Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

There is not much to this book, but what there is is excellent! A gem!, 07 Sep 2008
A mere 132 pages; a simple story without embellishment - of a Westerner trapped in a Japanese corporation - but the impact is huge. Like a modern horror story, the protagonist slips unwittingly and unstoppably into a hell-like existence.

The force of the book lies in the story being so lifelike that is could almost be true, perhaps is true! Born from the authors own experiences in Japan, it is realistic and never exaggerated.

Before the bubble burst, Japan really did rule the economic world, with an arrogance to match. But behind that success are methods and structures and expectations steeped in a culture and mindset which is totally alien and incomprehensible to outsiders. Codes of conduct which are unspoken, rigid hierarchies which are not made explicit. A mine-field of 'Dos' and Don'ts.'

There are few more accurate, more illuminating or more succinct introductions to life in Japanese business.

And none which are as entertaining!

A little gem of a book, 15 May 2006
Once started (for me at 11.00pm!) this book is unputdownable! It was well after midnight before I was able to tear myself away from this interesting, quirky and unusual story. Often funny, it is the first book to make me laugh out loud for a long time. The cynical and drole sense of humour of the authress is not to be taken seriously, but she imbues her book with a humanity and attention to detail which is impressive and certainly makes up for the rather bleak outlook.
As a fan of Japan and its culture I found this insight into it's corporate life amusingly toungue-in-cheek and yet was not completely swayed by it's one sidededness.
A relatively short novella, Fear and Trembling could be finished easily in a few hours, but hours well spent gripped in a highly entertaining attack on the constricted nature of Japanese heirarchy.

Disturbing, 19 Mar 2006
I have never been to Japan and have no idea whether Amélie Nothomb’s picture of Japanese corporate society is correct - but if it is, it is a horrifying one: sadistically hierarchical, where no one can expect any pleasure, can hope only to avoid shame, and where the expectation for women in particular is a life of such artificiality and submission that their only escape could be into a pleasure-less and loveless marriage with some man who is nearly as stunted as she is. A western woman, hoping to work in such an environment for which nothing has prepared her, is likely to be driven mad, to lose all confidence in herself and eventually even to see in her own degradation some kind of liberation: she can hardly fall any lower. She should have been sacked for incompetence, but it is almost impossible for a corporation to sack an employee. As for her, however humiliated she is, she won’t quit herself before her contract was up because she, too, has assumed that quitting is a matter of shame rather than of an assertion of her dignity. (True, she also admits that she already had a martyr-complex.) That, at any rate, is what happens to the Belgian-educated Amélie in this story. The blurbs on the back describe the book as ‘funny’ and ‘hilarious’: I find it hard to enjoy the humour. It is one thing to find Japanese culture alien to that of the west, another to subject it to an attack so savage and unremitting that I think it comes close to racism. Lest we think that Nothomb is merely describing the situation in one particular company from which we should not draw general conclusions about the country as a whole, she drives her point home by saying that Japan was simply ‘an extension of The Company’. That the book has achieved international best-seller status must dismay even those Japanese (and I know some) who are critical of their conformist society.

I have given this book a four star rating for its literary quality. Were the rating to reflect how it made me feel - that is, uneasy and indeed repelled - it would be considerably lower.

Cynicly funny, 19 Dec 2005
Amélie Nothomb's father being a diplomat, she is born in Japan, and moved very young to China and other contries. This gives her a wise but cynic perception of the world in which I agree.
'Fear and Trembling' ( the book is much better than the movie) is a story of a young woman emplyed in a Japanese firm underlining the cultural contrast in a humoristic way.
This maybe the most 'healthy' minded story she has written.

Chrysanthemum and sword, 20 Feb 2005
Events described in this book should be partly true and partly exaggerated. I will not talk about this point as it will be endless argument.

What I'm really concerned is that the author tries to conceptualise Japanese corporate culture as a whole, ONLY through the experience she'd had in one year in one company. It then adds to "chrysanthemum and sword" type explation of Japanese culture (e.g. frequent reference to WW2 and suicidal tendencies), through emphasising the difference from Western practice, and thus further contributing to alienism.

As a result readers may assume that such extraordinary relationships are found elsewhere in Japanese corporations. But I do believe such working environment, especially people like Fubuki, were, if any, really really exceptional. Funny, extraordinary thus interesting-to-read aspects are always highlited and then published as if it is the collective voice.

Of course, "Japanese-specific" practices will do exist. But at least I think there are remarkable changes as well. I'm afraid that this book, as a bestseller, contributes to the simplistic understanding of how Japanese corporate culture is mad.

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

There is not much to this book, but what there is is excellent! A gem!, 07 Sep 2008
A mere 132 pages; a simple story without embellishment - of a Westerner trapped in a Japanese corporation - but the impact is huge. Like a modern horror story, the protagonist slips unwittingly and unstoppably into a hell-like existence.

The force of the book lies in the story being so lifelike that is could almost be true, perhaps is true! Born from the authors own experiences in Japan, it is realistic and never exaggerated.

Before the bubble burst, Japan really did rule the economic world, with an arrogance to match. But behind that success are methods and structures and expectations steeped in a culture and mindset which is totally alien and incomprehensible to outsiders. Codes of conduct which are unspoken, rigid hierarchies which are not made explicit. A mine-field of 'Dos' and Don'ts.'

There are few more accurate, more illuminating or more succinct introductions to life in Japanese business.

And none which are as entertaining!

A little gem of a book, 15 May 2006
Once started (for me at 11.00pm!) this book is unputdownable! It was well after midnight before I was able to tear myself away from this interesting, quirky and unusual story. Often funny, it is the first book to make me laugh out loud for a long time. The cynical and drole sense of humour of the authress is not to be taken seriously, but she imbues her book with a humanity and attention to detail which is impressive and certainly makes up for the rather bleak outlook.
As a fan of Japan and its culture I found this insight into it's corporate life amusingly toungue-in-cheek and yet was not completely swayed by it's one sidededness.
A relatively short novella, Fear and Trembling could be finished easily in a few hours, but hours well spent gripped in a highly entertaining attack on the constricted nature of Japanese heirarchy.

Disturbing, 19 Mar 2006
I have never been to Japan and have no idea whether Amélie Nothomb’s picture of Japanese corporate society is correct - but if it is, it is a horrifying one: sadistically hierarchical, where no one can expect any pleasure, can hope only to avoid shame, and where the expectation for women in particular is a life of such artificiality and submission that their only escape could be into a pleasure-less and loveless marriage with some man who is nearly as stunted as she is. A western woman, hoping to work in such an environment for which nothing has prepared her, is likely to be driven mad, to lose all confidence in herself and eventually even to see in her own degradation some kind of liberation: she can hardly fall any lower. She should have been sacked for incompetence, but it is almost impossible for a corporation to sack an employee. As for her, however humiliated she is, she won’t quit herself before her contract was up because she, too, has assumed that quitting is a matter of shame rather than of an assertion of her dignity. (True, she also admits that she already had a martyr-complex.) That, at any rate, is what happens to the Belgian-educated Amélie in this story. The blurbs on the back describe the book as ‘funny’ and ‘hilarious’: I find it hard to enjoy the humour. It is one thing to find Japanese culture alien to that of the west, another to subject it to an attack so savage and unremitting that I think it comes close to racism. Lest we think that Nothomb is merely describing the situation in one particular company from which we should not draw general conclusions about the country as a whole, she drives her point home by saying that Japan was simply ‘an extension of The Company’. That the book has achieved international best-seller status must dismay even those Japanese (and I know some) who are critical of their conformist society.

I have given this book a four star rating for its literary quality. Were the rating to reflect how it made me feel - that is, uneasy and indeed repelled - it would be considerably lower.

Cynicly funny, 19 Dec 2005
Amélie Nothomb's father being a diplomat, she is born in Japan, and moved very young to China and other contries. This gives her a wise but cynic perception of the world in which I agree.
'Fear and Trembling' ( the book is much better than the movie) is a story of a young woman emplyed in a Japanese firm underlining the cultural contrast in a humoristic way.
This maybe the most 'healthy' minded story she has written.

Chrysanthemum and sword, 20 Feb 2005
Events described in this book should be partly true and partly exaggerated. I will not talk about this point as it will be endless argument.

What I'm really concerned is that the author tries to conceptualise Japanese corporate culture as a whole, ONLY through the experience she'd had in one year in one company. It then adds to "chrysanthemum and sword" type explation of Japanese culture (e.g. frequent reference to WW2 and suicidal tendencies), through emphasising the difference from Western practice, and thus further contributing to alienism.

As a result readers may assume that such extraordinary relationships are found elsewhere in Japanese corporations. But I do believe such working environment, especially people like Fubuki, were, if any, really really exceptional. Funny, extraordinary thus interesting-to-read aspects are always highlited and then published as if it is the collective voice.

Of course, "Japanese-specific" practices will do exist. But at least I think there are remarkable changes as well. I'm afraid that this book, as a bestseller, contributes to the simplistic understanding of how Japanese corporate culture is mad.

An enjoyable scenario about the invasion of Japan, 07 Nov 2008
Robert Conroy premises his most recent alternate history novel, about an American invasion of Japan during World War II, on the success of a real-life group of hard-core militarists who attempted to thwart Japan's surrender in the Second World War. With the emperor now in custody and the impending surrender suddenly called off, American forces now have little option but to carry out Operation Downfall, the invasion of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. As is typical of many alternate history novels, Conroy's narrative unfolds through the experiences of a mixture of historical and devised characters, and it is through their eyes that we witness the consequences of the prolonged scenario.

Conroy's scenario benefits from a degree of verisimilitude lacking from the similarly premised but much inferior novel Macarthur's War: A Novel of the Invasion of Japan. His writing is also much improved from his imaginatively-plotted but poorly characterized first novel 1901, as his characters and their attitudes seem more plausible for their historical setting than they did in his earlier work. While not as evocative as David Westheimer's classic Lighter Than a Feather, it is nonetheless an enjoyable novel of the genre, one that entertains its readers with an engaging picture of "what might have been."

Great "what if" book, 11 Mar 2008
This is the third novel by this author that I have read this is without a doubt the best.
I enjoy these alternative history stories this one does not let you down an excellent book well researched and well written

One of the best, 23 Feb 2008
A well researched and well crafted account of what happens when Japan fails to surrender following the dropping of the atom bombs. A page turner and apart from being a "what if" as accurate as you could hope. It all hangs together and the author hasn't had to delve into fantasy. One of the best what ifs, far better than Turtledove (also no typos). Research is on a par with George McDonald Fraser and his brilliant Flashman novels, quality of writing easily matches 'Time Travellers wife' and 'The Lovely Bones'.

operation downfall, 30 Nov 2007
An alternate history novel that considers what might have happened had, when japan was about to surrender in 1945, the japanese army launched a coup, taken over the country, and carried on fighting. In a country where there's nothing much left to bomb, but with a fanatical populace and army prepared to die to defend their shores, america [britain and other allies are still fighting in south east asia, so don't worry, they do get mentioned] has to invade. Facing suicide bombers and human shields a very bloody conflict ensues.

The home front is in turmoil as people weary of war, but one secret agent landed in japan might just be able to perform above and beyond the call of duty.

a story complete in one volume, and running to 432 pages, this follows the usual format for alternate history novels, with characters both real and created by the writer. All of whom are quite good, and generally fit in with the style of the times. also as usual for this kind of book the broad sweeping canvas means you don't see some events firsthand such as the initial landings. but it's very effective to see what the second wave of troops experience as they go ashore.

And this is very readable stuff. if you like this kind of thing, you shouldn't go wrong with this book

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

There is not much to this book, but what there is is excellent! A gem!, 07 Sep 2008
A mere 132 pages; a simple story without embellishment - of a Westerner trapped in a Japanese corporation - but the impact is huge. Like a modern horror story, the protagonist slips unwittingly and unstoppably into a hell-like existence.

The force of the book lies in the story being so lifelike that is could almost be true, perhaps is true! Born from the authors own experiences in Japan, it is realistic and never exaggerated.

Before the bubble burst, Japan really did rule the economic world, with an arrogance to match. But behind that success are methods and structures and expectations steeped in a culture and mindset which is totally alien and incomprehensible to outsiders. Codes of conduct which are unspoken, rigid hierarchies which are not made explicit. A mine-field of 'Dos' and Don'ts.'

There are few more accurate, more illuminating or more succinct introductions to life in Japanese business.

And none which are as entertaining!

A little gem of a book, 15 May 2006
Once started (for me at 11.00pm!) this book is unputdownable! It was well after midnight before I was able to tear myself away from this interesting, quirky and unusual story. Often funny, it is the first book to make me laugh out loud for a long time. The cynical and drole sense of humour of the authress is not to be taken seriously, but she imbues her book with a humanity and attention to detail which is impressive and certainly makes up for the rather bleak outlook.
As a fan of Japan and its culture I found this insight into it's corporate life amusingly toungue-in-cheek and yet was not completely swayed by it's one sidededness.
A relatively short novella, Fear and Trembling could be finished easily in a few hours, but hours well spent gripped in a highly entertaining attack on the constricted nature of Japanese heirarchy.

Disturbing, 19 Mar 2006
I have never been to Japan and have no idea whether Amélie Nothomb’s picture of Japanese corporate society is correct - but if it is, it is a horrifying one: sadistically hierarchical, where no one can expect any pleasure, can hope only to avoid shame, and where the expectation for women in particular is a life of such artificiality and submission that their only escape could be into a pleasure-less and loveless marriage with some man who is nearly as stunted as she is. A western woman, hoping to work in such an environment for which nothing has prepared her, is likely to be driven mad, to lose all confidence in herself and eventually even to see in her own degradation some kind of liberation: she can hardly fall any lower. She should have been sacked for incompetence, but it is almost impossible for a corporation to sack an employee. As for her, however humiliated she is, she won’t quit herself before her contract was up because she, too, has assumed that quitting is a matter of shame rather than of an assertion of her dignity. (True, she also admits that she already had a martyr-complex.) That, at any rate, is what happens to the Belgian-educated Amélie in this story. The blurbs on the back describe the book as ‘funny’ and ‘hilarious’: I find it hard to enjoy the humour. It is one thing to find Japanese culture alien to that of the west, another to subject it to an attack so savage and unremitting that I think it comes close to racism. Lest we think that Nothomb is merely describing the situation in one particular company from which we should not draw general conclusions about the country as a whole, she drives her point home by saying that Japan was simply ‘an extension of The Company’. That the book has achieved international best-seller status must dismay even those Japanese (and I know some) who are critical of their conformist society.

I have given this book a four star rating for its literary quality. Were the rating to reflect how it made me feel - that is, uneasy and indeed repelled - it would be considerably lower.

Cynicly funny, 19 Dec 2005
Amélie Nothomb's father being a diplomat, she is born in Japan, and moved very young to China and other contries. This gives her a wise but cynic perception of the world in which I agree.
'Fear and Trembling' ( the book is much better than the movie) is a story of a young woman emplyed in a Japanese firm underlining the cultural contrast in a humoristic way.
This maybe the most 'healthy' minded story she has written.

Chrysanthemum and sword, 20 Feb 2005
Events described in this book should be partly true and partly exaggerated. I will not talk about this point as it will be endless argument.

What I'm really concerned is that the author tries to conceptualise Japanese corporate culture as a whole, ONLY through the experience she'd had in one year in one company. It then adds to "chrysanthemum and sword" type explation of Japanese culture (e.g. frequent reference to WW2 and suicidal tendencies), through emphasising the difference from Western practice, and thus further contributing to alienism.

As a result readers may assume that such extraordinary relationships are found elsewhere in Japanese corporations. But I do believe such working environment, especially people like Fubuki, were, if any, really really exceptional. Funny, extraordinary thus interesting-to-read aspects are always highlited and then published as if it is the collective voice.

Of course, "Japanese-specific" practices will do exist. But at least I think there are remarkable changes as well. I'm afraid that this book, as a bestseller, contributes to the simplistic understanding of how Japanese corporate culture is mad.

An enjoyable scenario about the invasion of Japan, 07 Nov 2008
Robert Conroy premises his most recent alternate history novel, about an American invasion of Japan during World War II, on the success of a real-life group of hard-core militarists who attempted to thwart Japan's surrender in the Second World War. With the emperor now in custody and the impending surrender suddenly called off, American forces now have little option but to carry out Operation Downfall, the invasion of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. As is typical of many alternate history novels, Conroy's narrative unfolds through the experiences of a mixture of historical and devised characters, and it is through their eyes that we witness the consequences of the prolonged scenario.

Conroy's scenario benefits from a degree of verisimilitude lacking from the similarly premised but much inferior novel Macarthur's War: A Novel of the Invasion of Japan. His writing is also much improved from his imaginatively-plotted but poorly characterized first novel 1901, as his characters and their attitudes seem more plausible for their historical setting than they did in his earlier work. While not as evocative as David Westheimer's classic Lighter Than a Feather, it is nonetheless an enjoyable novel of the genre, one that entertains its readers with an engaging picture of "what might have been."

Great "what if" book, 11 Mar 2008
This is the third novel by this author that I have read this is without a doubt the best.
I enjoy these alternative history stories this one does not let you down an excellent book well researched and well written

One of the best, 23 Feb 2008
A well researched and well crafted account of what happens when Japan fails to surrender following the dropping of the atom bombs. A page turner and apart from being a "what if" as accurate as you could hope. It all hangs together and the author hasn't had to delve into fantasy. One of the best what ifs, far better than Turtledove (also no typos). Research is on a par with George McDonald Fraser and his brilliant Flashman novels, quality of writing easily matches 'Time Travellers wife' and 'The Lovely Bones'.

operation downfall, 30 Nov 2007
An alternate history novel that considers what might have happened had, when japan was about to surrender in 1945, the japanese army launched a coup, taken over the country, and carried on fighting. In a country where there's nothing much left to bomb, but with a fanatical populace and army prepared to die to defend their shores, america [britain and other allies are still fighting in south east asia, so don't worry, they do get mentioned] has to invade. Facing suicide bombers and human shields a very bloody conflict ensues.

The home front is in turmoil as people weary of war, but one secret agent landed in japan might just be able to perform above and beyond the call of duty.

a story complete in one volume, and running to 432 pages, this follows the usual format for alternate history novels, with characters both real and created by the writer. All of whom are quite good, and generally fit in with the style of the times. also as usual for this kind of book the broad sweeping canvas means you don't see some events firsthand such as the initial landings. but it's very effective to see what the second wave of troops experience as they go ashore.

And this is very readable stuff. if you like this kind of thing, you shouldn't go wrong with this book

Crossfire, 02 Jul 2007
Forget all the pseudo-intellectual guff aimed at Japanese novels. This is a fantastically well written novel that is pretty much along the lines of a Japanese version of the "X-Files".

I won't give the plot away, but to me it also conjures up the thought that it would have made a great anime, or a manga. I know it's been filmed, but an anime or manga would suit it better.

Brilliant. Ms Miyabe is a star!

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

There is not much to this book, but what there is is excellent! A gem!, 07 Sep 2008
A mere 132 pages; a simple story without embellishment - of a Westerner trapped in a Japanese corporation - but the impact is huge. Like a modern horror story, the protagonist slips unwittingly and unstoppably into a hell-like existence.

The force of the book lies in the story being so lifelike that is could almost be true, perhaps is true! Born from the authors own experiences in Japan, it is realistic and never exaggerated.

Before the bubble burst, Japan really did rule the economic world, with an arrogance to match. But behind that success are methods and structures and expectations steeped in a culture and mindset which is totally alien and incomprehensible to outsiders. Codes of conduct which are unspoken, rigid hierarchies which are not made explicit. A mine-field of 'Dos' and Don'ts.'

There are few more accurate, more illuminating or more succinct introductions to life in Japanese business.

And none which are as entertaining!

A little gem of a book, 15 May 2006
Once started (for me at 11.00pm!) this book is unputdownable! It was well after midnight before I was able to tear myself away from this interesting, quirky and unusual story. Often funny, it is the first book to make me laugh out loud for a long time. The cynical and drole sense of humour of the authress is not to be taken seriously, but she imbues her book with a humanity and attention to detail which is impressive and certainly makes up for the rather bleak outlook.
As a fan of Japan and its culture I found this insight into it's corporate life amusingly toungue-in-cheek and yet was not completely swayed by it's one sidededness.
A relatively short novella, Fear and Trembling could be finished easily in a few hours, but hours well spent gripped in a highly entertaining attack on the constricted nature of Japanese heirarchy.

Disturbing, 19 Mar 2006
I have never been to Japan and have no idea whether Amélie Nothomb’s picture of Japanese corporate society is correct - but if it is, it is a horrifying one: sadistically hierarchical, where no one can expect any pleasure, can hope only to avoid shame, and where the expectation for women in particular is a life of such artificiality and submission that their only escape could be into a pleasure-less and loveless marriage with some man who is nearly as stunted as she is. A western woman, hoping to work in such an environment for which nothing has prepared her, is likely to be driven mad, to lose all confidence in herself and eventually even to see in her own degradation some kind of liberation: she can hardly fall any lower. She should have been sacked for incompetence, but it is almost impossible for a corporation to sack an employee. As for her, however humiliated she is, she won’t quit herself before her contract was up because she, too, has assumed that quitting is a matter of shame rather than of an assertion of her dignity. (True, she also admits that she already had a martyr-complex.) That, at any rate, is what happens to the Belgian-educated Amélie in this story. The blurbs on the back describe the book as ‘funny’ and ‘hilarious’: I find it hard to enjoy the humour. It is one thing to find Japanese culture alien to that of the west, another to subject it to an attack so savage and unremitting that I think it comes close to racism. Lest we think that Nothomb is merely describing the situation in one particular company from which we should not draw general conclusions about the country as a whole, she drives her point home by saying that Japan was simply ‘an extension of The Company’. That the book has achieved international best-seller status must dismay even those Japanese (and I know some) who are critical of their conformist society.

I have given this book a four star rating for its literary quality. Were the rating to reflect how it made me feel - that is, uneasy and indeed repelled - it would be considerably lower.

Cynicly funny, 19 Dec 2005
Amélie Nothomb's father being a diplomat, she is born in Japan, and moved very young to China and other contries. This gives her a wise but cynic perception of the world in which I agree.
'Fear and Trembling' ( the book is much better than the movie) is a story of a young woman emplyed in a Japanese firm underlining the cultural contrast in a humoristic way.
This maybe the most 'healthy' minded story she has written.

Chrysanthemum and sword, 20 Feb 2005
Events described in this book should be partly true and partly exaggerated. I will not talk about this point as it will be endless argument.

What I'm really concerned is that the author tries to conceptualise Japanese corporate culture as a whole, ONLY through the experience she'd had in one year in one company. It then adds to "chrysanthemum and sword" type explation of Japanese culture (e.g. frequent reference to WW2 and suicidal tendencies), through emphasising the difference from Western practice, and thus further contributing to alienism.

As a result readers may assume that such extraordinary relationships are found elsewhere in Japanese corporations. But I do believe such working environment, especially people like Fubuki, were, if any, really really exceptional. Funny, extraordinary thus interesting-to-read aspects are always highlited and then published as if it is the collective voice.

Of course, "Japanese-specific" practices will do exist. But at least I think there are remarkable changes as well. I'm afraid that this book, as a bestseller, contributes to the simplistic understanding of how Japanese corporate culture is mad.

An enjoyable scenario about the invasion of Japan, 07 Nov 2008
Robert Conroy premises his most recent alternate history novel, about an American invasion of Japan during World War II, on the success of a real-life group of hard-core militarists who attempted to thwart Japan's surrender in the Second World War. With the emperor now in custody and the impending surrender suddenly called off, American forces now have little option but to carry out Operation Downfall, the invasion of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. As is typical of many alternate history novels, Conroy's narrative unfolds through the experiences of a mixture of historical and devised characters, and it is through their eyes that we witness the consequences of the prolonged scenario.

Conroy's scenario benefits from a degree of verisimilitude lacking from the similarly premised but much inferior novel Macarthur's War: A Novel of the Invasion of Japan. His writing is also much improved from his imaginatively-plotted but poorly characterized first novel 1901, as his characters and their attitudes seem more plausible for their historical setting than they did in his earlier work. While not as evocative as David Westheimer's classic Lighter Than a Feather, it is nonetheless an enjoyable novel of the genre, one that entertains its readers with an engaging picture of "what might have been."

Great "what if" book, 11 Mar 2008
This is the third novel by this author that I have read this is without a doubt the best.
I enjoy these alternative history stories this one does not let you down an excellent book well researched and well written

One of the best, 23 Feb 2008
A well researched and well crafted account of what happens when Japan fails to surrender following the dropping of the atom bombs. A page turner and apart from being a "what if" as accurate as you could hope. It all hangs together and the author hasn't had to delve into fantasy. One of the best what ifs, far better than Turtledove (also no typos). Research is on a par with George McDonald Fraser and his brilliant Flashman novels, quality of writing easily matches 'Time Travellers wife' and 'The Lovely Bones'.

operation downfall, 30 Nov 2007
An alternate history novel that considers what might have happened had, when japan was about to surrender in 1945, the japanese army launched a coup, taken over the country, and carried on fighting. In a country where there's nothing much left to bomb, but with a fanatical populace and army prepared to die to defend their shores, america [britain and other allies are still fighting in south east asia, so don't worry, they do get mentioned] has to invade. Facing suicide bombers and human shields a very bloody conflict ensues.

The home front is in turmoil as people weary of war, but one secret agent landed in japan might just be able to perform above and beyond the call of duty.

a story complete in one volume, and running to 432 pages, this follows the usual format for alternate history novels, with characters both real and created by the writer. All of whom are quite good, and generally fit in with the style of the times. also as usual for this kind of book the broad sweeping canvas means you don't see some events firsthand such as the initial landings. but it's very effective to see what the second wave of troops experience as they go ashore.

And this is very readable stuff. if you like this kind of thing, you shouldn't go wrong with this book

Crossfire, 02 Jul 2007
Forget all the pseudo-intellectual guff aimed at Japanese novels. This is a fantastically well written novel that is pretty much along the lines of a Japanese version of the "X-Files".

I won't give the plot away, but to me it also conjures up the thought that it would have made a great anime, or a manga. I know it's been filmed, but an anime or manga would suit it better.

Brilliant. Ms Miyabe is a star!

A good tale of sci fi,fantasy and of course vampires!, 19 Nov 2008
Vampires are one of my meny fandoms.

Sure there are meny bad takes on them and the newer versions are going downhill of those who live in night. However this is not one of those bad storys it is a great little vampire story with soild and intresting people.

However this book is not without its flaws. The fact that somethings seem forced and storywise maybe too un awnsered. Still the soild cast and a decent but maybe overused in fiction plot does make for a good read.

Give it ago I myself will read the next volumes in this clever little series.

----Alex Gradwell/Venomtheevil----

Couldn't think of a witty title, 09 Aug 2008
Excellent. I can't say enough about this volume.

I have not read a novel since way back when I was at school, [sad, but true] but it was an honest joy that this book was what I came back to.

It follows the story of the 1st movie, but I really don't remember that old 80's anime-flick being nearly as good as the story portrayed here.

Many twists and turns, amazing feats by D [from scaring horses still, battling the Nobility, and dying], and overall just a very entertaining read.

The one small gripe I have would be the ending. The book leaves things very ambigious and open [undoubtebly on purpose]

A hunter of unbelievable skill, 24 Jan 2008

Imagine a postapocalyptic wasteland, where technology is slowly sliding into a new medieval age... and vampire Nobles have ruled for ten thousand years.

Hideyuki Kikuchi left the rules of vampire novels behind when he crafted "Vampire Hunter D," mingling dark science fiction with ancient mythical creatures -- werewolves, vampires, and so on. Though his style is rather distant, the result is sort of a futuristic western by way of Bram Stoker.

Farmgirl Doris Lang stops a sword-carrying youth on a cyborg horse, and finds that he is a Vampire Hunter. Good thing, because Doris has been bitten by the vampire Magnus Lee, and needs this young man -- who calls himself "D" -- to save her and her brother from the vampire. Haughty vampire ladies, werewolves and feuding villagers all visit Doris' farm -- only to be repulsed by D.

But to deal with Lee, D must venture into a disgusting, labyrinthine castle, dealing with demonic serpent-women, lethal mutants, and the Count himself. Outside, Lee's servants and daughter Larmica grapple with various villagers, intending to capture or kill Doris -- but none of them realize what D, a dhampir, is hiding in his distant past...

The world Kikichi concocts is a pretty fascinating one -- it's over ten thousand years in the future, in the waning days of a vampire empire that ran the whole planet, and Earth is overrun with vampires, werewolves, fairies, mutants and cyborgs. He's invented a gloriously rough, wild kind of world, sort of a postapocalyptic Wild West.

However, his writing is anything but -- detailed, atmospheric, and full of creepy scenes (including D's, uh, left hand reviving him when he's "killed"). If there's an overhanging problem, it's that he has to infodump his audience at times, so they know about stuff like Gargantua grapes.

Kikuchi relies on a formal, distant style reminiscent of 19th-century novels, though more spare and stripped down. But sometimes he bursts into outright pulpy prose ("The people saw the crimson glean of his eyes in the darkness -- the eyes of a vampire!"). And he spins up some pretty intense suspense about D's true nature, and his hidden identity.

D is a rather elusive, haunted character -- Kikuchi rarely shows us what he thinks or feels, but gradually hints at his inner struggles. And he's backed by a pretty solid cast of characters -- feisty Doris, the despicable rich boy Greco, haughty vampiress Larmica, and the downright creepy mutant Rei-Ginsu, who is able to warp space inside his body.

While it has a few rough spots, "Vampire Hunter D" is a haunting, futuristic tale of vampires and the mysterious Hunter who pursues them. An excellent beginning to the series.

brilliant blend of genres, 14 Feb 2007
This is possibly one of my favourite books ever. Its a great start to a series with lots of new ideas involved based around the myth of the vampire. Here vampires were the ones to reach the pinnacle of technology and many of the nightmare creatures in these books were genetically engineered for their purposes. This book is set after the fall of the vampires, in a world turned into a living nightmare for humans in which the creatures the vampires created rule the night. The genre is a curious mix between western, sci-fi, fantasy and horror. This might sound unappealing but Hideyuki pulls it off very well. The novel itself is very intelligently written, with wonderful imagery, and one cannot doubt the attractiveness of D (this is a joke in regards to the myriad ways that D is described as beautiful - try and count them).

This story is based around Doris a young woman who was bitten by one of the elusive elite, the vampire Magnus Lee. D is portrayed as a mysterious and often emotionless young looking man, whom effortlessly deals with everything that is placed in his path. The other characters too are well drawn and interesting. There are many differences between the book and the film, for example the role of the "smaller" villains(i.e. Rei).

To top it all off Yoshitaka amano is the illustrator, and this alone makes the novel worth reading. All in all a fantastic read and the best one i've read so far in the series. (The second best one is book 3 :) )

The Dhampir adventures., 24 Oct 2006
A nice Japanese fantasy and horror novel .filled with dark and colorful imagination . set in a future , where the existence of vampires and mutants, is a fact of life .

The story starts with a vampire bitten farm owner, doris , who hires a vampire hunter , to rid her of the curse of becoming one of the undead. This hunter is a dhampir , half man half vampire , who goes by the name D. after that , we meet the vampire who bit doris , a mutant gang for hire and some suspicious villagers . interwined of course with a satisfying dose of duels, horror, and fantasy.

Hideyuki kikuchi's imagination is impressive .the book is filled with brilliant ideas , that an aspiring horror and fantasy writer , could use to write several books .
weather controlling machines, and the vampires using genetic engineering, to wipe off the memory of the cross's effect on vampires, from the human brain, were brilliant .you don't feel like you're reading a novel from 1983 .

it still lacks depth . it's expected though . this is the first volume in a series of seventeen .

eight yoshitaka amano's - character designer of the vampire hunter d films - illustration are included in this book. My favorite is the one in page 207 .the hand.

good for teenagers and anime fans.

Murakami cool, in diary form!, 18 Sep 2008
This is a sweet little diary full of quotes, book covers and associated Murakami paraphernalia; liberally sprinkled with book histories, publishing dates and Japanese holidays.

It's very beautiful, and even comes in a dust jacket, and despite all there is to be enjoyed it still feels quite minimalist; the black and white and red styling complimenting the character of Murakami's novels perfectly.

From a bibliophile's point of view, it is certainly a valued item to keep alongside Murakami's wonderful novels. The only problem i can see is exactly why you would want to write in it at all!

Very good, 07 Sep 2008
Firstly the price on Amazon is really good (£9.99 in stores) and secondly its a beautiful diary as odd and as surreal as Murakami Diary ought to be. Its full off quotes, pictures and facts about the books.However, some of the days are that full after a quote its hard to fit any writing in, plus it comes in a dust cover which most people like but i find really annoying, because underneath its plain white and looks dull. But over all its a unique diary and a must have for Murakami Fans! P.S If there was a 4.5 option I would have given it that!!!

Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyable, 03 Oct 2008
This is a great story, especially for anyone with an interest in Japanese history and Samurai culture. I had previously read and enjoyed Shogun, but this is a different style of book, and for me more enjoyable because of it. Other reviewers will describe the book in more detail - but for anyone that reads either of these books and wants to learn more of the time in question, I would recommend Stephen Turnbull's short but informative War in Japan 1467-1615 (Essential Histories).

star buy! exallent story, well made book., 08 Feb 2008
even though im only 13, i still realy enjoyed reading this book even though it is very long and was heavy to carry to school each day! but trust me, it is one of the best books i have ever read because you carn't put it down and it is totaly differnt to any western book (e.g structure and ending)because it goes into so much depth and understanding of the main character (Musashi)and isn't just focused on making money, so i would only advise you to read this book if you are into japan and japanesse culture.

Excellent read!!, 06 Dec 2007
I think Musashi is an excellent read and the history period it depicts is really interesting as well, the end of the book is not what one would expect from a western book but really enjoyed it.

Catch up on sleep 1st - you won't want to put it down!, 16 Jan 2006
I can add little to the other reviews other than to confirm that this is an excelent book. Those with an interest in fuedal Japan will be drawn to it, whilst those who shun it because of this, it's length or price are missing a gem. Despite it's length it is too short by half. You'll find yourself immersed in the world of Musashi and staying up late to read just a little more.

The characters are brought to life and are without the idolisation that might have been the case for such an historic figure in Japanese culture. It is so much more than a martial arts inspired book that it has a much broader appeal that it will ever realise. Charting the life, fortunes and falures of Musashi and those close to him it is a love story, action thriller and inspirational text all rolled into one.

Simply put this is the one of the best books I've read and would stand head and shouders above mainstream 'bestsllers'. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone.

Fantastic, 16 Feb 2004
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan then you probably already own it. Buy this and the DVD trilogy (Musashi, Duel at Ganryu, Duel at Ichi??) as the book fills in those moments of thought and emotion from the main characters which is difficult to portray in the films, and the films bring the characters to life.

Truly a unique way to break into Japanese literature, 18 Jul 2006
Having spent several years studying Japanese without reading a single piece of literature, I bought this book and have found it very helpful. The size and layout of the book is attractive, with the short biographies of the authors a useful addition. The best feature is the way that all the vocabulary and kanji readings are given on the same page as the text, meaning you don't have to consult a dictionary or leaf through pages as you go. I've also listened to the sound files on the internet, which really add another dimension to the book. My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have had more variety in the stories selected, including some less Gothic in style, but this volume is well worth having. If only there were more books like this to simplify the process of reading Japanese.

What more could you want?, 25 Aug 2004
Well, if you do inist you want to begin to read Japanese stories, why not start with this volume where everything is there for you.
The text is full of Kanji.
The stories selected need little background, but there is a set uup for each section and the whole thing in English.
There is some indication of the difficulty.
The stories are all apparently online as read text, though I haven't availed myself of this yet, it should make a more challenging point. Listen for reinforcement, or listen and read or listen alone and try to write it out. Should be good.
The stories are authentic and attractive.
You have all of the words listed that you need in phonetic characters and translated, so you can read without having a wide vocabulary.
Perhaps the trouble is to be discipllined enough to make sure you study/retain what you read. But it certainly seems a good method of beginning to read Japanese for language learners.

Simply amazing!, 02 Aug 2004
This book is great; The paper is great, the layout is great, the overall look is great, just from the feel and a quick look over the book you feel it should cost twice as much ^^. The content is awesome, Side-by-side Japanese and English with a dictionary underneath. You will need to understand a little Japanese to get the most out of the Japanese versions but the stories are interesting and rewarding even if you just read the translations. The illustrations and commentry complete this package, the only bad thing I can say is "Why aren't there any more books like this!"

There is not much to this book, but what there is is excellent! A gem!, 07 Sep 2008
A mere 132 pages; a simple story without embellishment - of a Westerner trapped in a Japanese corporation - but the impact is huge. Like a modern horror story, the protagonist slips unwittingly and unstoppably into a hell-like existence.

The force of the book lies in the story being so lifelike that is could almost be true, perhaps is true! Born from the authors own experiences in Japan, it is realistic and never exaggerated.

Before the bubble burst, Japan really did rule the economic world, with an arrogance to match. But behind that success are methods and structures and expectations steeped in a culture and mindset which is totally alien and incomprehensible to outsiders. Codes of conduct which are unspoken, rigid hierarchies which are not made explicit. A mine-field of 'Dos' and Don'ts.'

There are few more accurate, more illuminating or more succinct introductions to life in Japanese business.

And none which are as entertaining!

A little gem of a book, 15 May 2006
Once started (for me at 11.00pm!) this book is unputdownable! It was well after midnight before I was able to tear myself away from this interesting, quirky and unusual story. Often funny, it is the first book to make me laugh out loud for a long time. The cynical and drole sense of humour of the authress is not to be taken seriously, but she imbues her book with a humanity and attention to detail which is impressive and certainly makes up for the rather bleak outlook.
As a fan of Japan and its culture I found this insight into it's corporate life amusingly toungue-in-cheek and yet was not completely swayed by it's one sidededness.
A relatively short novella, Fear and Trembling could be finished easily in a few hours, but hours well spent gripped in a highly entertaining attack on the constricted nature of Japanese heirarchy.

Disturbing, 19 Mar 2006
I have never been to Japan and have no idea whether Amélie Nothomb’s picture of Japanese corporate society is correct - but if it is, it is a horrifying one: sadistically hierarchical, where no one can expect any pleasure, can hope only to avoid shame, and where the expectation for women in particular is a life of such artificiality and submission that their only escape could be into a pleasure-less and loveless marriage with some man who is nearly as stunted as she is. A western woman, hoping to work in such an environment for which nothing has prepared her, is likely to be driven mad, to lose all confidence in herself and eventually even to see in her own degradation some kind of liberation: she can hardly fall any lower. She should have been sacked for incompetence, but it is almost impossible for a corporation to sack an employee. As for her, however humiliated she is, she won’t quit herself before her contract was up because she, too, has assumed that quitting is a matter of shame rather than of an assertion of her dignity. (True, she also admits that she already had a martyr-complex.) That, at any rate, is what happens to the Belgian-educated Amélie in this story. The blurbs on the back describe the book as ‘funny’ and ‘hilarious’: I find it hard to enjoy the humour. It is one thing to find Japanese culture alien to that of the west, another to subject it to an attack so savage and unremitting that I think it comes close to racism. Lest we think that Nothomb is merely describing the situation in one particular company from which we should not draw general conclusions about the country as a whole, she drives her point home by saying that Japan was simply ‘an extension of The Company’. That the book has achieved international best-seller status must dismay even those Japanese (and I know some) who are critical of their conformist society.

I have given this book a four star rating for its literary quality. Were the rating to reflect how it made me feel - that is, uneasy and indeed repelled - it would be considerably lower.

Cynicly funny, 19 Dec 2005
Amélie Nothomb's father being a diplomat, she is born in Japan, and moved very young to China and other contries. This gives her a wise but cynic perception of the world in which I agree.
'Fear and Trembling' ( the book is much better than the movie) is a story of a young woman emplyed in a Japanese firm underlining the cultural contrast in a humoristic way.
This maybe the most 'healthy' minded story she has written.

Chrysanthemum and sword, 20 Feb 2005
Events described in this book should be partly true and partly exaggerated. I will not talk about this point as it will be endless argument.

What I'm really concerned is that the author tries to conceptualise Japanese corporate culture as a whole, ONLY through the experience she'd had in one year in one company. It then adds to "chrysanthemum and sword" type explation of Japanese culture (e.g. frequent reference to WW2 and suicidal tendencies), through emphasising the difference from Western practice, and thus further contributing to alienism.

As a result readers may assume that such extraordinary relationships are found elsewhere in Japanese corporations. But I do believe such working environment, especially people like Fubuki, were, if any, really really exceptional. Funny, extraordinary thus interesting-to-read aspects are always highlited and then published as if it is the collective voice.

Of course, "Japanese-specific" practices will do exist. But at least I think there are remarkable changes as well. I'm afraid that this book, as a bestseller, contributes to the simplistic understanding of how Japanese corporate culture is mad.

An enjoyable scenario about the invasion of Japan, 07 Nov 2008