Love in Translation

by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

Stuck. That's how 33-year-old aspiring singer Celeste Duncan feels, with her deadbeat boyfriend and static career. But then Celeste receives a puzzling phone call and a box full of mysterious family heirlooms which just might be the first real clue to the identity of the father she never knew. Impulsively, Celeste flies to Japan to search for a long-lost relative who could be able to explain. She stumbles head first into a weird, wonderful world where nothing is quite as it seems—a land with an inexplicable fascination with foreigners, karaoke boxes, and unbearably perky TV stars.

With little knowledge of Japanese, Celeste finds a friend in her English-speaking homestay brother, Takuya, and comes to depend on him for all variety of translation, travel and investigatory needs. As they cross the country following a trail after Celeste's family, she discovers she's developing "more-than-sisterly" feelings for him. But with a nosy homestay mom scheming to reunite Takuya with his old girlfriend, and her search growing dimmer, Celeste begins to wonder whether she's made a terrible mistake by coming to Japan. Can Celeste find her true self in this strange land, and discover that love can transcend culture?

Genres: Japan, Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Interracial Romance, Asian Literature

260 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2009

Reviews

[i. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fun and at the same time interesting read for these times. I loved that the author included lots of Japanese words and expressions. If you are a fan of Japanese culture and want to read a story that takes place in modern Japan which includes references to traditional customs, food, karaoke and love, this book is for you.

You cannot miss this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf_pt... in which Wendy Nelson sings the beautiful song that appears in the book.

www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about the search for a family, which also happens to be chock full of fascinating information about Japanese culture. The romance though was only ho-hum, a nice slow burn to start but then it jumped a little to quickly.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very lighthearted but wonderfully crafted story. It’s like a fairytale and yet it happens so often in life that we find our treasure when we fall down. She was an orphan always longing for a family and belonging and on this crazy quirky mission to go looking for a lost aunt in Japan she doesn’t just find her and she finds so much more!! I lived in Japan for two decades and I’m a translator and everything in the story rang true for me but I thought she did a really wonderful job of bringing in Japanese culture especially Tokyo. It was a great book. Like a little jewel.

Someone else above shared the link to the author singing the song that was highlighted in this book and I just wanted to share it here https://youtu.be/Wf_ptg9e4-k

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a fun and light-hearted read for downtime, and it thoroughly interested me. Love In Translation is about a thirty-something American woman who, after getting a strange phone call, sets out to find her roots and possibly her family- in Japan, of all places.

Celeste was a funny, utterly relatable character. Her quest for love and family is something I think everyone can relate to (orphan or no), and the contrast between her and the Japanese was so well done. To be honest, a lot of it had me laughing too, and thinking 'now that's probably what I would have done'. Especially with our mutual love and appreciation for pastries.

I won't spoil it, but despite maybe one or two cliches, there were a couple of twists I didn't see coming and it tied up in a way I had not expected. It also gives a very vivid and colorful description of life in Japan as a gaijin, or foreigner, which I found absolutely fascinating.

Four stars for a fun, unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Cristiann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough coming of age story about a thirty something woman who flies to Japan in hopes of trying get in touch with an old relative and finally finds out who her biological father is … while also finding new friendships and romance along the way. I liked the book for what it was (it’s basically another “woman ~finds herself in a foreign country” story) but at the same time I was disappointed by the major lack of actual romance that we were promised. Judging by the book’s summary, I was expecting more heat and flirting between the heroine and her Japanese love interest, but all we got were a few sweet/wholesome moments and only one kiss. Very underwhelming and disappointing, especially since there aren’t that many interracial romance books featuring an Asian man, so I had high hopes for this one … but oh well. The story is slightly slow and a little bit boring at times, but for the most part it was still a tender/light hearted story about finding your roots … also, it has a cute happy ending, so that was very nice too. All in all, not bad but it could have been better.

[Amy Brown (amylikestoreadalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! I loved the story, didn't always love the writing. Celeste Duncan is a lonely Californian who grew up in foster care. She inherits a mysterious box of Japanese items from an aunt that she lost touch with as a child. She finds clues in the documents and photos that may lead her to find out who her father is. She heads to Japan and lands at a "homestay" home with a Japanese family. She takes Japanese lessons and meets some special friends as she tried to find the sister of the long lost aunt. It was super interesting reading what life is like for foreigners in Japan. I love learning about people's lives in foreign countries. Celeste, while having a hard life growing up, sees her luck changing in Japan. Some of the events were hard to believe, but still a fun read! I will read more from this author, but the writing style was just OK for me.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, heart-warming story about a woman on a journey of self-discovery in Japan. The romance is sweet, with kisses and sex but with no detailed descriptions. The secondary characters felt like their own people with their own little quirks and dynamic personalities. I enjoyed reading this one and would recommend to anyone who likes romance, stories about Japan, and families.

[Karen Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlikable characters, really has a negative tone, inconsistent writing. The cover is bad; her shoulder is too sloped lol. Nicest thing I can say is there's a lot of typical or well known snippets of Japan.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly speaking, I could not remember when was the last time I had read a women's fiction and felt so madly in love with it. Yes, that was how I felt when reading Love in Translation by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, a new-to-me author but has now joined the rank of my favourite authors.

33-year-old Celeste Duncan feels her life is a blah. Her mother passed away when she was younger, and she did not know who her father was. She does not feel motivated about her editor career, and she feels her relationship with her boyfriend is bland and lacks all the sparks.

So one day when she receives a phone call and a box that fills with mysterious family heirlooms, she is excited and intrigued at the same time. She thinks she might be able to find an answer to the identity of her father after all, but then she has to leave everything as she has and leave San Jose for Japan, for she has to search for a long-lost relative who could explain what contains inside that box. However, there is a problem as Celeste doesn't understand Japanese, and then of course there is the long distance and the difference of the cultures but she has decided to take the plunge since she so badly wanted to know more about her father.

During her stay in Japan, she met Takuya, her homestay "brother" who is able to converse in English, and a "teacher" whom has later became her good friend. With their help, Celeste is able to trace her family roots and learn about the Japanese culture but not without some mistakes and embarrassment along the way.

First of all, I loved the plot and setting of this story as I like reading about characters finding oneself through certain circumstances and how the journey has made them grown and made them a different person. I find Celeste's persistance in searching for her biological father and her enthusiasm in learning Japanese to be inspiring, and most of all I admire her courage.

However that is not all in Love in Translation, I also get to learn more about the Japanese culture (which I find it wonderful without having to search for other non-fictions on that), and that it also revolves around family, friendship and romance.

Another thing is I absolutely loved the characterization and reading Celeste's exchange with Takuya, Mrs Kubota (Takuya's mother) and her good friend, Mariko is a great delight because they are so much fun to read. I giggled a few times when reading the book and my husband could never understand how a book would do that to me.

I have a lot more good things to say about this book but I am kind of at a loss and don't know what to say anymore. Have you ever experienced this kind of feeling when after you have read a good book you just don't know where to start (or how you should say it so you could do justice to the book)? I am experiencing that right now. I guess I should end this post and just immerse myself into that wonderful memory of reading this book again.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put Love in Translation down--except when I found myself laughing out loud so much that my family started giving me strange looks.

The plot revolves around Californian Celeste Duncan and her search for her last remaining family members--in Japan of all places--and clues as to the identity of her father. Celeste has an aunt by marriage who was Japanese, but hasn't seen her since she was still in grade school. When she receives a call to inform her that this aunt has passed away, Celeste embarks on a journey to bring her aunt's ashes back to Japan. Rather than just taking a few weeks off for vacation, Celeste leaves her lackluster boyfriend in San Jose and transfers her job to Tokyo, living in a cheap backpacker hostel. Before long, she finds herself unemployed and unable to pay for her modest lodgings. Her search for her aunt's sister hits some roadblocks, but along the way she falls for a Japanese guy who is involved with two women. Through all of it, Celeste strives to succeed, if only to prove her ex-boyfriend back in California wrong.

While reading Love in Translation, I felt like I was back in Japan, eating and smelling all the delicious food and wading through a world of Hello Kitty that exists more for adults than kids. Tokunaga's humorous writing keeps the reader engaged from the early pages until the end of the book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading, Love in Translation, right after I had finished, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. It seemed like an appropriate segue since in the previous book I learned so much about Japanese families and their culture. The author, Wendy Tokunaga, sent me a copy to read. Not really knowing what to expect – I did do my research though on the book – I found I truly enjoyed the storyline, the characters, particularly Celeste’s journey, the mystery surrounding the search for her Aunt’s sister, and the possibility of finding the identity of her father.
How scary it would be to take off for unfamiliar parts in pursuit of one’s heritage but I thought Celeste grabbed the bull by the horns. She was eager to fit in and persevere what obstacles came her way. There were some funny incidents for Celeste in addition to moments which brought me to tears.
I would recommend this heartwarming story to readers who enjoy books that deal with relationships, cultures, and ultimately – finding yourself. Love in Translation should be a novel book clubs on the whole would embrace because of the discussions it would bring about.
Thank you to Wendy Tokunaga for sharing her wonderful story with me! I’ll be anxiously awaiting her next creation!

[Edoftheworld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never liked it when the heroine travels to a completely new country where she tries to adjust to the way of life there. But because the country this heroine travels to is Japan, and that Nippon wa daisuki!!! , I kinda enjoyed this book. Hehe. It is interesting to see how gaijins (foreigners) are looked upon in Japan.

Somehow, Celeste grows onto me. At the beginning, she was a weak character but slowly she does grow up a little. It is tenderly sweet to see her and Takuya interacting with one another. The smiles, the laughter, the eyes. Haha! Never thought I would say this but Takuya is refreshing male after me gourging on so many alpha males.

I love Japan and that's why I decided to try this book. It has all the elements needed to be a heartwarming story but the story sometimes seem a little to unreal (a treasure box? Come on...) But overall, I like how Celeste has found where she has truly belonged. Which is what the moral of the story is: One should not be afraid to step out of one's comfort zone. Who knows, maybe love will be just round the corner.

[Grins]

Ed

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celeste is an American 30-something at somewhat of a crossroads in life, determined to find her place in the world. At exactly the moment when she needs it, a package arrives from a long lost relative that takes her from America to Tokyo to discover the Japanese roots she didn't know she had.

Little does Celeste know this journey is also about finding the life she wants and the love she needs. I felt she was a wonderfully drawn character, and you definitely root for her, even if at times you want to give her a little nudge. Celeste's journey is full of mystery, family-tree sleuthing, and a lot of heart. I loved Tokunaga's descriptions of Japan and the incredible people Celeste meets. I knew only a little about the modern culture of Tokyo but was swept away with Celeste as she discovered life and love there. Recommended.

[Leya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of those rare books (lately) that I was instantly hooked from page one. I think it was a combination of the way it was written, the story itself and these amazing characters.

Celeste is on a journey to find herself, and maybe the possibility to find a long lost family member. Along the way she meets wonderful people: Mrs Kubota, her housemother, her want and her need to learn English, her pride in her son, the shame of her husband's hobby, and her fascination with a television show that play tricks on visitors to their country; Mariko, her want to help Celeste with the Japanese language but also to find her family, she's also going through a hard time her sister is fatally ill; Takuya, is maybe the one person she can open up to, he's supports her emotionally while he deals with his own problems, he needs to break away from his mothers scheming.

4.5/5

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

A family member recommended I pick this up for a quick but cute read. It was a quick read and though I was excited to find something pertaining to life in Japan, it was disappointingly flat and boring.

As an American living in Japan myself, I found the references no more insightful than a Wikipedia article. I expected more of a personal glimpse but was left only with a brief and dull taste of what I know is a richly beautiful and interesting culture.

Tokunaga's writing style didn't jump out at me, nor did her characters strike me as fascinating or memorable. Here's Celeste, here's her problems, all seeming bland and one-dimensional. I'm terribly disappointed that I wasted my time in something I could not invest in.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Some things the author got entirely right--like how annoying Japanese television can be. Reading about Celeste's bumbling cultural mistakes were like a trip down memory lane-- every single foreigner in Japan can probably relate to the mortifying experience of wearing the toilet slippers into the living room. I also liked how Celeste bonded with her home stay mother--even though the mother was clearly an oddball (but quite endearing).

My only complaint is that somehow I felt as if the author was in something of a time-warp--the book was written only a couple of years ago, but I felt that the way she described some aspects of Japanese culture reflected the Japan of the 1990s more than the Japan of today.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy, and fun read. It is definitely the type of book that I would grab for a weekend trip. I really liked the plot, which was well developed. I also liked that Celeste was so natural and relatable.

There were some plot holes and the way that some of the relationships between characters was represented seemed underdeveloped and not well written. I would have liked to see more of an in depth look at the progression of feelings between Celeste and Takuya, mostly because it seemed that Takuya went from iceberg cold to raging inferno in the way he thought about and related to Celeste. I would also have liked to see more of a conclusion between Celeste and her new Japanese family.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book, up until a certain point (I won't spoil it for others). Then, after that certain point, the book just seemed to speed up, with everything happening at once, and no time for us to process all of it. The content of the book was really well-done though, I really enjoyed hearing about Japan, and reading about Celeste and Takuya. I felt that there were certain people whom didn't need to be talked about, which sort of brought the reader away from the main storyline, which was about Celeste finding her father and returning her aunt's ashes to its rightful owner. It was an interesting read, but there were a few things that needed to be explained in a little bit of more detail.

[Patricia V. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I loved the novel, Midori by Moonlight which preceded this one, Love in Translation was even better. Ms. Tokunaga takes some of the same themes - cross-cultural romantic relationships and misunderstandings, a likeable, believable 'maiden in distress', a Japanese backdrop - and develops them much more. The descriptions of Japan and its people were vividly and objectively described, and all the characters,even the lesser ones, were complex and well-developed. Yet, the writing style appears deceptively simple, as only a skilled writer can make it appear. Wendy Nelson Tokunaga is on a roll!

[Pygmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good; better written than this author's other book Midori by Moonlight. Nevertheless, compared to Malena Watrous' novel "If You Follow Me" or Sara Becker's "American Fuji", there was something missing in the dialogue exchanges. Some pizazz, or that extra sprinkle of liveliness. Maybe the broken Engrish of the characters didn't sound engrishy enough...it felt like it could have been any Asian ethnicity, rather specifically Japanese. Additionally, the ending wrapped up so completely, that it started getting predictable before I hit the last page. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste, a young woman determined to find her place in life (and the world), is a wonderfully drawn character. Her journey to discover her roots takes her from San Jose to Japan and treats us to a wonderful story filled with a bit of mystery, a bit of family-tree sleuthing, and a great deal of heart.

Wendy Tokunaga’s descriptions of Japanese culture are vivid and enormously enjoyable. I was swept away and embraced by a culture that, before reading this book, I knew very little about.

Twists and surprises abound, as does humor and tenderness. LOVE IN TRANSLATION was a joy to read.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and enjoyable book. Celeste Duncan is an compelling and likable character. Her going to Japan was a great adventure and I felt like I was a part of it. I was transported to Japan every time I opened the book. I loved the little Japanese words and factoids. There were plenty of funny moments with the culture differences and language barriers. I don't recall anything I didn't like about the book. A very pleasant character-driven story that transports you to another country. It's a mini vacation without having to pay for overpriced airplane tickets and a hotel room.

[Malena Watrous · Rating 5 out of 5]

My disclaimer (for the sake of reviewing integrity) is that I got to work with the author over two summers as she wrote her MFA thesis. But I say "work with" and not "teach," because Wendy was already a writer, and I was mostly a reader for her, and a lucky one at that. Celeste is a terrific character and I loved watching her discover her roots in Japan, a country that is dear to me and that Tokunaga never fails to bring to full and crazy life on the page. I am so excited to see this book out in the world and finding other fans.

[Evelien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, I could not stop reading this book, I read it in just two days.

It's a love story, of course, but it also taught me many things about Japan, things I remember from taking a Japanese course a few years ago, and things that I have already talked about with my Japanese penpal.

Oh well, and the story is kind of cute. Especially since the main character's father turns to have a huge obsession with the Beatles. Hee, I can so relate. :)

Definitely recommended!! I can't believe I already finished this book, I wish it was longer!

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book interesting because it is about an American in Japan. I love learning about other cultures. I found an American living in Japan an interesting story. I did find it entertaining and it kept me rapt as the plot unwound. It was about a young American woman who goes to Japan to find some family. And she ends up finding a lot more. I like the way the author tries to describe the Japanese culture through American eyes.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love in Translation by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga – Realistic Fiction, Adult – I randomly picked this book up and read it in half a day. Haven’t read a ‘brain candy” adult book in quite a while. It was a tood story about a woman who drops everything to move to Japan and try to solve her missing father and aunt mystery. I enjoyed reading about her experiences trying to adapt to a new culture and community.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Wendy Tokunaga's second novel, Love in Translation, American Celeste Duncan, a thirtysomething aspiring musician who was brought up in foster homes, goes to Japan, Land of Hello Kitty, to find out the truth out her father. Tokunaga strikes just the right balance between serious and screwball in this coming-of-age story for adults. Her best work yet.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of finding love and family in an unexpected place -- Japan -- where Celeste goes on a whim, after receiving a box of mysterious family heirlooms. Bit too chicklit-ish for my taste, but a quick, humorous and entertaining read with a healthy and insightful dose of life for a 30ish American woman in Japan and her immersion in Japanese culture.

[Peebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a friend of a friend who I met a couple of times when I lived in San Francisco, so I was looking forward to reading this. I was quite impressed, both with her crafting of the story, and the deft way in which she incorporated Japanese culture. I subtracted one star for the ending, which I thought was a little predictable and treacly. But all in all, an enjoying read.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A trip to Tokyo and a well written story - what more could I ask for? I loved feeling like I was in Japan while I was reading this book. The author is obviously very familiar with Tokyo and Japanese culture and this comes through in her characterization and description. A great read I recommend to anyone who loves travel mixed in with their women's fiction.