Customer Reviews

Max Danger the Adv of Expat in Tokyo (Tut Books)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While some of the humor of Max Danger is showing its age, it still remains one of the most entertaining and educational books about the culture clash that faces a foreigner living in Tokyo.Max Danger's hilarious mis-adventures give readers a picture of Japan as it is today, rather than a romanticized portrait of a land that no longer exists. This book is a must for any westerner living in Japan, or planning to do so.

I thought it was hilarious and I haven't ever been to Japan! I had lived in Europe for a few months, but that's the closest I'd been. So don't think you need to live in Japan before you can appreciate it!

I will say, however, that you might want to read the sequel first. The sequel is funny, but not *as* funny as this one. Thus if you read this one first, the sequel is a bit of a letdown.

I moved to Japan for a few years back in 1991. Within the first few weeks of my trip, no less than five people told me I needed to read this book (but not until I'd lived there a few months). I did, and I loved every chapter. It's funny to the average reader, but it really resonates with anyone who's been there. To them, it's HYSTERICAL. The only other books I remember laughing out loud to were The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Catch 22. In a sense, this book is like Scott Turow's book One L -- in that it's a must-read for those embarking on the adventure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Many expat executives in Japan say to themselves, "I should write a book about all the strange stuff that I see." Then they read Max Danger by Robert Collins, and realize that book has already been written. It is very funny, and holds up surprisingly well over time. Long time expats to Japan will chuckle at the shared experiences (so true that if they didn't happen, they should have!) while others can just enjoy the fun.

Any gaijin who has lived in Japan for any length of time will absolutely adore the escapades and situations that Max Danger and his beautiful wife, Gloria, continually find themselves in. Even if you haven't personally experienced "company trouble," a golf outing in pouring rain and lightning or any of his other hilarious stories, chances are, you know someone who has. I was a gaijin for 10 years (hey, who am I kidding? I'll *always* be a gaijin!), and, for me, Max Danger, expat extrordinaire, captures all the quirks and nuances of being a foreigner in Japan in a wonderfully funny, true-to-life fashion. Just thinking about it is enough to make me smile and look forward to my next trip back home to Tokyo!

Before coming to Japan I read this book and really liked it and after 5 years in Japan, I love it. Collins portrays Japan as it is and not as it should be or maybe was. Read this book first if you have any interest in Japan as, in my opinion, it is more informative than any scholarly works.

Really amusing whether you've been to Japan or not. I've been to Japan many times in recent years. The book was written a long time ago, but Japan hasn't changed much except for the value of the yen, Tokyo is larger, and the Shinkansen goes to more places.

Don Maloney's books; IT'S NOT ALL RAW FISH, AND SON OF A RAW FISH; are similar in their humour and vintage. I bought them both on Amazon.

I think the second Max Danger book is just as funny and recommend that one too.

I first read this book in the late 1980s and just re-read it again last week and I still find it an accurate protrayal of life for the American in Japan. My parents lived there, I lived there briefly as a child, ny aunt and uncle lived there for 35 years, and I've had many friends live and work there and it's all true! If you have any familiarity with the perceived quirks of Japanese culture you will enjoy this book; just don't view it as a guide to living there because it's not meant that way.

There are very few books which I am able to read and enjoy more than once. Max Danger is one of these few.

No matter how often I read it, it sets off gales of laughter that usually leaves me with tears running down my cheeks and sore stomach muscles.

I lived in Japan for 2 years so I always enjoy other's stories about the trials of living there. Max Danger is an American business manager during the 80's. As such, I couldn't really relate to many of his adventures.

He has the luxury of a secretary to handle all the tricky aspects of work. He has the American Club to socialize with other foreigners.
He has a family, car, maid, american grocery stores etc.

I had none of that. I'm not saying that I'm jealous. Just that Max Danger's experience has very little in common with my own.

On top of that, the author's sense of humor is limited to giving people dull nicknames (Expat Max, Beautiful Gloria, Serious Hirose, etc.). There are a few gems that make good stories but those have strong hints of fiction to them.

Those looking for a humorous take on an American's stumbles through Japan would do better with Dave Barry Does Japan.