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Review
"'The mysteries of Japan and father-son relationships prove to be rich subjects, especially for a writer at the peak of his powers, and they make for an entertaining and uplifting book.' Sunday Times 'Fast-paced, readable and highly entertaining.' Sunday Express"
Product Description
In 2002, twice Booker-winning author Peter Carey travelled to Japan, accompanied by his twelve-year old son Charley, on a special kind of pilgrimage. In a stunning memoir-cum-travelogue Peter Carey charts this journey, inspired by Charley's passion for Japanese Manga and anime, and explores his own resulting re-evaluation of Japan. Although graphically violent and disturbing, the two mediums are both inherently concerned with Japan's rich history and heritage, and hold a huge popular appeal that crosses the generations. Led by their adolescent guide Takashi, an uncanny mix of generosity and derision, father and son look for the hidden puzzles and meanings, searching, often with comic results, for a greater understanding of these art forms, and for what they come to refer to as their own 'real Japan'. From Manhattan to Tokyo, Commodore Perry to Godzilla, kabuki theatre to the post-war robot craze, "Wrong about Japan" is a personal, witty and moving exploration of two very different cultures.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There are precious few indispensable books by Westerners about Japan. The best of these are by people who have lived there for a worthwhile period. This list is headed by the wonderful, and deeply missed Alan Booth; but Will Ferguson's Hokkaido Highway Blues is a more recent essential book, full of humour and insights. Carey's book sadly does not join the ranks. In fact, it tells us far more about a kind of lassitude and corruption in the publishing world than it does about Japan. Carey, famous novelist whose every word must be worth its weight in gold (at least to a craven publisher) spends a week (yes, a week) in Tokyo (yes, just Tokyo), armed with a novice's interest in Manga, and a rather indolent, and one suspects, spoiled son in tow. Although he has a number of inane theories which his Japanese hosts are far too polite to rubbish, he delivers no insights. Along the way, he manages to treat appallingly badly a Japanese youth who had struck up a friendship with his son over the Internet; but it's all right because the Careys leave a gift with his grandmother. The book takes about four hours to read, which is perhaps its one saving grace. But I recommend that you spend your money on The Roads to Sata or Looking for the Lost. The Careys got their free trip to Tokyo, and their meetings with the key players in Anime and Manga: don't give him any more money. Mr Carey: I would suggest that you learn at least two words of Japanese, and that to young Takashi, you utter a deeply felt 'Gomen Nasai'.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While this book is a mildly enjoyable light read, you may find yourself thinking that you would never wish to be stuck in a foreign country with Mr. Carey. From the outset he presents his opinions on Japan (although this book really never covers anything other than a few superficial Japanese elements) as being some kind of astute observation, never acknowledging that he is completely ignorant of the culture in which his experiences take place. The way Mr. Carey writes reeks of arrogance that I found quite offputting.
Don't buy this book, but if you see it in the library it is worth a flick through.
Don't buy this book, but if you see it in the library it is worth a flick through.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I liked this book. It describes the bitter sweet process of learning about another culture as a tourist; as an outsider. And Japan seems superbly strange to Westerners.
The author and his son seek to avoid the real Japan, and even though they only do this by focusing on Japan's modern culture, this book does find something beyond the pat. Prompted by the son's Manga/Anime infatuation they meet some of the main players in the Manga industry. Yet even when they meet a master forger of Samurai swords, the old guard is more modern than expected. The real Japan is seen through the prism of the found object, or within the surprisingly familiar gesture (that you might have seen in a town anywhere).
In conclusion: an excellent short read that goes well with longer tomes such as The Image Factory: Fads and Fashions in Japan or The Missionary and the Libertine: Love and War in East and West.
The author and his son seek to avoid the real Japan, and even though they only do this by focusing on Japan's modern culture, this book does find something beyond the pat. Prompted by the son's Manga/Anime infatuation they meet some of the main players in the Manga industry. Yet even when they meet a master forger of Samurai swords, the old guard is more modern than expected. The real Japan is seen through the prism of the found object, or within the surprisingly familiar gesture (that you might have seen in a town anywhere).
In conclusion: an excellent short read that goes well with longer tomes such as The Image Factory: Fads and Fashions in Japan or The Missionary and the Libertine: Love and War in East and West.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the really intelligent part can be found in the book's title ..
It s very hard to slam this book because Peter Carey writes very well and intelligently... but Western writers who turn up in Japan for a couple of weeks and feel the need to write... Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2009 by stevieby
Not about Japan but about someone's interaction with Japan
There is some fairly vitriolic stuff written about this book. I am not sure it deserves that. It is well-written in terms of its language (you'd sort of expect that from the... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by Gaius Baltar
Just plain wrong
Lightweight nonsense.
Wrong about everything all the way through.
This is like "Lost in translation" in book form.
You'll get no insight into Japan from this. Read more
Wrong about everything all the way through.
This is like "Lost in translation" in book form.
You'll get no insight into Japan from this. Read more
Published on 30 May 2007 by Griff
short, sweet and not too deep
I read the other reviews and found them rather harsh. Yes, it is a fast read, no it doesn't go into massive depth but it isn't glib and Carey wears his ignorance on his sleeve, as... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2007 by M
"Enter[ing] the mansion of Japanese culture through its garish,...
When Charley, the twelve-year-old son of Booker Prize-winning author Peter Carey, announces that someday he wants to live in Japan, Carey decides the time is right for a father-son... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2006 by Mary Whipple
Wrong About Japan Review
To really appreciate this book you have to enjoy the classic anime and manga. The story is of the author, Peter Carrey and his son Charley going on a trip to Japan. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2005 by Jennifer
Hmmm
I'm not sure what to think of this book. I read an article about Carey's trip by Carey in the Guardian and was so horrified about what he was saying I refused to read the actual... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2005
Wrong about this book
This book may not provide quite the insight people might be looking for into Japan, but it is still definitely worth reading. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2005 by Jane Parker
What I did on my Holidays
Very disappointing and shallow, never rises above a 'What I did on my Holidays' school style essay. Lacks humour and any sort of insight into Japanese culture.
Published on 7 Jan 2005 by MJ
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