Racist, sexist, ageist and homophobic, recent university graduate Marvin Matthews is the last person who should be teaching English in Japan. However, he accepts a position for two reasons: the job supposedly entails very little work, and he has heard that Japanese women adore foreign men. Much to his dismay, however, he soon discovers that reality differs dramatically from his preconceived notions. With none of his expectations being met, and living in a country whose culture he finds bizarre, Marvin becomes increasingly more frustrated with each passing day. As his troubles escalate, he lashes out at those around him, certain that his problems are due to the inscrutabilities of the Japanese people, as well as his fellow English speaking co-workers (whom Marvin dismisses as Japan 'apologists').
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Bridge Across the Pacific (Paperback)
Bridge Across the Pacific is an entertaining read. It revolves around Marvin, a thoroughly unpleasant young man, whose misadventures form the most humorous aspects of the book. It is funny in a toe-curlingly embarrassing way, but it is also a bit more than that as it gives us insights into the kind of damage that foolish people can do when they are so culturally blinkered and lacking in self awareness that all they can do is blunder from one catastrophe to the next. In Marvin's case, the damage is self inflicted and, as he malevolently throws banana skins into his own path, he is the only person who can't see he is going to fall on his [...]. A funny book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Sympathy for Marvin,
By
This review is from: The Bridge Across the Pacific (Paperback)
Mr. Wheeler's book introduces us to Marvin, an insensitive guy that is unable and/or unwilling to adapt to Japanese society. Although adapting to life in Japan isn't easy, Marvin seems to over-react with hostility, arrogance and simple-mindedness to common everyday situations, and we can never have sympathy for him. Mr. Wheeler succeeds in accurately portraying different types of foreigners that come to Japan. The story is based in Sapporo, which is refreshing compared to all the books and stories on Japan in English that are based in Tokyo. This is a good book, filled with dark humor and situations universal to the arriving foreigner in Japan. Looking forward to a sequel. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining,
By Miximatosis (Japan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Bridge Across the Pacific (Paperback)
The adventures of someone who should have stayed at home.
The previous reviewer's reference to ''The Office'' is quite apt, though, thankfully, Marvin never has any responsibility unlike David Brent. He does share several of Brent's traits however; crass stupidity, an inability to appreciate anyone else apart from himself and a wonderful knack of ''putting his foot in it''. In a country like Japan, where politeness and harmony are an essential part of the culture, this has hilarious results. It's a good book, which will bring a smile to the face of anyone who has experience of living in Japan. Anyone thinking of doing so should read it and beware. Recommended.
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