Journal Entry 1 by zugenia from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Friday, October 03, 2003

I don't know how I came to have this book, but it's unlikely I'll ever read it. Planning to release to someone more interested... 

Journal Entry 2 by zugenia at Post Office, Thayer St. in Providence, Rhode Island USA on Tuesday, October 07, 2003

Released on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 at Thayer Street post office in Providence, Rhode Island USA.

This book is on its way south to Virginia... 

Journal Entry 3 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 09, 2003

I just received this in the mail - thanks! I will read and then pass on to havfaith. 

Journal Entry 4 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Sunday, November 09, 2003

Journal Entry 5 by Kernow8 from Southampton, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 10, 2003

This book was fascinating - I love reading about different cultures anyway, but this one was even more interesting than usual because the author was comparing the two cultures she had been part of. I'm English but have been living in the US for almost two years now - and even though my two cultures are quite similar, I still notice things that surprise me about the way things are done in the US. I'm sure when I go back to England I will feel like a bit of a foreigner there to start with too!

I think this book can be enjoyed by anyone, but especially by those who have spent time in or moved to a culture different from the one they grew up in.

I will be mailing to havfaith today - enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 6 by havfaith from Mead, Washington USA on Wednesday, November 19, 2003

I have a couple other books to finish and pass on so I gave this to my friend to read first. When I get it back, I'll read it and send it on to daidy in Michigan...

I've always lived in the States but grew up in the Midwest and now live in Alaska where the culture is heavily influenced by Native traditions and history. I've always been interested in other cultures and will definitely relate to the Midwest side of this book! Can't wait to read it! =)

UPDATE: (12/27) Just wanted to let anyone wondering know where the book is... My friend still has it. I had already promised her this book before Kernow8 decided to make it a bookray so I don't want to bug her too much. I know she's at least half way through but with the holidays and houseguests it'll be after the first before I get it back to read and pass along. =) 

Journal Entry 7 by havfaith from Mead, Washington USA on Monday, January 12, 2004

It's always interesting reading about the differences in cultures. I enjoyed this book because of the focus on the differences in how women are treated and what is expected of them in the Japanese culture as opposed to the American culture. I can see where a lot of her behaviors come from but I do think Kyoko needs to lighten up about the laundry though! =) 

Journal Entry 8 by havfaith at Sent to Fellow BookCrosser in Book Ray!, Alaska -- Controlled Releases on Monday, January 12, 2004

Release planned for Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at Sent to Fellow BookCrosser in Book Ray!, Alaska Controlled Releases.

On its way to Michigan to daidy! =) 

Journal Entry 9 by daidy from Kansas City, Missouri USA on Saturday, January 17, 2004

Recieved today (or maybe yesterday, it looks like no one checked the mail for a few days around here) 

Journal Entry 10 by daidy from Kansas City, Missouri USA on Tuesday, January 20, 2004

I definitely agree that she needs to lighten up about the laundry. :) That whole business emphasizes what was wrong with the marriage. In many ways, it seems like she got some of the worse parts of both cultures.

I am waiting on illinicheme's address to send this on.

Mailing 1/22 

Journal Entry 11 by illinicheme from Novato, California USA on Saturday, January 31, 2004

Arrived today. Will journal again when I've finished it. Thanks! 

Journal Entry 12 by illinicheme from Novato, California USA on Friday, February 06, 2004

First off - an apology to all future readers - I got caught in a torrential horizontal-pour the other day (very Midwestern type of thing not often seen here in California), and despite my umbrella, my backpack got drenched. I'm very sorry about the wrinkled corners on the book.

As for the book, I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see the American midwest through the eyes of an immigrant, because I grew up about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, and lived for a few months near Green Bay when I was an intern in college. Most of Mori's observations are right on, though I swear my family's Jello concotions are actually tasty. (Carrots and celery in Jello? Never seen it. Must be the Wisconsin natives)

The book has a strong, simple style. The few drawbacks were that Mori tended to repeat herself at times, and a few of her comparisons felt forced (I got a "high school essay" vibe from several parts). But overall it is a very successful book and one that will teach you a few things.

Thank you Kernow8 for organizing this ray. I'll be passing it on to MandMsMom today. 

Journal Entry 13 by MandMsMom from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Saturday, February 21, 2004

I am really looking forward to this one. I have a few ahead but will get to it as quickly as possible! 

Journal Entry 14 by MandMsMom from Stamford, Connecticut USA on Friday, May 14, 2004

I thought this was a rather peculiar book. First of all it seemed very rough to me. It feels like they rushed to publish it and didn't edit it very well. I found that especially in the early parts of the book this was very irritating.

I am interested in some of the perspectives on Japanese life that Ms Mori presented. I taught Japanese preschool children and I found that Japanese women were the most polite, kind women that I had ever met. It is funny that the high bird like voice that all Japanese women affected was such an irritation to Ms. Mori. I always admired that voice - to me it was so dainty and feminine - something no one would accuse me of being. But, I never dealt with the fathers and so I never had a full perspective of Japanese life and the interactions of men and women.

What I thought was particularly intriguing is throughout the book you expect her to offer an opinion on whether she preferred Japanese culture or Midwestern culture but instead you got the general impression that she disliked both cultures. I think Ms. Mori is still a very unhappy person and so the overall tone of this book is unhappy. Still it has some very interesting observations on life in two extremely different cultures. This book is now off to hannahsc5 in Canada. 

Journal Entry 15 by hannahsc5 from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Just received the novel in mail today! Thank you!

As it is the only book in my to be read at the moment I will start on it today! 

Journal Entry 16 by hannahsc5 from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, June 24, 2004

So I did like this book but I don't think I was in the right mood or frame of mind to get the most from it.

I will be send it to Ilios as soon as he/she sends me their address.

Hannahsc 

Journal Entry 17 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Monday, July 12, 2004

Just got this in the mail. Thanks for sharing, kernow8! And thanks to hannahsc5 fro sending it to me. I am very curious about this book because I can relate to felling in between several cultures. I will update this journal entry as soon as I am done. 

Journal Entry 18 by Ilios from Tampa, Florida USA on Friday, October 29, 2004

I am horrified to see that I kept this book way too long! So sorry for the delay. As usual, life caught up with me (i.e, starting grad school while still working full-time, and a string of rays and rings arriving all at once). I am ready to send this on the needlewench.

Although I can relate to some of the feelings and experiences the author describes in the book - I am a woman "trapped in four cultures"! :o) - I found this book very pessimistic and I do agree with other BXers: I also had the impression that she disliked both cultures too much, which is sad. The book was also somewhat repetitive. On the other hand, I was happy to see that I am not the only person in the world who learned to drive at 27 :o)

I have been reading some Japanese authors lately (Haruki Murakami and Banana Yoshimoto), and although it is not fair to compare fiction and non-fiction, I have the impression I read about two different countries. Even though Murakami and Yoshimoto write about tragic events, their outlook is not as bleak as Mori's. Of course, I cannot tell which description is most accurate, since I've never been to Japan. I think that Ms. Mori's account might be a little tainted by the painful experiences she endured in her home country.

I can relate to the search for a place to call home. At 28, I am still trying to find my little perfect spot and settle down. I do hope the author will find hers too!  

Journal Entry 19 by Ilios at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Friday, October 29, 2004

Released on Saturday, October 30, 2004 at about 1:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

mailing to needlewench after much delay! Sorry! 

Journal Entry 20 by needlewench from Harmony, Rhode Island USA on Saturday, November 13, 2004

arrived today! i'm really looking forward to reading this one. 

Journal Entry 21 by needlewench from Harmony, Rhode Island USA on Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Mea culpa! I am mortified that I have let the chaos of my life of late manage to hold up this ray so long. I was really looking forward to reading this book which is why I didn’t simply send it along to the next person, and instead found myself fighting with it, determined to make it through. But the author and her selfish and depressive voice certainly didn’t make it easy. Normally, this book would have been qualified a "wall-banger" early on . . .

Having spend time tossed into the culture of Japan, I think I expected something different from this book. Something more wistful and insightful, a small understanding of both cultures as only those who can manage to be both on the inside and the outside can achieve. Instead, it was a book full of blame and a listing of flaws – except those of the author herself! – and anger and utter cluelessness about even the most basic cultural understanding.

For all that the author seems to hold resentment and find fault with, she never does anything to change it. Even when talking about her own unhappy marriage while witnessing a friend going through a divorce, she gives again a great clue to her own character: "For myself, I was thinking that I would like to be divorced, but I didn't seem to be able to work up enough energy to start such a big change." Instead of using her energy to make changes for the better in her life, she simply sits and complains, finds faults, and stews in anger things that have happened decades ago, letting them still have a hold on her and direct her constant unhappiness in life. It is both sad and frustrating to read a book that is so completely self-focused and yet does not realize it.

And yes, she needs to get over the laundry thing!

Despite the lackluster writing, I can see how this author has published several novels: she doesn’t just have issues, she’s got publications!

 

Journal Entry 22 by needlewench at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/12/2005 UTC) at post office in BOOKRAY, Bookray -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Being mailed on to TigerLily4 today! 

Journal Entry 23 by TigerLily4 from Lincoln, Nebraska USA on Monday, April 25, 2005

Received in the mail today from needlewench. Thanks!