Strange Weather in Tokyo

The prose was relaxing and meditative, it's very readable. It was quite nice when they were in the forest foraging and cooking mushrooms as I was listening to this unfold in the audiobook while I was cooking mushrooms on my stove (I alternated between the audio and the paperback). I enjoyed the descriptions of the foods they were eating in general because I'm a foodie and Japanese cuisine is one of my favorites.

However, at the end of the book, my peace was disrupted when she confessed. Had they stayed platonic, it would have worked better for me as I can't buy it that they're a suitable romantic pairing since she sounds younger than 37 and he has grandad vibes being almost seventy in age and spirit. The fact that they used to be teacher and student gives me, even more, indigestion. On top of it all, he keeps bringing up his ex-wife like she's still a central part of the story for him. I understand why they would become friends as they're both strange and antisocial so they are quite lonely, however, the romance part felt out of nowhere and it transformed into an uncomfy dynamic.

At one point he mentions something like “what a lovely girl you are Tsukiko”, with emphasis on the girl. Why is he calling a grown woman a girl unless he somehow still sees her as his high school student? He does often remark on how she used to be in school so that the past is not too far in his mind. Our parents see us as still children even when we're old, at least my mother does and I'd argue it's not quite healthy, so to see this dynamic in a couple makes me uneasy.

I am a bit disappointed I didn't love it more because it's been quite hyped but I guess it is, what it is.

“When I tried to think whom I spent time with before I became friendly with Sensei, no one came to mind.I had been alone. I rode the bus alone. I walked around the city alone. And even when I was with Sensei now, I didn't feel any different from when I did these things on my own. It seemed, then, that it didn't really matter whether or not I was with Sensei, but the truth was, doing these things with him made me feel proper.”

Strange Weather in Tokyo is not your typical boy meets girl story. The short but satisfying tale is filled to the brim with excitement, joy, fun anecdotes, and plenty of heartfelt banter.

The story is a simple one. Tsukiko lives alone and likes to drink. One day at her local bar, she strikes up a conversation with an older gentleman who turns out to be one of her high school teachers from the past. You are a fly on the wall as they go to museums, local markets, bars, and meetups. The conversations are incredibly quirky, and the way the author approaches the age gap is handled incredibly well.

If you love haikus, you will enjoy Hiromi Kawakami's writing style. Here is one of my favorite excerpts: “If the love is true, then treat it the same way you would a plant—feed it, protect it from the elements—you must do absolutely everything you can. But if it isn't true, then it's best to just let it wither on the vine.”

If you have had a bad day, month, or year and need an emotional pick-me-up, level up your soul with this exciting book.