Flo finds a book left behind by a homeless man on a train she's travelling on. She's a translator by trade and starts to read and translate this story as she's finding it hard to stick to the book she's supposed to be translating. Her girlfriend has left to go to New York for a year and Flo was supposed to go with her but their relationship looks to be over..Flo becomes obsessed with finding the author of the book. This gives her boring life a bit of excitement finally.
The abandoned story is about Ayako, an elderly lady who lives alone in a small town close to Hiroshima. She leads a busy life, running a small cafe and taking her daily walks along the mountain paths. Her grandson is sent to live with her from Tokyo as he's failed his exams and therefore can't go to university for another year. Kyo, her grandson is her dead son's child. Her son committed suicide as he was very depressed about his life and the direction it wasn't going in. Ayoka grieves for her son dai!y. They find it hard to relate to each other at first.
I have to say I struggled in places to carry on reading this story. It seemed to go flat in parts, and I found it really hard to continue on with it. Once I'd lost my flow, I'd have to stop, leave it and then try again. I also found the ending a bit of an anticlimax. What I imagined the ending to be, it really wasnt!!.
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #randomhouse, #nasubijutsu.

I was a big fan of Nick's debut The Cat and The City, and I'm glad to say he's done it again. "Who needs friends when you have books?"

Once more he takes us on a journey and immerses the reader in the culture and beauty of Japan. It's a brilliant book within a book. At times Ayako is a frustrating character, the way she treats Kyo and so stubborn. But when we learn more of her background and story it makes more sense. And makes the journey of their relationship more satisfying. My favourite character was Kyo, who is at that age when he's trying to figure out what he wants in life. He's conflicted between what he's supposed to do and what he actually wants to do. And obviously Coltrane the cat.

A lovely, gentle and comforting book that was a joy to read. There is a book within a book going on, a fresh awareness about words and translation, and some tenderly drawn characters that it is a pleasure to spend time with.

Flo is a translator who has lost her love of life until she finds her next project - a book left carelessly on a train leads her to a quest for its author and permission to translate. The book is about a lost young man and his relationship with his grandmother, and his journey from failing his university exams to finding his purpose in life.

This is a really sweet book. it took me a little while to get into in, but once I was hooked I carried on reading.

Flo is an American living in Tokyo. She translates books from Japanese to English. Her most recent book was a bit of a pet project and has had mixed reviews due to the subject matter rather than her translation. This has shaken her confidence. Her private life is also in turmoil. Her girlfriend wants her to move to New York with her, but she is dithering. Her friends don't even know she has a girlfriend such is her compartmentalisation of her life.

By chance she picks up a copy of Sound of Water and instantly wants to have this as her next project. The reader now gets to read this book as well. It is the story of Kyo, who, after failing his exams to go to medical school, is sent to live with his Grandmother, Ayako, in Onomichi, a much smaller town, far away from Tokyo. He will attend cram school there and resit his exams. Initially, things are frosty between Kyo and Ayako. He is very modern, expecting all the mod cons that he has in Tokyo and Ayako is very traditional and doesn't even own a TV. He suffers from feelings of failure, but doesn't know how to express this to other people and cause his to make some strange decisions. Gradually they find a rhythm and jog along.

In the meantime, Flo has to track down the author of the book, known only as Hibiki, in order to gain their permission to translate.

This worked for me as a reader as I wanted to know more, i wanted to find out the background to Ayako and whether the book was based on Hibiki's life. A nice book.

Flo is an American translator living in her dream city of Tokyo but her life’s far from perfect, her career’s stalled and her girlfriend is leaving her. Then she finds a mysterious book set in the port city of Onomichi, and becomes obsessed with finding its author and producing a translation. Nick Bradley alternates between Flo in Tokyo and the Onomichi narrative. The Onomichi novel centres on the rocky relationship between café owner Ayako and her grandson Kyo who’s come to stay with her while he studies to retake exams. Ayako and Kyo's storyline focuses on the growing bond between them - as well as the various stumbling blocks constantly threatening to derail it - and the everyday of their local community. Kyo's supposed to be preparing for medical school so he can become a doctor like his mother but his real passion is drawing, partly inspired by his feelings about his father who died by suicide when Kyo was very young. And as time passes he's increasingly torn between following his own path or conforming to his mother's expectations.

Bradley concentrates on storytelling here, building on his many years in Japan and his extensive background in Japanese fiction. The result is mostly fluid, accessible and undemanding. I enjoyed Bradley's more inventive flourishes and the attention to detail such as the inclusion of Kyo’s artwork, as well as the many references to Japanese culture, history and literature. But there were times when the writing felt slightly forced and flat, and the characters too stock – some of the ideas around generational divides, youth versus age, and their impact on Ayako’s sensibilities versus Kyo’s felt a little stereotypical, particularly Ayako’s as the forbidding, irascible older woman. I also found the contrast between the "found" novel and the episodes centred on Flo’s experiences an awkward one. It’s a very readable piece and there were numerous charming elements – particularly the street cats - and I can see it appealing to a number of readers but it didn’t entirely work for me: the resolution to both storylines was frustratingly abrupt; and Bradley’s story frequently strayed into the kind of life-lesson territory I tend to avoid.

This is such a lovely story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Kyo is sent to live with his grandmother, Ayako, by his mother. He is 19 and has failed his exams to get him into medical school so it has to spend a year at a cram school to get his grades. He is not happy leaving a city to go to a small town but it all works out in the long run. My review is short as I want people to read this and realise this is such a lovely book and I do not want to give anything away other than to say it gives a great insight into Japan and their people. A MUST READ

This is an enjoyable two-hander of a book. Flo's story (losing love, trying to find her way) involves her finding a book on a train and then trying to track down the author, because she really wants to translate it into English. Within her story we the get the 'novel', a coming-of-age tale of surly teenager and equally surly grandmother learning to live together.

OK, sometime I found the 'Westerner in Japan' POV a little bit clichéd at times, and the Japanese story is equally 'here's a life lesson, let's grow together' - but, hey, it is well-written and Nick Bradley clearly loves Japan, and there are some nice moments throughout.

3.5 stars, but I'm in a good mood so rounded up to 4.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

I know nothing about Japan so this was a lovely book to read and some insight into japanese culture. The book relates a story within a story but it is well divided so you are clear about what is happening. It is well written with good characterisation and I felt engaged with the characters. Highly recommend this lovely book

A slow gentle read which I read but did not hold my attention.
The story of Kyo and Ayoka was interesting and it was this part of the book which kept me reading.
Not for me , but still an unusual book which should appeal to other readers.

A lovely gently novel that makes you think about life. It tells the story of a girl working in Japan as a translator reaching a crossroads in her life. She finds a book, also about an artist at a crossroads. So we get two books really, a book in a book. On both stories we follow the journey of each character and how they consider their next steps in life. There is not a huge amount going on, and at times I would’ve liked a bit more story, but that is the beauty of the novel, the simplicity of life and power each of us have to control it. I would’ve enjoyed a bit more detail on Kyo’s story at the end, and how he found his pathway. I really enjoyed the look at Japanese life and places, and it brought back plenty of memories of a holiday in Japan for me, so this did add a lot to my enjoyment of the novel. I do think you need to be in the right frame of mind to read the book, else you might get annoyed at the slow pace, and lack of things happening. But I’m glad it hit me at a nice time, and I could enjoy it to it’s fullest. With thanks to Transworld, Penguin Random House for the advance copy via @netgalley. @penguinukbooks

I really enjoyed how the fictional world of Ayako/Onomichi was weaved into Flos real life, and this was written beautifully by the author. A story within a story which is a win win for me. I felt transported to Japan and loved how the story moved through the seasons. I found the characters compelling, the setting immersive and vibrant, and the story was so interesting. It felt a peaceful read despite the themes of loss and pain. I found it heartwarming and a reminder of the importance of connection, and following your dreams. And there were lots of lovely cats 🐈‍⬛ 😂

I’ve always enjoyed books by Japanese authors The fact that Nick Bradley is clearly not Japanese is no barrier to his fantastically evocative new novel. Slow paced and gentle this is a lovely story within a story. Flo translates a tale about a young man and his grandmother who learn from each other and in turn Flo learns about herself.

I’m a sucker for a Japanese themed book (I’m a sucker for Japan to be honest). They’re always so loving and gentle, like a big pillow! This one is no exception (though not a Japanese writer, he clearly “feels it”.

A beautiful story, two stories really cleverly intertwined, really beautifully written. We have Flo - a translator who has lost herself a little, and Ayako who runs a cafe and who unexpectedly has to look after her grandson who is used to the fast pace of Tokyo.

An absolute joy to read, and it was wonderful to touch base again with some of the places I have been, reliving it again.

My thanks to Netgalley and Transworld, Penguin Random House for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Flo has found a book on a train and has started to translate it. The storyline moves between her life and the book she's found.

The story she translates is so beautifully written and shows the true essence of a grandmother and grandsons relationship. Of different generations but still able to live together despite their differences and reluctance to share much.

One of the many journeys they went together, either physically or verbally, was to the Peace Gardens at Hiroshima. This was the site of the atomic bomb. A constant reminder of what one human can do to another. Very moving.

I found this such an enchanting and captivating read that showed life in Japan. It's a slow, sweeping read, but it kept my interest throughout, and I enjoyed it very much

Beautiful, gentle, soul searching, soothing, kind, educational and one of the most fabulous stories I have read in a long time! Nick Bradley lives the essence of Japan, it’s culture, it’s integrity, it’s simplicity and it’s soul! Flo is an American literary translator living in Tokyo but is having trouble with her latest book and also her love life! She is looking for answers and then unexpectedly comes across a book left on the passenger seat of a train. The book is Sound of Water by Hibiki and so begins her story and that of Ayako and Kyo, grandmother and grandson.
Ayako has a coffee shop in Onamichi and Kyo, having failed his university entrance exam, comes to live with her to go to Cram School there. Their relationship is never easy but their respect for each other grows as does Kyo’s talent as a manga cartoonist! It is a magical tale told so beautifully and so gently, I absolutely loved it. It will be bought immediately and read again and again! I envy all first time readers!

Finding and building a future in Japan outside the mega city.

(This review is based on a free review copy from the publisher via Net Galley UK)

Kyo’s life ends at nineteen, when he fails his university entrance exams and his deported from Tokyo by his Doctor Mother to live with his formidable and somewhat austere grandmother in a small coastal town near Hiroshima, which contains absolutely none of the things he sees as essential to normal life. His mission is to study at a cramming school for a year and get his predetermined medical career back on track.

On arrival, he is shocked to find that people speak to him in passing on the street! Gradually, he comes to realise that they actually care about each other and even about him, the new stranger in their midst. And the community is more impressed by his artistic talents than his medical ambitions.

Interwoven with this is the story of a young American woman, living and working in Tokyo as a translator, who tries to rebuild her own life around translating a book she has found on a train, telling Kyo’s story. She must track down the author and get his permission to publish, whilst fighting her own crisis of confidence in her own talents.

By struggling with the impossible choice between pursuing his medical ambitions or his artistic talents, Kyo finds that the real choice is between Tokyo, where he must choose one career or the other, or the community which will support him whichever he chooses, or even if he makes no choice at all.

This novel, bordering on fable, quietly addresses a very important but seldom discussed issue in the modern world, which is that the whole basis for the “mega city” planning concept behind Tokyo and Shanghai, and turning the whole of England into an extension of London, is to create a situation where every employer can easily find someone with the skills they need who has no option other than to render those skills for no reward beyond the barest necessities of life. Supposedly, there is a critical population mass of 100 million, at which point all but the 0.001% magically become compliant wage slaves, forever. The author shows us, without beating us over the head with the idea, that more traditional caring values offer an alternative to dystopia.

This is an absolutely delightful book!

The main story is on Kyo and his grandmother. This is a wonderful, story with such depth of character. I love the development of the relationship between the two and the funny and sad elements along the way.

Around this story is something of the story of the translator, this story is not so well rounded but has a nice balance to the main event.

I was intrigued by this book which is like an onion being built up in layers, first with the author’s story and then with the translator’s. I have not come across another book like it.

A wonderful, beautiful story of growing up, finding your path, of love, loss and family. It will stay with me for a long time.

This book within a book is just lovely. A slow paced book about Flo, a translator of Japanese to English, and a book she starts to translate. Flo has a few issues in her own life and gets completely embroiled in the story of Ayako and Tyo. The two different stories run seamlessly alongside each other and the writing is almost like poetry. It is a wonderful book which tells us of a few Japanese traditions and I love reading a book which teaches me something. A fabulous read.

This is such a considered and gentle story about finding yourself when you feel lost. As a book-within-a-book, it follows the story of Flo, an American translator living in Japan, who is feeling a bit directionless after fulfilling her professional aim and a break up. She finds a book on the train - the story of Kyo and Ayako - and begins to translate it.

I absolutely loved the story of Kyo and Ayako, and while I was more invested in these chapters, they were interwoven and reflected seamlessly by the Flo storyline. In many ways, this is a love-letter to Japan - and I really enjoyed reading it. A good book for the summer - it deals with themes of loss and familial frustration in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

CW: Death of parent, suicidal ideation, complicated familial relationships

The book is melancholic, evocative, and compelling. There are heart to heart conversation between friends. Where failure, resentment and devastation engulfed Flo, Kyoko and Makoto were always there for her. Flo’s odyssey has encapsulated the life of a translator. When something she was passionate about turns into her biggest grief not only she detach herself from the world but also from the person she loves the most. And revelation of her relationship and some truth she kept with herself shook me.

While Kyo’s story encapsulated emotions, family expectations and a lot more. Kyo and Ayako got connected due to long buried family tragedy as they both have been through loss, likemindedness and the invisible emotional chord that held them. There was also truth of Kyo’s grandfather that his grandmother holds close to her heart. But fear and uncertainty of life has gripped her. The characters were so emotional and closed Af.

There were some traditions, deep conversations about relationships, literature, role of a translator, emotions, responsibilities towards family, making a choice, and differentiating between fiction and non-fiction. I liked the comparison between life and literature as well. Author has shared about so many places and traditions in book.

Reading the book felt like an emotional chaos and tangled between heart and mind, life and literature and inevitable expectations filling life with devastation and innumerable feelings. The author keenly observes those around them as it has reflected in their writing and characters.

Thank you Netgalley, Publisher, & Author