A review by not_another_ana
Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I had been alone. I rode the bus alone, I walked around the city alone, I did my shopping alone, and I drank alone. And even when I was with Sensei now, I didn't feel any different from when I did these things on my own.

Tsukiko is living a very normal and boring life. At 38 she works in an office, has no friends, and lives alone. One day, she crosses paths with her former high school teacher "Sensei" at a bar, and the two start an easy relationship where they share drinks, food, and share a simple camaraderie that develops into a romance as the seasons change.

This wasn't something I would ever pick on my own, it was a book club pick and I was willing to at least have an open mind but nope, I did not like this at all. The main pillar of this book is the age gap relationship. At first I was trying to be non judgemental since they were both grown adults, even thought he had been her HIGH SCHOOL teacher, but more and more parts of the romance didn't sit right with me and it just ruined the book completely.
I was AGHAST when it was revealed that Sensei's son was 50 years old, whatever goodwill I had towards the romance immediately evaporated. Add to that the power dynamics that had Tsukiko acting not even like a teenager but somehow younger and Sensei's condescending and patronizing attitude towards her mixed with some light misogyny and you had me making this face 🤨 OH AND ONE MORE THING I HATED ALL THE HEADPATS, WAS SHE A DOG???


Besides the age gap, there were other aspects of the plot that bothered me, one of them was the drinking. Every chapter they are drinking alcohol, and not just having a beer they are constantly getting wasted and it's presented as normal.
I can't help but wonder how them never being sober affected their decision making and the progression of their relationship.
Then there's the lack of communication, all their interactions were quite superficial with seemingly implied deep that never manifested in their behavior. Baffling book.

TL;DR: Tsukiko you don't need old man dick, you need a Zoloft prescription and a hobby.
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