Botchan

Rating:
Summary: An amazing book by a modern Japanese literary icon!
Review: A great book.....period. I have been living in and reading about Japan for years and, well, Natsume Soseki is considered the "first modern Japanese novelist".....and for good reasons. One of his finest "classics", Botchan is only one of the many (Natsume Soseki wrote A BOOK A YEAR for ages! ) great novels, short-stories, etc.. that he produced. A wonderful look at an early period of modern Japan and the many changes that face a young teacher in the Japanese countryside. Get it, read it, and enjoy......

Rating:
Summary: Classic
Review: This is a very simple and quick read. Nothing world shattering inside, but as it`s assigned the status of most popular book in Japan, it`s a must for anyone with the slightest interest in things Japanese. Although short, the characters are well-developed. The protagonist is neither hero, nor anti-hero, rather human, and very likeable because of this. Herein probably lies the key to its popularity. The only shame is the ending, which I liken to a 1980`s Honda City. That was car that had a really abrupt rear hatch and looked as if the company had run out of money after designing a perfectly acceptable front and middle part. Same goes for this book. It just ends, and the final threads are tied in one-line sentences. Not the greatest analogy in the world, but it gives you the general idea. Botchan, the hatchback of the literary world. Made for the whole family, easy to drive, not too meaty, but just drops off at the back.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Read
Review: This was my first Natsume Soseki book, and let me say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is a very simple book about a Tokyoite who moves to Shikoku to teach at a middle school. Botchan is really not a very ambitious guy, but one with much pride. His pride is centered on being from Tokyo and he tends to look on the ones around him with derision giving them nicknames, Redshirt, the Clown, Badger, etc. He tends to find himself in all types of difficulties with literally everyone: students, fellow teachers, landlords, etc. and is very ready to jump into a fight. It is true that there is a racist remark on page 138, in the context of a drunk man, trying to make a faux Sino-Japanese conference. Botchan calls the drunk a derogatory name: chink. It should be noted this book was written in the year 1906. Just take the comment in context with the book. It is not something that shows that Soseki is anti-Chinese. The only reason that this book did not receive 5 stars is because there really is not plot, which the translator informs the reader early in the book. The book also shows that alot of its humor was lost in translation, humor that could only be appreciated in japanese.