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Ash
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Caitlin Ober is back in Japan, teaching English in Kyushu. Some 15 years ago, as a little girl, Caitlin lived in Kyoto, but a tragic accident drove her and her family back to America. Now guilt obscures her path, just as ashfall from a nearby volcano covers Kagoshima in dust. In a garden Caitlin meets a teenage half-Japanese girl, Naomi, who may be someone Caitlin can save
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After enjoying Tomo, I wanted to see what its editor had written and I discovered this, her first novel, set in Kagoshima, a city I visited, though briefly, earlier this year. I thought it would be interesting to read a contemporary novel set there. And it was, even though, or maybe especially because, there was no discernible volcanic activity when I was there in the winter. This novel takes place in the summer of 1985 and the ash falling in Kagoshima is a constant presence.
Though I found a few ...more
Though I found a few ...more
If you are living in Japan or plan to live there it is an excellent book written with a lot of feeling. A very special book.
I really enjoyed this book. I often wince while reading books by other foreigners in Japan, but this one is spot on, plus the story is moving and lyric, but still believable.
This is a book that hit especially close to home for me in so many aspects as a foreigner living in Japan.
Compared to other books I read in this genre explanations about Japanese culture and daily life felt so naturally included into the story it really stood out to me.
Compared to other books I read in this genre explanations about Japanese culture and daily life felt so naturally included into the story it really stood out to me.
This book took me back to my early days in Japan. Very enjoyable read. Wonderful exploration of survivor's guilt and how tragedy and change a family.
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A friend of mine recommended 'Ash' after my recent trip to Japan. Caitlin Ober is back in Japan after a 15-year absence, and the book slowly unfolds as she moves towards reconciling her past and future. Set in 1985, it does a good job of capturing the time, even touching on the terrible plane crash during Obon that year. While the main story resolved, I'm curious to know what happens with her parents, her sister, and Naomi - it left me wanting to know more. If you're a third-culture kid, it will
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Another beautiful book that takes place in Japan. This book shows the ache that lasts for years after the pain of a loss. The evolution of the characters throughout the book is impressive, especially the main character as she goes from having feelings of pain and guilt to beginning to heal. The ending paragraph was perfection.
This novel is stunning. I really have no other words for it. It is poignant and beautiful both in its characters and in its setting, and is far and away my favourite novel about Japan by any author, foreign or otherwise. The lucky grab of this book at a book sale in Tokyo was very fortunate.
I love Japan and anything that relates to Japanese culture so I was really looking forward to read this book. Unfortunately (and despite having enjoyed the first few chapters) I found the book to be quite boring and just didn't care about the characters or what happened to them.
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Holly Thompson (www.hatbooks.com) is a longtime resident of Japan originally from Massachusetts. A graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction for children through adults. She is author of the verse novels Falling into the Dragon's Mouth, The Language Inside, and Orchards; the picture books One Wave at a Time, Twilight Chant and The Wakame Gatherers and
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