mononoaware

[fanfromjapan]

Hi Barry, Hi fellow members (First time posting...)
 I first picked up RAIN FALL last week. It was so good I finished it in 2 days. You can't get many good paperbacks here in Japan, so I was lucky with this book. I think its because of the Japanese actor/actresses in the movie, otherwise there would only have been the normal Harry Potter and (even on a good day) Grisham books at the local store.
I hang out with a lot of guys from the States that have been in Japan long, but nowhere have I met an American who understands these vague Japanese nuances as Barry Eisler. Phrase like 'Mononoaware', to us Japanese it's a familiar term from literature classes in school,  somewhat maybe like those Shakespearean phrases you might learn in the U.S., but its a really hard notion to explain to someone not of our culture even in the Japanese language(even we don't REALLY know the true meaning of the word). I've known 'gaijin' who were in Japan twice as long as Barry, and they probably have never heard of it or don't have a clue as to its meaning. Also, since I grew up in Koishikawa, right next door to Sengoku(Thousand stones), where John Rain's flat is, I appreciated how accurately Barry depicted the neighborhood, and the friendliness of the downtown area that you won't find in the snobbier districts.
This book is the absolute first I've read that depicts Tokyo completely as a Japanese would, and it really blew my mind. I think Barry Eisler is a genius in observing and learning cultures, and I'm really looking forward to reading all the other books. ja- mata-ne!(see you guys)

[Baby Cobra]

I agree. 

[Cheryl]

Welcome, fan.   

You have quickly discovered something that will become even more apparent as you continue reading Barry's books.  It is not just Japan.  Barry does a lot of research on his locations to make sure they are accurate.  His love for Japan and all things Japanese comes through as does the knowledge of all his settings.

[Pheynix]

Hey there, Fan, and welcome to the site!

As soon as Barry gets around to reading this post (and he will, he's just busy as all get out, what with editing, Boucheron coming up, getting settled back in) (Hank, please correct any discrepancies if I'm speaking out of line), he'll be incredibly flattered by your high praise. He always strives to achieve a level of realism when describing his locations, and he writes them as he has personally witnessed them, but to know that he's captured those perceptions in a very Japanese well will thrill him greatly.

As Cheryl pointed out, Barry does a great job in doing this with other locations as well, but I believe that Japan is near and dear to his heart in away that few other locales are.

Hope you stick around here and play with us a bit, I'm sure we'd love to get some of your input and hear some of your stories as well!

[fanfromjapan]

Hi again everyone, and than you for all the replies. I finally got copies of HARD RAIN, and RAIN STORM. I can't wait to read them!           

[Barry Eisler]

FFJ, forgive me for not responding sooner -- somehow, I missed your post.  Anyway, thank you!  Phey was right, I'm flattered... really glad I got the locations right (especially Sengoku) and that you're enjoying the books.  Stop by when you have a chance and let me know how you enjoy the rest in the series.

Cheers,
Barry