When the Butterfly Stings

Rating:
Summary: Culturally embarrassing & arrogant. Past that? Good JET book
Review: Arrogant, self-righteous, hot-headed and argumentative, are but a few of the traits exhibited by the author in his compare-and-contrast account of his experiences as a 2 year JET program participant. Kramer's accomplishment, though admirable, is colored by his culturally-uneducated interpretations of the differences between the American and Japanese society, educational systems, culture, and behavior.

When facing challenges, Kramer's solutions often point out shortcomings, or apparent inferiority of not only the education system, and its bureaucracy, but social behavior of the Japanese themselves. While discounting interpretations, and advice of his fellow JETs with rural, and international education backgrounds, Kramer offers his perspectives through the biased lens of the apparent cosmopolitan, and inter-cultural upbringing afforded him by his New York City education.

I strongly disagree with the conclusions of other reviewers that this book should be considered excellent literature, and that it is in any way objective. Kramer, though promising, will need to remove himself from his books, in order to gain them the credibility they need, and, yes, deserve, for a wider, let alone an international audience.

As a JET cultural ambassador about to set off on his own adventure, I am embarrassed to be representing America in the footsteps of the attitudes expressed in this book. This book clearly illiterates the litany of reasons why Americans are seen as culturally-shallow, arrogant and imperialistic within the international community.

Kramer's lack of objectivity in his experiences leave his writings vacant of the richness of cultural dynamics built over millennia of tradition in Japan, yielding a uniquely Japanese way of approaching conflict, and problems inherent in all aspects of a society. Kramer's book brutally robs Japan of its unique culture, in an Americanized attempt to analyze, and attribute the causes of the many preventable bullying incidents present in all schools, which resulted in the tragic murder of one of his students.

If you are expecting great literature, or a deeper anthropological understanding of Japan's educational system, and its people, this book is not for you. If you are a JET seeking a glimpse of the kind of adventures awaiting you, this book indeed details a vivid account of the day-to-day life of a JET in Minamimatsuyama, Saitama prefecture. Kramer's unfortunately negative experiences, and biased opinions seem to overwhelm the numerous positive stories in his book. Do not let Kramer's overall negativity discourage you.

If you read past Kramer's arrogance, his book is full of fascinating, and beautifully visualized anecdotes, which bring you vividly in contact with several individuals, which afforded the author a priceless glance at the magical world of language, tea ceremony, and musical tradition. It is in these authentic experiences and conversations with Japan's per-war generation that Kramer's masterfully remembered conversations, and vivid literary style really shine through.

It is in moments where Kramer loses his basis for comparison does this book become a fascinating account of west meets east.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for all!
Review: I ordered this book 1 month ago and have already read it 2 times. Both intriguing and informative, "When the Butterfly Stings" paints an intimate portrait of Japanese culture and politics. Richard Kramer is undoubtedly a rising star in a long list of great authors. I can't wait for his next work! I strongly urge anyone with the desire to expand thier mind and enlighten thier soul to read this book. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for all!
Review: Kramer's book spreads light on a problem that is often overlooked in Japan. It seems to be divided into 2 sections: the first describing his experience as someone unfamiliar with Japan as he becomes acquainted with the new culture and the second, building up to the murder and exposing some of the darkness behind the glittering reputation of the Japanese education. Far more detailed and thought-provoking than Memoires of a Geisha, it is both an excellent guide for anyone attempting to grapple with living ina foreign culture and an excellent picture of Japan. I really enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Outstanding, a Pleasure to Read
Review: Richard Kramer has written one of the most moving and beautiful narrations about the cultural dichotomy between post-WW II Japan and a post-Cold War American trying to bring comfort and love to a hard and unforgiving culture.

I have read few books in my life that have moved me as much as "When the Butterfly Sings". Kramer has truly written a masterpiece - and I look forward to the broad distribution of this piece on a national/international level.

Kramer is most definitely a superstar in the making. It is exciting to see a work of art like "When the Butterfly Sings" in anticipation of what is to come from this future literary genius.

Rating:
Summary: Best guide for prospective JET participant
Review: The description of this book does not do it justice. I read this on the advice of a friend not knowing what to expect (I am joining the JET program this year and I am a career 10+ teacher). What Kramer describes is a clear, objective picture of what to expect in terms of both living and teaching English in a junior high school in Japan. It is also hillariously amusing, with a great mix of anecdotes coupled with historic fact.

And that is only half of the book. The second half deals with the problem of bullying. As the reader is informed and spellbound by on the very first page, one of Kramer's students murdered another in the classroom. He describes the reactions of the BD. Bd. of ED., other teachers, parents, and most of all himself through the events leading up to the tragedy and its aftermath. What I found most interesting was both how it reminded me of events of my own career in the US and also how with all things there often is no right answer. It is the process, the struggle that gives merit to the experience. This book guides, its teaches, it shows a picture of what to expect as a teacher not only in Japan but anywhere because at the end of the day, people are people.

Rating:
Summary: Best guide for prospective JET participant
Review: The description of this book does not do it justice. I read this on the advice of a friend not knowing what to expect (I am joining the JET program this year and I am a career 10+ teacher). What Kramer describes is a clear, objective picture of what to expect in terms of both living and teaching English in a junior high school in Japan. It is also hillariously amusing, with a great mix of anecdotes coupled with historic fact.

And that is only half of the book. The second half deals with the problem of bullying. As the reader is informed and spellbound by on the very first page, one of Kramer's students murdered another in the classroom. He describes the reactions of the BD. Bd. of ED., other teachers, parents, and most of all himself through the events leading up to the tragedy and its aftermath. What I found most interesting was both how it reminded me of events of my own career in the US and also how with all things there often is no right answer. It is the process, the struggle that gives merit to the experience. This book guides, its teaches, it shows a picture of what to expect as a teacher not only in Japan but anywhere because at the end of the day, people are people.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully descriptive, thrilling and moving. A must read.
Review: This book is in my view a must read for anyone interested in Japan, living and teaching in Japan, modern Japanese society and the remnants of its past which still permeate through to modern society. As a Japanese married to a foreigner living and working in Osaka, I am amazed at how well this book captures some of the more intricate facets of Japanese society. I do agree with the prior reviewer that Kramer can be a bit indulgent in his writing, but one must look at the events described as more than a mere struggle of East vs. West. What Kramer describes is no less than the brutal murder of one of his students by another student while those around him did little to aid. He presents the opposing viewpoints to his own thoughts and theories in the form of discussions with friends and colleagues. He disagrees, strongly at times with the conclusions that they reach, but he does present their viewpoints, fairly and one hopes accurately. One must also remember that in the end he did bow (no pun intended) to the will of majority and the result was that his student was murdered! To call this book "culturally embarassing" is to do it a grave injustice. To call Kramer culturally ignorant and unappreciative of the opportunties afforded him is completely baseless. In the two years of time the book spans the author passionately devoted himself to learning Japanese and traditional arts such as shamisen and tea ceremony. In end the end the discussions and arguments he had with admnistration officials were in Japanese.

The controvery created by this book is in my view one that is currently central to a struggle raging in Western philosophy and thought. Where is the acceptable line between being able to criticize and make better and being culturally insensitive and imperialistic? It is and always will be a fact and circumstance specific analysis, but Kramer in this book is in my view very safely on the correct side of the line in his analysis and conclusions. Personally, I wished he had been more aggressive in his approach as the end result may have been very different - as unfair as it may be to speculate on that score.

Finally, I have noticed over the years that foreigners interested in Japan are largely of two types. There is the "Japanophile" - who loves all things Japanese, is extremely defensive of anyone who levels the slightest criticism against Japan, is extremely proud of being able to speak more than a few words of Japanese and fashions himself/herself a "hen na gaijin" or Japan expert. On the other hand there are those who despite outward appearances to the contrary, deep down despise Japan as backwards, and no attempts to understand it or embrace it. They use it for what they can e.g. money, physical pleasures, etc. Neither is a healthy view. To throw away what you have, the cultural perspective you are coming from in the mad and arrogant hope that you will find the meaning of another is pure folly. Kramer, in my view has the rare talent to take his knowledge and experience and apply it with understanding and decency in the attempt to understand and improve. Unfortunatley, both categories 1 and 2 gaijin in Japan may not like this book as each will compare it to his/her own experiences with distaste, but it remains an honest testament and a must read for anyone interested in modern and ancient Japan.