What a beautiful, glittering gem! This quiet book immerses you in Japanese culture and, for me at least, drives you to the internet to learn more - about the scenic attractions, the customs, the foods. It is an experience that I'll return to, even if I never get the opportunity to travel there.

This is actually two books. The first one concerns, Flo, an American translator of Japanese literature. She has finished a big project and can't find a new one. Add to this that her girlfriend is relocating to America and Flo can't decide whether she also wants to go. She finds a book, <I>Sound of Water</I>, on the Tokyo subway and becomes immersed in the story. As she translates it, she decides to get this book translation published and so must find the mysterious author, Hibiki. So we read <I>Sound of Water</I>, a novel divided into 4 seasons beginning with spring side by side with Flo's journey through those seasons.

<I>Sound of Water</I> gives us the story of teenage Kyo and his grandmother, Ayako. Kyo has been sent from Tokyo to the rural town of Onomichi to live with his grandmother as he attends a cram school so that he can retake exams to get into medical school. Ayako is gruff and uncompromising, and Kyo struggles to find his place. The story here is layered as we uncover Kyo's talent for art and Ayako's struggles with the deaths of both her husband and her son (Kyo's father). Ayako and Kyo both grow and learn over the course of the year.

Both of these stories add up to a wondrous tale of love, loss, grief, and finding a way to overcome obstacles. It has a bit of everything - beautiful illustrations that extend the tale; awkward teenagers and crusty grandmas; and even a cat, named Coltrane after the jazz musician, with a supporting role. The characters are flawed and richly drawn. The setting is beautiful - there's temples and torii and imposing mountains. But it is storyline that gives it extra depth - it is a complex, creative novel that stays with you long after you've finished.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

<b>Quotes I liked:</b>

What do you do after you've achieved your biggest dream?

...spring was the hardest season - a time of change, a time of loss and rebirth.

It seemed a dangerous thing , to want to create.

...the important thing is that you turn up, you get out your pen, and you draw one small thing, one line at a time. That's how you achieve something big.

There were many routes to the top of the mountain..

Ultimately, everyone in life has to make their own journey. Alone.

...the physical world doesn't place limits on a person in the way that society does.

...how did she translate these very untranslatable feelings that coursed through her body and mind? How could she put this pain into words that other people could understand and relate to?

It all hinges around you, the reader.

It's not about getting to the end - about completion...It's about the journey, the process itself.

Four Seasons in Japan is a charming book about an American translator called Flo, living in Tokyo and the relationship she has with the fascinating book she's translating: Sound of Water.

Sound of Water is about a teenager called Kyo who has just failed his exams and gone to live with his grandma Ayako in a rural town, going to cram school and taking resits so he can get into medical school. Kyo and Ayako have to learn to live with each other and consider what each really wants out of life. And there's a cute one-eyed cat called Coltrane.

A recommended read for lovers of Japan and of character-driven stories.

So we have Flo who is fed up with her life in Toyko and is stuck in rut. She finds a book on a train and is compelled to translate it into English. The book tells the story of Ayako and her grandson Kyo. Kyo has moved in with his grandmother but their relationship is complex and somewhat fraught as they both navigate the difficulties of their family's past and manage their expectations for the future. As Flo recognises parallels with her own life the lines between the stories blur and she embarks on a journey of her own.

Typically when I read a story within a story I find I'm skimming to get back to the main event but for the first time ever I was equally invested. As I read I found my response to Kyo and Ayako mirroring Flo's - I sought photos of Hiroshima prefecture and Onomichi, researched the Atomic Bomb Dome and read about the Peace Memorial Ceremony. If I could have got on a train to Onomichi to look for them I certainly would have.

I loved the development of Kyo and Ayako's relationship. There are so many touching moments between them but the journey they took to the memorial has really stayed with me. I also loved the Japanese proverbs which are woven into the text and offer snippets of wisdom along the way. And as for the setting - it was everything - the authors descriptions of Onomichi and Hiroshima and of Kyo and Flo's train journeys made me want to book a ticket to Japan yesterday!

I thought 'Four Seasons in Japan' was a wonderful book. It was heartwarming and wholesome and very human. I was totally captivated by it.

Ad/ PR product. Thanks to @netgalley and @doubledayukbooks for an advance copy of this wonderful book.

Thankyou to Netgalley for sending me this arc copy of Four Seasons in Japan. I absolutely adored Cat in the City so I knew I would love this. It's a book within a book and immediately Nick Bradley's writing draws you into the curious world of Japanese culture.

A curious book within a book - the real life of a translator, and the four seasons of the book they discover.
I was sucked into both worlds - the locations, the characters (well drawn, flawed and human), and the details of culture and life in Japan were interesting too
I loved the seasonal illustrations for each section

Stunning. Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC, I hope to read more from the author. The cover illustration was equally amazing. Highly recommend.

Four Seasons in Japan is an intimate look at life in contemporary Japan, as seen by both locals and outsiders. It’s a gently paced book that takes place over the course of a year, as the title suggests. It highlights the differences between city and rural life and contrasts traditional culture and attitudes with modern ways. The author, Nick Bradley, has lived in Japan for many years, and it shows. He is able to highlight things that are of interest to readers who are new to Japan while writing authentically about his characters. And his cats! There’s some fun word play and well-rounded characters, with suspense maintained until the end. The book includes some delightful line drawings and calligraphy, which added to the experience.

Flo Dunthorpe is an American translator living in Tokyo, who is at a crisis point in her life. Her work has dried up and so has her relationship with her girlfriend, Yuki. She is a gloomy character when we meet her, but she has loyal friends who believe in her, which is cause for optimism. (I loved that she looked up her own reviews on TrashReads – a sort of in-joke for those in the book world!) She needs to find work and to decide whether to follow Yuki to New York or stay put. Fate conspires to put a novel in her path, Sound of Water by Hibiki. Flo becomes engrossed with the story of Kyo and his grandmother, Ayako. She begins translating the book and we read what she has written, so Four Seasons in Japan becomes a meta novel – a book within a book. Flo is desperate to ensure her editor will like her translation of Sound of Water – but can she find Hibiki, the mysterious Japanese author, and get permission to publish it in English?

Bradley divides Four Seasons in Japan into sections according to the seasons that Kyo and Ayako experience in Sound of Water, which mirror those that Flo is living through as she translates their story. Kyo has failed his exams and become a roninsei: he attends a cram school in order to retake and go on to the career in medicine that his family wants for him. Meanwhile, he must live with his grandmother, who he barely knows. He is tormented by the death by suicide of his father when he was a baby – as is Ayako, who is strict and traditional and determined not to let her grandson down in the way she feels she let her son down. She secretly admires Kyo’s skill as an artist but both characters are so repressed that they don’t show their true emotions. Kyo’s dilemma is whether to fulfil his family’s expectations or follow his heart and become an artist.

Locations are vital to the book. Kyo becomes attached to life outside Tokyo, and it becomes apparent that the mountains and water are more than just part of the scenery; they’ve played an important part in the story of his family. Kyo is the respectful grandson, meaning that he won’t ask questions of his taciturn grandmother, and their shared history is only gradually revealed. You’ll want to keep reading to discover how Flo, Ayako and Kyo change over the course of the four seasons and whether they achieve their respective aims.

This was a gorgeous read. I love a book within book and the two stories within were intertwined beautifully. Nicely paced, well developed characters and a charming tale. My favourite element of the book was its setting. I have never been to Japan and it is top of travel wish list and I find myself drawn to novels set there. I loved the vivid descriptions, I could picture the locations clearly and the writing on the traditions, practice and culture were a joy to read. A really lovely read, recommend.

An amazing book, what a change to read about life and peoples interactions and there effects on each other. The story centres on a teenage boy Kyo and his grandmother. He is sent to live with his grandmother in a small Japanese village where he has to attend a special school to cram for his entry exams into medical school. This journey sets him on his way to discovering why his father died so early in his life and how his grandmother can come to terms with that loss and not make the same mistakes with Kyo. Very very enjoyable, I recommend this book to you.

This book really takes you to Japan (I've never been, but now really want to go). Two storylines -1 around an American, Flo, living in Japan and the other Ayako, who owns a cafe and the relationship with her grandson Kyo. Beautifully descriptive , great insight to the Japanese culture. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really loved the notion of a book within a book and found the language of 'Four seasons in Japan' mesmerising. I felt as if I was visiting the small town of Onomichi myself as it was described in such a way I could visualise it. The relationship between Ayako and her grandson Kyo was incredibly moving. The exploration of grief, belonging, family, literature and tradition are explored in a really interesting way. I enjoyed the parts of the book about Flo but found mysef longing to return to Ayako. The use of traditional illustrations and modern day photographs was a really clever way to engage the reader and highlight the differences between the two stories. I found this a very moving and beautiful book.

Flo is sick of Tokyo. Suffering from a crisis in confidence, she is stuck in a rut, her translation work has dried up and she's in a relationship that's run its course. That's until she stumbles upon a mysterious book left by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo Subway. From the very first page, Flo is transformed and immediately feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel, a decision which sets her on a path that will change her life...

It is a story about Ayako, a fierce and strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in the small town of Onomichi, where she has just taken guardianship of her grandson, Kyo. Haunted by long-buried family tragedy, both have suffered extreme loss and feel unable to open up to each other. As Flo follows the characters across a year in rural Japan, through the ups and downs of the pair's burgeoning relationship, she quickly realises that she needs to venture outside the pages of the book to track down its elusive author. And, as her two protagonists reveal themselves to have more in common with her life than first meets the eye, the lines between text and translator converge. The journey is just beginning.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s different but well-written, paced, and presented. The characters come alive and bring out their emotions on the page. It's an interesting take on the old, traditional Japan and the modern one. Shown by using a book within a book which is very clever. A very enjoyable read.

This was so beautiful, I was so invested in the simplicity of Ayako and Kyo's story and watching the slow development of their relationship together after being estranged for so long. I loved the descriptions of Onomichi, I think Nick Bradley wrote it in such a great way that I genuinely lost myself into the story and could picture myself there so well which really helped with my investment in the storyline.

It's a character heavy story with very little plot but that's just what I expected after reading Bradley's first novel so I wasn't disappointed, I think the characters are so well rounded and developed to the point of feeling as though they are real which I loved.

My only negative to the story was that the ending felt a little bit rushed and as a result I got a bit lost and confused but other than that this book was amazing and very heart wrenching!

This book covers beliefs, values, customs, practices, and institutions of culture that gave me great insight. The author has provided readers with a deeper understanding of the ways in which people from different cultural backgrounds live, think, and interact with each other. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of human culture. This is a book that can promote understanding, empathy, and a sense of interconnectedness among people from different backgrounds.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was amazing!

Four Seasons in Japan is a book-within-a-book. We have Flo, an American translator living in Tokyo and feeling discouraged with life after the last book she worked on didn't do as well as she had hoped. Her relationship is not going great either and she just does not know what her next step is going to be. One day, when she is going back home after an outing with friends, Flo comes across a book left by a man on the tube. She starts reading it, becomes fascinated by it, and decides to translate it - that is when we get to the other story featured in Four Seasons in Japan.

The book Flo starts to translate is set in Onomichi, a small city in rural Japan, and discusses the relationship between Ayako and her grandson, Kyo. Ayako is a very strict old lady who owns a café in Onomichi and, in her way, is trying to reconnect with Kyo, as they are both still coming to terms with the suicide of Kyo's father, Ayako's son. Kyo is feeling lost and left out after not getting into university on his first try and being with his grandmother in this small town takes him on a journey of self-discovery.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters felt painfully real and it dealt with sensitive topics in a very gentle way. I loved to see Ayako soften and heal with her newfound relationship with Kyo, who reminds her so much of her son. She got a second chance at raising someone and coming to terms with what she thinks is best for someone, as opposed to what that someone really wants to do with their life

A delightful charming read with the main part being a story within a story. Set in Japan with wonderful descriptions and well developed characters I found I became drawn in and more invested as time went on. There are many strands within the book but mainly the struggles of Kyo to conform to the expectations of his family or be himself. Dark secrets and inability to communicate within a family abound. Definitely worth a read as it is beautifully written and flows well.

Four Season of Japan was another one of my impulse requests during my springtime request rampage on NetGalley. I liked the cover and the sound of the blurb, and as I’m curious about Japanese culture in general, I thought this would be a nice palate cleanser between my other SFF ARCs and SPFBO books. I really wish I would pick up more books set in Japan.

Flo is an American, living in Japan, working as a translator. While she loves Tokyo and Japan, she is unhappy with her life. Her girlfriend is about to leave for New York, translating jobs are sparse as nothing picks her interest (when she is not battling with self-doubt, that is), and she feels like a burden for her friends. Until, one day, Chance brings a book her way, that she can finally dedicate her time to.

Four Seasons in Japan follows Flo over a year of changes, as well as the book she is translating, which tells the story of a year where Kyo, a nineteen-year-old boy has to live with his grandmother, Ayako while he studies for his university retake exams. All the while honing his artistic skills and trying to figure out how to communicate with Ayako. There are generational differences as well as city vs countryside oppositions. Kyo is used to the big city life with countless entertainment possibilities, and hanging out with his friends while her mother works as a doctor and barely has time for him. Ayako on the other hand is very used to her quiet life and her routines and has very a strict view of things. She knows grief and loss all too well and tries her best to do better with Kyo. She is the type of woman who means well but is absolutely certain she knows what’s best for Kyo, and never admits if she is wrong.

Neither is easy to live with, and it’s very fascinating to read about how their relationship grows over the time of a year, with all its ups and downs. Even though they are very different people, they also have more in common than they would think. They are both stubborn, strong-headed, driven by their passions, and have hearts of gold. Neither of them is easy to like or agree with at times, but I loved reading about them and all the characters that appear in their lives. Especially Ayumi. She was the best.

Flo, on the other hand, came off as a bit insufferable. Yeah, she is having a hard time, and I certainly could identify with her at times, but I totally agreed with her girlfriend and friend about her being exhausting for people who try to talk or to get close to her. The thing is, her character is just not fleshed out enough. We know almost nothing about her, we only see little glimpses into her life, and as a reader, it’s very hard to connect with her in any way. And while I understand the author’s intentions, I don’t think she added much to the overall reading experience. Except maybe the bits where she visits the town the book is based on, and we get an interesting look at how reality and fiction can differ. That was actually fascinating.

Nick Bradley in his novel deals with some serious topics such as depression, suicide, generational differences, and how much pressure society puts on children and adults alike. From a very young age children are expected to study very hard and meet the expectations of their parents who want the same or better for them (as any parents would), and even the littlest slip can have consequences. Kyo’s failed university entrance exams make him feel like a failure and a disappointment, and while he struggles with his mother’s expectations for him, he also tries to figure out how to pursue what he actually wants. On the other hand, parents work themselves to exhaustion, to the point where they have barely time for their children, or at least, that’s the case with Kyo’s mom. And even when Kyo tries to express his feeling and thoughts, she dismisses them, thinking she knows what’s best for him. But does she? We don’t get an answer to that, exactly, but this book certainly gives enough food for thought.

Four Seasons in Japan is a slice-of-life kind of story where we get a glimpse into the life of a rural city through a boy who thinks he failed, and his grandmother who is determined not to fail. Into the life of a translator living in Japan coming from a different culture. We watch how their life changes as the seasons do. It’s not a long book, and I breezed through it in a weekend (a rare occurrence these days), as I was hardly able to put it down. Four Seasons in Japan could have been an excellent book, if it was better balanced between Flo and the story she is translating, giving both equal times to shine and breathe. Overall, I’m glad I picked this book up, and I’ll check out Nick Bradley‘s books in the future to see what he comes up with next.

Four Season in Japan focuses on Flo, an American translator living in Japan. Her translating work isn't going well, as is her personal life. When she finds a mysterious book left on the subway, she is immediately drawn in.
This book-within-a-book story is uniquely structured, and is well paced,

Captivating! A beautifully written novel that has a book within a book. Books about books are always a win for me., Nick has described Tokyo so well, I want to visit immediately. Flo developed as a person throughout the book and I loved her.

I am fortunate enough have access to many advance copies of books and have found new authors that I've really enjoyed. I tend to read anything that is set in a small community across different genres, but occasionally come across something that is out of this norm. This certainly fits that description, with a story within a story, both set in Japan. Sometimes I struggle with books like this, however this one I really enjoyed giving an insight into life in Japan and expectations that young people have to live up to. Highly recommended if you want to read something different.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.