A mixed book, but good for Japan

• Book: Who is Mr Satoshi
• Location: Sapporo, Tokyo
• Author: Jonathan Lee

I was really looking forward to reading this book, the information on the back looked promising. However, there is a drawn-out lead-in to Foss going to Japan. The thread ambles through his pill popping (at length) and aimless amblings round streets, so the plot of the book is strung together with rather tedious interludes and it’s not really very pacey. Then ending was a bit lame, too. There were some good reflections of Japan, but having the character pick up a can of Pocari Sweat (how weird a name is that?!) on arrival is such an obvious thing for a foreigner to latch on to, everyone does it so it isn’t new or original….Tokyo and Sapporo feature. I love it that I learned that Soy Sauce is shoyu but in sushi places it is refered to by the Japanese word for purple, Murasak, how interesting is that? And in Sushi restaurants gyoku refers to eggs, but means jewel,and rice is shari which means Buddha bones, which is lovely information, learning just that made the book worth reading …And what was the outcome of Foss and his use of the stamps (if you want to know more, consult a sex therapist!)??????

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