know what’s going to happen.