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Book Description
Product Description
Keiko Harada was wearing Mickey Mouse socks again. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Matthew Kneale certainly conveys Daniel's sense of alienation in a country where the language is the first stumbling block but is almost nothing compared to the cultural differences which make it impossible to second guess anybody's reaction to anything. The novel draws a lot of its dark humour from our sympathy with Daniel as he struggles to make sense of events around him and becomes increasingly embroiled in his relationship with Keiko and her family.
My only criticism of this novel would be that whilst the reader feels sorry for Daniel as he's in a tricky situation, on turning the last page you feel you know the characters no better than you did on opening the book. Details of dress and language are well observed but the motivation of the characters remains a mystery to us. This extends to Daniel himself.
Having said that it's a good read that will keep you turning the pages wondering what bizarre thing will happen next.
It's a quick read, and it soon becomes obvious why. The characters are slight and in some cases far too unfocused to have any sense of credibility. The story is limp and makes ungainly leaps in search of solid footing - which it never actually finds. There are also the usual Japanese stereotypes, and whilst some of the realities and landscapes of Japan are reasonably accurately portrayed, such as some of the observations about language school students, the fact is that so much is left out of the equation as to render the whole thing near impotent in terms of sparking the reader's imagination about Japan and its very particular culture. Other aspects are simply untrue and misleading; the scene on the train amidst and earth tremor is wildly inaccurate of Japanese responses to such things.
Overall, I would recommend avoiding this book. Instead, read English Passengers again. It's a much better spend of anyone's time.
Even the central character - Daniel Thayne, an Englishman who has almost accidentally found himself teaching English in Japan and conducting an affair with one of his pupils - is not given any depth. So far as we can tell, he's a shallow and unlikeable character but the book tries - unsuccessfully, in my opinion - to make us sympathize with him. If he's so devoted to photography, why does he not take any pictures during the course of the book? If he can face up to his boss so resolutely, why does he submit so easily to Jake and to his prospective father-in-law? If he's so quick-thinking that he can conceive a plan for blackmail so abruptly and can effect the absurd John-Grishamesque escape from his fiancée's family, how did he manage to get into his situation in the first place?
Matthew Kneale has undoubtedly matured into a very fine novelist. There's no need to read this début novel to complete the set: start with "Sweet Thames" and then settle down to the supreme enjoyment of "English Passengers".
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