I was given an ARC to review via Netgalley. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #FourSeasonsInJapan #NickBradley #NetGalley #ARCReview #GeneralFiction #BookReview

I read The Cat and The City finally at the start of this year and while I had high hopes for it I found that I did not like it as much as I thought I might. I think it was that my expectations were different to what the book offered and while it was no means bad it just wasn’t what I envisioned with a few aspects that fell into the ‘stereotypical’ Japanese, well stereotypes. That said I didn’t HATE it by any means and when I heard that Bradley had a new book coming out I was interested to see what it had in store.

Four Seasons in Japan follows Flo, an American translator, in Japan who is suffering from a crisis of confidence. Everything seems to be going wrong for her until she finds a mysterious book left by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo Subway. As Flo begins to read she is transformed and feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel. It is a story about Ayako, a strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in a rural town where she has taken guardianship of her grandson Kyo. Haunted by an extreme loss and long buried family tragedy both are closed off and feel unable to open up to each other. Flo follows the characters across the year in the town, through ups and downs and suddenly she realises she must find the author to seek permission to translate the work. Slowly as the two protagonists seemingly reveal to have more in common with her life than she thought the line between text and translator begin to blur and her journey begins.

I have to say I did prefer this one to The Cat and The City once again I preferred reading about Ayako and Kyo to Flo. I don’t know what it is but something about Flo I just cannot gel with. I am unsure why because she is by no means a poorly written character or not fleshed out it’s just something I cannot put my finger on. That said I enjoyed the concept of this being a book within a book. That we are simultaneously learning about the translator and the translation. It is a unique style which Bradley pulls off well.

The style is easy to read and sometimes beautifully written. I am not sure it captures the full sense of Japanese fiction but it is a very close pastiche which is done very well. I think this was my first issue going into Bradley’s first book, I was expecting a more Japanese style novel and while elements were there it was clearly a westerners take on the Japanese style. Knowing this and expecting it this time I found myself enjoying this novel much more than its predecessor. If you enjoy tales of discovery and finding your place in the world this one is sure to be something you will enjoy, set against the backdrop of the seasonal changes in Japan there are some beautiful descriptions and moments within.

This novel follows the lives on three main characters across different timelines. Flo lives in the bustling modern city of Tokyo - she is surrounded by people and friends but feels increasingly disconnected. Kyo and Ayako live in a rural village and each has their own challenges and stories to tell.

The writing in this book is gentle and beautiful. The scenery and descriptions of life made me feel like I was right there in Japan.

The way Nick Bradley combines the two separate stories is so clever and seamless. The characters are well written and the writing really brings them to life.

A stunning book

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to review an ARC copy.

Four Seasons in Japan is a book-within-a-book, this is done by having our main character Flo find a book in Japanese, a translator by trade, she decides to take it on as a project. Flo is stuck in a rut, her relationship is ending and she's trying to get out of a funk. Ayako, is the main character of the book Flo is translating. Ayako is a "fierce and strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in the small town of Onomichi, where she has just taken guardianship of her grandson, Kyo". Flo spends Four Seasons in Japan trying to translate Ayako' book and searching for the author.

Bradley does a wonderful job of writing about Japanese culture and use of the Japanese language as someone who has never been to Japan this book made me feel apart of the culture and improved my understanding the culture.

Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have read a few novels set in Japan this year and I love reading about the descriptions of life in Japan which is what drew me to Four Seasons in Japan.I loved reading about Kyo and his relationship with his grandmother Ayako. Flo, the American translator however, was not a character I was drawn to initially, I found her rather irritating!!!
That said, this was a wonderful read for the bank holiday weekend.

This was such a beautifully captivating read. Plot-wise, not a lot really happens in terms of events. But there was so much intrigue in the characters and their relationships with each other, that the story was really gripping throughout. The writing was so beautiful and felt like reading a piece of Japanese literature in terms of the style. I love books within books and this was so cleverly and interestingly done!

This book-within-a-book novel follows the lives of three characters: Flo - the translator, Kyo - the lost boy, and Ayako - the grandma.

Flo finds a book left behind on the Tokyo’s underground and immediately gets into its story, trying to translate it into English and publish it abroad. She does everything in her power to try and find the mysterious author of the novel, whilst falling in love with the book itself. The book talks about Kyo, a 19-yo boy who has just failed his exams and was sent to live with his grandma in the rural Japan. Although their relationships starts off coolly, as Kyo has to heavily readjust to his current living situation, both him and his grandma Ayako learn new things from each other.

Nick Bradley wrote an incredible love-letter-to-Japan novel. The mentions of places, train lines and even customs made me feel like I was back in Japan. He did an incredible job at explaining some of the traditions and sayings in Japanese, which can make the read easy even for someone who knows nothing about Japan.

The author’s ability to write two separate stories and combine them together in a seamless manner is incredible. The ‘mysterious book’ chapters are written in a way that could make on believe it was written by a Japanese person, while the ‘real life’ chapters have a slightly more western feel to them. Nick can also describe the surroundings in a way which feels like you’re right there.

This love letter to Japan is about love, loss, grief, loneliness, being lost and not knowing what to do next. The characters are well written, the writing is vivid, the story-line is complex but not over complicated.

I highly recommend.

ad: thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for my ARC. It was a pleasure to read this book.

A beautiful story that paints a descriptive picture of Japan. Interesting characters and I did like the relationships however I did find it quite hard going at points due to my expectations. Overall an enjoyable read.

I mostly enjoyed reading this story within a story.
I wasn’t impressed with Flo but I loved reading about Kyo and his grandmother Ayako.
It was lovely to read about their relationship and to learn a bit about Japan.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book ahead of its release!

This was my first Nick Bradley read, and to be honest it wasn’t for me. I struggled to get into it and found it a bit confusing. The writing is beautiful though, and I know a lot of people will love this book! It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

A beautiful story, confused me a little initially but I loved reading about Japan, its culture and the people! Found the relationship between grandson and grandmother a little strained initially, but the more the seasons went on, the more their relationship blossomed.

Not going to lie, I was close to DNF early on. It took me a while to get into it but once I got going, I realised why.

This is because I had zero interest in Flo's storyline and I was focused on her work translating a book narrating the story of Kyo and his grandmother Ayako. That story is what hold my interest to the very end, as it was quite wholesome. I didn't like Flo at all, I found that character quite annoying, to be honest. Kyo and Ayako's relationship was nice to see develop and heal old traumas.

I also really enjoyed the description of Japanese scenery, as I visited Japan years ago so it brought back memories.

I loved the setting for this story, as it really brings rural Japan sharply into focus. It is written from the point of view of Flo, a translator who works in Tokyo. She is disappointed with her work and relationships but she makes an unexpected discovery when a drunk salary man lurches off the last train leaving a book in his seat. Flo takes the book and is immediately immersed in the story, which she begins translating from Japanese to English. From this point on, Flo's life becomes intertwined with the main characters in the book, the strictly obedient student Kyo, who has failed his entrance exams for medical school and must retake them, and his grandmother, a rather fearsome old lady who lost finger and toes when she climbed a mountain in a blizzard.
Flo becomes so bound up in Kyo and Ayako's lives that her own life is put on hold and it is rather late in the day when she remembers she has to actually find the author of this book and ask permission to translate it, officially.
The book covers many themes, most notably loss and love, both of which take several guises, depending on the character involved. Gradually Flo begins to realise that there are lot of comparisons between her life and those of the characters in the story and she has to be brave and take the final step for herself.
What I loved most about Four Seasons in Japan are the descriptions of life in Japan. Having lived there, I know several coffee shops like the one by Ayako, that you wonder in the days of Starbucks and other chains, how they survive. The references to and descriptions of the seasons are beautiful which in Japanese life are coupled with various ceremonies and holidays. The food, the clothing, the trains and the saki are all so familiar and I love the wood block style illustrations of Ayako's garden seen through the shoji doors.
So why haven't I given this book five stars since I enjoyed reading it so much? That is the point - I did enjoy reading it so much that I found the ending rather a disappointment. I'm not sure quite what I was expecting, but sadly it didn't match up with my expectations.
But a beautiful read, covering some serious themes and a journey very much enjoyed.
With thanks to Netgalley and Transworld, Penguin Random House for an arc copy and a chance to review this book in return for honest comments.

'Four Seasons in Japan' by Nick Bradley is a truly remarkable and captivating novel that deserves nothing less than five stars. From the moment I started reading this book, I’ve got mesmerized by its story, I was immediately transported into a world of self-discovery, heart-wrenching emotions, and the power of human connections.

The story revolves around Flo, a protagonist who finds herself at a crossroads in life. The author masterfully portrays Flo's struggle with a crisis of confidence, stagnant work, and a fading relationship in Tokyo. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a mysterious book left behind on the Tokyo Subway. From that point forward, Flo's life becomes intertwined with the captivating tale of Ayako, an old woman in the small town of Onomichi, and her grandson, Kyo.

Bradley skillfully weaves together the narratives of Flo, Ayako, and Kyo across a year in rural Japan. Through his vivid descriptions and keen observations, the author immerses the reader in the ups and downs of the characters' lives, making their experiences feel incredibly real and relatable. The struggles, losses, and hidden tragedies they face evoke a profound sense of empathy and understanding.

What sets 'Four Seasons in Japan' apart is the seamless blending of the fictional world and Flo's own reality. As Flo delves deeper into the book and its translation, she begins to realize that her own life is intricately connected to the characters she is discovering.

Nick Bradley's writing is extraordinary. He has a remarkable talent for painting vivid pictures with words, capturing the nuances of emotions in a breathtaking manner. Whether it's the bustling streets of Tokyo or the serene landscapes of rural Japan, his descriptions bring each scene to life.

'Four Seasons in Japan' is a book that leaves a lasting impression. It is about universal themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and the profound impact of human connections. Additionally, I must mention that 'Four Seasons in Japan' was so captivating that I found myself unable to put the book down. The enthralling narrative and the compelling characters held me captive from the very first page, and I devoured the entire book in just two days. It is a testament to Nick Bradley's skill as a storyteller that he crafted a tale so irresistible that it consumed my thoughts and time. This book is a true page-turner, and I guarantee that once you start reading, you won't be able to resist the urge to go ahead to the very end.

I received an electronic ARC courtesy of NetGalley, the author and the publisher.

3.5 rounded down

It’s spring and cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Japan and yet American translator Flo Dunthorpe is in despair following the poor reception of her latest book translation. There’s another blow too as she is breaking up with her girlfriend who is going to live in the United States. However, will a lovely book she finds called ‘Sound of Water’ by the mysterious writer Hibiki restore her fortunes? Meanwhile, grandmother Ayako runs a cafe in Onomichi and is expecting the arrival of her daydreamer grandson nineteen year old Kyo. Like Flo, Kyo has lost his way in life after failing his exams and reluctantly travels to Onomichi to attend a cram school to help him get accepted to study medicine. After an unpromising start Kyo learns there’s way more to his grandmother than he initially gives her credit for.

I like the two stories premise which is interspersed with Flo’s translation of Sound of Water and scattered throughout are some wonderful illustrations and photographs which add to the storytelling and I love looking at these. The setting in Japan is fascinating and lovers of all things Japanese will find this novel resonates. You get an excellent peak into Japanese society via Kyo and Ayako and the other inhabitants of the small town of Onomichi. If you are a cat lover they feature prominently too, especially Coltrane (not Robbie!).

This is undoubtedly wonderfully written with the intergenerational relationships and how this changes being very well described. Two worlds definitely collide here but Kyo learns a lot about himself but Ayako and him also come to terms with events from the past too. It has to be said, nothing much happens here, it’s clearly character driven, there are no earth shattering moments as it’s a quiet and mostly gentle tale. Personally, I would have liked more on Flo as I find her interesting but she’s by and large a vehicle for the direction of the storytelling

Despite the fact that there is a great deal to praise here, other readers love this a lot more than I do, I think it’s a case of the wrong reader rather than any issues with this well written book.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld, Doubleday for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

A split plot, following two separate stories.

Sorry, a DNF for me. Unable to get a grip with either story, obviously not in the right mood for this right now. I think my expectations were too high. Will endeavour to try again at some point.

With apologies to the author for my lack of commitment.

Thank you NetGalley.

The Cat and the City is a book that I have always been meaning to pick up but other books got in the way. So, when Nick Bradley's second novel appeared, I just had to grab the arc. This book is such a gentle read, the writing is warm but not too sentimental. And - it is also a book within a book. We have a story that focuses on two young people, both of whom are trying to find where they belong, I suppose. Flo, an American translator who lives in Japan, has just gone through a break-up and she has lost all her faith in life and even her work. then she comes across a book that has been left behind on a train and becomes absorbed in it. She starts to translate it, even though she has not obtained permission from the author, Hibiki. In fact she has not even been able to find the author. Her story frames the story of the book that she is translating, the story of Ayako and her grandson Kyo. Their story is told in four part, the four seasons of Japan. Kyo has failed his exams and has been sent to stay with a grandmother he doesn't know so that he can attend a cramming school, retake his exams and enter university to study medicine. His father committed suicide when he was a child, an event that affected him and Kyo wants to find out about him, but how does he ask his grandmother who is also a character affected by loss. Prior to losing her son, she had lost her husband, a climber, on the mountain. With these two devastating losses, Ayako is determined that she will not repeat the mistakes that she made with her son with Kyo, even though she does come across as hard and controlling at times, she believes that she is acting in Kyo's best interests. I loved the relationship between Ayako and Kyo and the respect that the young man has for his grandmother. This is what I love about Japanese novels, the culture of respect, the culture of family. The relationship between Ayako and Kyo develops over the seasons as does Kyo's art. He loves drawing and dreams of being a manga artist, something that his grandmother can't understand. Ayako herself is an interesting character, her story - her battle with the mountain which is inspiring has also caused her trauma which she seems to want to pass onto Kyo. She is very hard on him at times. We also have cats who play their own part in offering support to the humans in the story. This is a story of hopes and dreams. It is a gentle story and as with all novels set in Japan and in the culture of Japan, there are layers. A lovely read.

Was invited to review this book by the publishers what a welcome invite it was… such a lovely book with beautiful imagery and themes. Well written and with lots of cats…what is not to love…will make you smile

What I enjoyed: mixing two stories by using a "translation" plot device. The translator, Flo, an American translator living in Tokyo, is breaking up with her girlfriend and trying to find a translation project to get excited about. She finds a book in Japanese in the train, by a mysterious author, and the novel we're reading now is basically the "translation" of this book interspersed with elements from Flo's story. So meta, i like it ! There are some parallels that make us understand why Flo is so fascinated by the book, for example Flo's and Kyo's approach to art/craft, human connection, joy... I loved a lot of details and the character progression for Kyo. I found that the unsettling feeling of navigating between the 2 stories was enjoyable rather than confusing. I was quite engaged with the story and the characters, I wanted to know more and for Flo to find the mysterious author.
What I enjoyed less: the story between Ayako and her grandson Kyo was a bit... eye-rolling? sometimes, I can see the progression, but not sure I'm on board with the believability of it all, with the balance between some candid plot points and what feels like soul crushing life events. I also felt the balance of viewpoints between Kyo and Ayako in the "translated" story a bit off at times, and I wished to see more of Flo's life as it felt mostly empty, characters around her props more that other characters.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for gifting me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved A Cat in the CIty and was really excited to see that Nick had a second book coming and there's not a whiff of 'difficult second novel" around this one.
If possible I think I loved it more than Cat - the characters leapt off the page and into my heart from the very start and as soon as I got to the end of the book I wanted to read it again.

Nick Bradley has written a beautiful story focussing on two young lives; both trying to work out who they are, where they fit in to society and where they are heading. Following a possible break up, Flo cannot decide whether to follow her partner to America whilst at the same time losing her self belief in her job as a translator and cannot decide if she’s in the right career. Life changes upon the discovery of a book on the metro which Flo immerses herself in and decides to translate. This is the tale of city born Tokyo based 19:year old Ayo who has failed his exams and needs to undertake a “ cram “ year in the small town where his estranged grandmother Ayako lives. The story of understanding between grandmother and grandson is mesmerising as you are pulled into the world of two people suffering grief and not knowing how to deal with it and connect with one another . Ayako wants to protect her grandson but sometimes takes the tougher path. Ultimately , they are both drawn towards a deeper understanding of one another , of love and living life through your passions. This is at times a heartbreaking novel but the sensitivity and warmth that runs through and the affirmation to live life to the full and not give up on your dreams is truly positive without being overly sentimental. Nick Bradley’s knowledge and love of Japanese culture further brings the book to life.A wonderful read for the summer ahead .