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laurasullivan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
2.0
This was alright. There was plenty of interesting stuff, but I got the feeling that Iyer was exaggerating and oversimplifying in the name of poetic license.
hatrireads's review against another edition
3.0
A wonderful book of short pieces - observations really - about Japan and its people. Mainly about the people of Japan, this lovely book describes this unique culture better than anything I’ve read. Pico Iyer married a Japanese woman and is a great travel writer. Read this in preparation and during our trip to Japan. Everything he wrote is so true.
ashimgarg's review against another edition
2.0
This book ain't for me. Too vague, no story. I wish I read it a bit before buying.
daniellersalaz's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book over the course of two days. It is written mostly in sort of a flowing list form where each entry is one short paragraph long, so it’s very easy to drop into for a few minutes at a time.
I like Iyer’s writing, particularly on his adopted home of Japan, because of his occasional concise and masterful turns of phrase. This book has a few such standouts that give the reader a new perspective to consider and thus make the book worthwhile. One such line is “...lack of transparency can be less the enemy of trust than its perfect safeguard.” That’s something I’d like to ponder.
Having lived in Japan for one year when I was in grad school, I don’t have near the depth of experience Iyer has there, but much of what he describes is familiar to me. I think anyone with an interest in Japan will find snippets to appreciate in the book.
I like Iyer’s writing, particularly on his adopted home of Japan, because of his occasional concise and masterful turns of phrase. This book has a few such standouts that give the reader a new perspective to consider and thus make the book worthwhile. One such line is “...lack of transparency can be less the enemy of trust than its perfect safeguard.” That’s something I’d like to ponder.
Having lived in Japan for one year when I was in grad school, I don’t have near the depth of experience Iyer has there, but much of what he describes is familiar to me. I think anyone with an interest in Japan will find snippets to appreciate in the book.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
Good set of notes by my favorite author from his time living in Japan as a foreigner. Good book to acquaint oneself with the contradictions and complexities of the Japanese ways.