Read Real Japanese: All You Need to Enjoy Eight Contemporary Writers

Rating:
Summary: Excellent intermediate - advanced text
Review: Another fine title from Kodansha's bilingual series (also check out the wonderfully titled 'How to Sound Intelligent in Japanese') - this is indeed better for intermediate readers, and features an intriguing selection of essays by contemporary Japanese writers/ culture vultures.

This is an excellent stepping stone toward the ultimate goal of reading written Japanese quickly and effectively. Even advanced students will probably find many of the concepts and phrases contained within of great benefit. It is also useful for people who are looking for stimulating Japanese writers, to get a taste of some of the best contemporary authors, before exploring in depth.

The explanations and translations are uniformly excellent - this is a must-have for anyone serious about reading Japanese fiction in the original language.


Rating:
Summary: Great for Intermediate Students of Japanese
Review: (By Edward Trimnell, author of "Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One" (ISBN: 1591133343))

Since I began my Japanese studies in the 1980s (when intermediate Japanese textbooks were as rare as hen's teeth) I envy the intermediate Japanese language student of today who has this book at his/her disposal.

If you are just starting to read Japanese but still don't feel comfortable with your skills, then this is the perfect book for you. Author Janet Ashby takes 8 contemporary pieces from Japanese literature and breaks each one down sentence-by-sentence. She offers not only a translation of sentence, but also a phonetic romaji reading.

When you are at the intermediate stage of reading Japanese, you will often find yourself wondering, "Am I reading this character correctly?" and "Do I really understand what I'm reading?" This book will help you to gain confidence in these areas.

Additionally, the selections that Ashby has chosen are particularly entertaining. I especially enjoyed "Enkai-yoo no Onna" by Sakura Momoko. (Anyone who has ever spent time in a Japanese office environment will appreciate this story.)

Rating:
Summary: Great for Intermediate Students of Japanese
Review: (By Edward Trimnell, author of "Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One" (ISBN: 1591133343))

Since I began my Japanese studies in the 1980s (when intermediate Japanese textbooks were as rare as hen's teeth) I envy the intermediate Japanese language student of today who has this book at his/her disposal.

If you are just starting to read Japanese but still don't feel comfortable with your skills, then this is the perfect book for you. Author Janet Ashby takes 8 contemporary pieces from Japanese literature and breaks each one down sentence-by-sentence. She offers not only a translation of sentence, but also a phonetic romaji reading.

When you are at the intermediate stage of reading Japanese, you will often find yourself wondering, "Am I reading this character correctly?" and "Do I really understand what I'm reading?" This book will help you to gain confidence in these areas.

Additionally, the selections that Ashby has chosen are particularly entertaining. I especially enjoyed "Enkai-yoo no Onna" by Sakura Momoko. (Anyone who has ever spent time in a Japanese office environment will appreciate this story.)