Four Seasons In Japan By Nick Bradley Review (Random Things Tours)

Today dear reader I am on the blog tour for Four Seasons In Japan (Published 13th June 2024) By Nick Bradley. A big thank you to the publishers Penguin for sending me a copy to read and review, always appreciated. Also to the wonderful Anne for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, always a pleasure to work with.

Four Seasons In Japan

A despondent American translator living in Tokyo finds a lost book on the subway and embarks on a year-long journey translating it into English… 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.

About 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.

My Review

Flo is living in Tokyo as a translator and feels lost, her friends notice she doesn’t seem herself. Flo keeps her personal life private and hasn’t even mentioned her girlfriend, Yuki to her friends. However Yuki is planning on moving to New York to work in a bookshop which leaves Flo torn. Unsure of where her life is taking her as she has even started to lose interest in reading and is starting to find Tokyo boring.

Flo wonders what happens after you have achieved your dream. Where do you go from there? As she ponders this on the train one day a book left on an unoccupied seat takes her interest. Before anyone can see she puts the unclaimed book, Sound of Water By Hibiki in her bag. As soon as she begins reading, Flo is determined to translate the lost novel.

Flo is drawn into the world of Ayako, a strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in the small town of Onomichi. Avako has suffered a great loss in her life, losing her husband and son. She now finds herself looking after Kyo, her nineteen year old grandson who feels like a failure because he didn’t get into university. These two unlikely characters need each other more than they care to admit. The fear of being vulnerable and opening up to share their pain is too great but it might just be the thing that saves them. Inspired by the book, Flo goes on an adventure to find the author, venturing outside her comfort zone and taking charge.

The mixture of characters that Bradley has created is a joy to read. From Flo, Kyo to Ayako brings a strong sense of youth and wisdom. The naivety of youth and the experience of age. They bring these characters closer together, forming a bond of trust and love.

I was swept away to the tranquil landscape of Japan on every page. Bradley has a remarkable use of imagery and creates an absorbing atmosphere that you don’t want to leave. I could see the peaks of mount fuiji, smell the ramen and taste the thick sticky rice balls. It was a delight to read as I felt relaxed and calm as I wandered along the cherry blossomed streets of Japan.

I give Four Seasons In Japan By Nick Bradley a Five out of Five paw rating

An enchanting read that will whisk you away to the beautiful cherry blossom land of Japan. An absolute delight to read, I loved every second! Highly recommended!

Don’t forget to follow the rest of the blog tour, dates below, enjoy

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