From Publishers Weekly
Margaret, a 20-something Canadian, has fled to Tokyo to escape her past and now instructs aspiring stewardesses in "cabin-crew and airline interview English." By night, she numbs herself with drink and dangerous sex. Her story, as readers learn in alternating chapters, features an imploding family and a dangerously schizophrenic brother. Though Margaret is less than convincing as a narrator, her surreal Tokyo encounters propel the book: a barkeep who communicates with lines from Beatles songs, speakers in public bathrooms that broadcast flushing sounds, a rent-a-dog park, a Western slacker who gigs as a fake wedding minister. And, of course, the automated love hotels that Margaret frequents with a Japanese gangster. The plot lurches forward—Margaret becomes fixated on a missing Western girl, gets fired and hooks up with a man whose name she never learns before her roommate flees. There's redemption to be gained, but the fractured narrative feels like a string of bizarre moments. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

This is a well written tale of extra-ordinary life for a Western woman in Japan. I did really get into it. although I have to say that the ending was not "there" for me. My interest in Japan has been piqued by the vivid descriptions of places I visited as a teen and so I am now keen to read similar books.

RELEASE NOTES:

By post for the BCUK exchange...

Arrived in the post today - thanks GlitterLover.

When I first received this book with a glitzy pink cover, for the BCUK Birthday Book Exchange, I thought eeeek a chicklit book - not quite my genre.

However, glitterlover assured me that it would be my type of book and having read it I'm impressed with her judgement. It's a thoroughly well-written tale set in early 2000's Japan, with some very clever, sometimes quite deep bits aswell as some funny parts too - thanks very much!

Nottingham Round the World Reading Challenge: JAPAN

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to a fellow BookObssessed member who selected from the Passport to the World VBB.

Why has this taken me 2 weeks to journal?!? I can only say that my mind has been elsewhere with this baby on the way - due in a week and a half! Thanks for sending this on, GBsghost!

After finally getting around to reading this one, I finished it in an afternoon. The pace is fast and furious, much as was my experience while visiting Tokyo! It was a surprise and delight to recognize both the sights and sounds of Tokyo and Toronto, where I lived for several years, and Bali where I studied for a semester abroad in university. I feel like Margaret is my alter ego. If I had a miserable and tragic childhood, perhaps I would end up in a similar fate. Reading this novel was both compelling and repelling. It made me wonder how many Margarets are out there wandering around trying to escape themselves. How can I connect with people who are trying desperately to disconnect from the themselves and the world? I found the ending a bit flat, as if by part 3 of the book, the author just gave up and ran out of steam. Overall, a decent read, but not earth shattering.

This is on its way to Supertalya. Enjoy!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I sent this along to Supertalya as part of the Passport to the World VBB. Enjoy!

It looks like a fun book. A semester abroad in Bali, Ri? WOW.

Just moved back to Okinawa from Korea and received this from one of my book soul mates. I previously lived overlooking an entire valley of love motels here on island (literally the Mint House was my backyard)...so this should resonate nicely with me. Beginning it today.