I suppose the overarching theme of the whole novel is about failure,” he notes, “and about how we live through failure to find happiness, as it were.” 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 a gentle, wistful novel set in Japan where I have recently had a holiday. My enjoyment of the book was heightened because the language spoken, the food eaten, the transport systems and the Hiroshima Peace Park mentioned in the novel were so familiar to me. We have been introduced to Flo and her struggles as a person who achieved her dream of becoming a literary translator; she feels empty and no longer enjoys reading. At this time, Flo found a book that a guy left on the train titled "Sound of Water " by Hibiki. The book gets her interest, and she translates the book, although she has not obtained permission from the author, Hibiki. The second story starts with Kyo and Ayako, who live in the small town of Onomichi, and each has their own struggles and stories to share. Ayako is Kyo's grandmother.

how did she translate these very untranslatable feelings that coursed through her body and mind? How could she put this pain into words that other people could understand and relate to?Oh, this is a lovely, lovely book. Read Four Seasons in Japan for... Japan through the seasons. Directionless characters finding a new path and purpose. Omniscient cats. Creative work. Studio Ghibli vibes. Love. Loss. A reminder to put down your phone and head to the mountains instead. This novel is like the waves of the Seto Inland Sea. Waves that calmly roll in and out, permeating the reader's heart and mind profoundly, and before you know it there's a rich high tide. Kyoko Nakajima, author of Things Remembered and Things Forgotten Gorgeous. Four Seasons in Japan is the best kind of book: layered, interlinked and clever, but also delicately drawn, immersive and big-hearted. I strung out the last chapters, reluctant to let the beguiling characters go. Rebecca Stott, author of In The Days of Rain You see my first cat, Melville, is buried under a beautiful Japanese cherry tree. Sky blue is my favorite color. Destiny.

There are so many layers or themes that are somehow discussed in both stories such as translation work issues, Japanese culture and traditions To make you not confused, firstly we go through with the character Flo. She has a situation with her translation works where she has lost her originality in her translation which makes her condemn herself for not being able to make the reader connect with the stories that she did. At this point, I admire and see through those people who work as published translators. It was not an easy job to convey the original context with proper words to the readers. The rating of the book affected them, not just the author. In this case, due to Flo slowly losing her passion, she was waiting for the moment to find the right book to translate. So there she found a book called Sound of Water, being left by someone on a train. This is actually two books. The first one concerns, Flo, an American translator of Japanese literature. She has finished a big project and can't find a new one. Add to this that her girlfriend is relocating to America and Flo can't decide whether she also wants to go. She finds a book, Sound of Water, on the Tokyo subway and becomes immersed in the story. As she translates it, she decides to get this book translation published and so must find the mysterious author, Hibiki. So we read Sound of Water, a novel divided into 4 seasons beginning with spring side by side with Flo's journey through those seasons. My favourite character by far was the formidable Ayako, Kyo’s grandmother. I loved seeing their relationship develop; they had some really touching moments.Flo translates the story of Kyo, a sensitive teenager and his stubborn grandmother Ayako, even though she doesn’t have the author’s permission. This story occurs mainly in Onomichi, a countryside town. Bradley takes his readers to Japan and introduces them to the country’s history, customs, culture, cuisine, and traditions. It was a wonderful experience visualising the changing seasons. Surprisingly moving ... This is a novel that occupies multiple worlds in multiple ways ... a postmodern riddle while also making for an emotionally engaging story ... there's something here for everyone. The Times

A finely drawn evocation of Japan, of youth, age, dreams, disillusionment, struggles and strength... A poignant and beautiful book.' Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins There is a heavy depiction of depressing and suicidal thoughts that really gets to me which i found myself choked up just thinking about it. Its the feeling that is relatable but hurts the most. I want to hug Kyo so bad reading it. Four Seasons in Japan doubles as a love letter to Japanese culture, its landscape, and literature, exploring the comfort found in books and the (mis)understanding between generations. Country & Town HouseThis is one of the best books I've read lately in my beloved lost and directionless protagonist pursues a simpler way of life genre. Honestly, it's a real delight, especially if you're at something of a crossroads in your own life and work.