I do not like Amazon's "reviewing" system. I do not want to give this book 3 stars, as I don't think "it's okay" is remotely acceptable to describe anything. I think it's an insult to anyone who attempts to write a review. This book is much more than "okay," but the problem is it is all over the place. The author has obviously spent time in Japan and must have lived through the bubble economy. He can go into vivid detail about things that would be hard to do unless he had lived here, and vivid detail in a good way, in ways that make the story come alive.
The concept behind this story, which I will not give away, is actually ingenious. But the set-up leads us to believe it will be a different story, and even though eventually it connects in a roundabout way, it just wasn't good enough for me. Also, he vacillates (not a lot, but enough) between characters so that I do not know where my loyalty is supposed to lie. He also has vendettas against certain businesses or individuals and he seems to carry them out here, regardless of whether they move the plot along.
He seems to be on equal footing, writing from a woman's POV or a man's POV, and for that I give him kudos. I would also say he has a thing for Japanese men (I can't say I blame him), and at least in the case of the heroine's boyfriend, writes him just shy of erotically.
There is drama, violence, truth and reality in many of the things he writes, and the basis for his plot could easily happen here... in fact, may be happening as I write this... although it isn't necessarily clear to the public... which is how it is in his book.
I am being vague, because I don't want to give away the story. However, if you are interested in politics, journalism, scandals, lies, terrorism and things of this nature... this could be a good read. It should be read over a short period of time, because there are lots of people and threads to keep track of and reading it a leisurely pace is not recommended.
All that said, I would still give this a 3-star rating, and my interpretation of 3-stars is not that it is "okay" but that "it has potential, had potential, could be better, might be better" and "a rewrite might be called for". "Okay" is absolutely the wrong word and an insult.
At any rate, the author shows flashes of brilliance in the plot he crafted and I think he could have woven a tighter more compelling story. But I'd read his next book, that's for sure, especially if it were about Japan.
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover comes a novel that explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love. | Learn more
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