Midori by Moonlight [Paperback]

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2007

Midori Saito's dream seems about to come true. Too independent for Japanese society, Midori is a young woman who has always felt like a stranger in her native land. So when she falls in love with Kevin, an American English teacher, she readily agrees to leave home and start a new life with him in San Francisco--as his

fiancée. Kevin seems to be the perfect man. That is, until he dumps her for his blonde ex-fiancée, whom Midori never even knew existed. Midori is left on her own, with just a smattering of fractured English, not much cash, and a fiancée visa set to expire in sixty days. Unable to face the humiliation of telling her parents she's been jilted, and not wanting to give up on her "American Dream," Midori realizes she's in for quite a challenge. Her only hope is her new acquaintance (and potential landlord) Shinji, a successful San Francisco graphic artist and amateur moon gazer who fled Japan after a family tragedy. And eventually, Midori surprises even herself as she proves she will do almost anything to hang on to her dream of a new life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Aspiring Cinderella Midori Saito does not heed her mother's warning-"Running off with a foreigner will bring you nothing but trouble"-in Tokunaga's delectably frothy debut. Trouble is exactly what Midori finds after following English teacher Kevin Newbury from her native Japan to San Francisco, where Prince Charming quickly becomes Prince Alarming after a nightmarish engagement party. After Kevin dumps her to return to his ex-girlfriend, Midori doesn't want to tell her parents or return to Japan, although with little savings, no green card and only a temporary visa, she may have to. Fortunately, Kevin's old friend Shinji Nishimura, who met Midori at the ill-fated party, offers Midori refuge while she figures out her next moves-she's a talented baker-and Shinji ponders his. Tokunaga, author of the self-published No Kidding, depicts Midori's determination to create her own version of the American dream with exuberance.
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Review

Midori By Moonlight is part wasabi, part ginger, and as scrumptious as a California roll. You'll devour this book in a day! Cara Lockwood, bestselling author of Dixieland Sushi --Cara Lockwood, bestselling author of Dixieland Sushi

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (September 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312372612
• ISBN-13: 978-0312372613
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga is the author of the novels, MIDORI BY MOONLIGHT (St. Martin's, Available Now) and the forthcoming LOVE IN TRANSLATION (St. Martin's, November 2009). Japan and Japanese culture have been major influences on her life and this is reflected in much of her writing. Her novel, NO KIDDING, won the Literary/Mainstream Fiction category in Writer's Digest's Best Self-Published Book Awards in 2002. She is also the author of two children's non-fiction books, and has had short stories published in various literary journals. Wendy signed her two-book deal with St. Martin's just as she was beginning the MFA in Writing program at the University of San Francisco in 2006. Along with her MFA, she also holds a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book, Very Cool Read, September 19, 2009

By 

J. Woolston (Indiana, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midori by Moonlight (Paperback)

This book is a great tale for chick lit fans and general readers alike! Midori is a plucky heroine, trying to find herself in the USA after being jilted by her fiance. She has no green card, no money, and is afraid to tell her parents about the failed engagement. So..she must find a job (illegally), a home, and a life. Of course, her identity is most important as well. Loved everything about it!

Loved the text! Highly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Story, October 1, 2007

By 

David Satre (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Midori by Moonlight (Paperback)

A delightful story, humorous and chock full of delicious descriptions of Midori's pastries. It provides real insight to the tribulations of moving to a new culture and it's a quick read -- an ideal way to spend a weekend of reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, September 30, 2007

By 

Kimberly (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midori by Moonlight (Paperback)

Tokunaga depicts her heroine with sympathy, depth, and humor, as she makes a new life in San Francisco after being jilted by her soon-to-be husband. Midori is as charming a main character as I've seen in a while--you'll be rooting for her from page one!