We have been introduced to Flo and her struggles as a person who achieved her dream of becoming a literary translator; she feels empty and no longer enjoys reading. At this time, Flo found a book that a guy left on the train titled "Sound of Water " by Hibiki. The book gets her interest, and she translates the book, although she has not obtained permission from the author, Hibiki. The second story starts with Kyo and Ayako, who live in the small town of Onomichi, and each has their own struggles and stories to share. Ayako is Kyo's grandmother. I didn’t enjoy Flo’s story as much as I enjoyed Kyo’s. I found it much easier to relate to Kyo rather than Flo, whose constant dissatisfaction was slightly nagging. Flo’s struggles feel forced at times. In my opinion, the resolution could have been handled better. Ayako’s story ended abruptly, while the ending of Flo’s story was not as appealing as the story itself. if you're going to spend the rest of your life doing something, you should probably be sure it's something you want to do. Otherwise you'll just make yourself miserable, no?" From the author of The Cat and The City , Four Seasons in Japan is a gorgeously crafted book-within-a-book about literature, purpose and what it is to belong. But the important thing is that you turn up, you get out your pen, and you draw one small thing, one line at a time. That's how you achieve something big. Not in one giant leap, but in ten thousand tiny steps."

This is actually two books. The first one concerns, Flo, an American translator of Japanese literature. She has finished a big project and can't find a new one. Add to this that her girlfriend is relocating to America and Flo can't decide whether she also wants to go. She finds a book, Sound of Water, on the Tokyo subway and becomes immersed in the story. As she translates it, she decides to get this book translation published and so must find the mysterious author, Hibiki. So we read Sound of Water, a novel divided into 4 seasons beginning with spring side by side with Flo's journey through those seasons. The emotions that ran through me as I read those lines. I had to pause and take a minute to regain control and still I was trembling, unsure of what it all meant. Afraid that it was the worst and that would destroy me. This is undoubtedly wonderfully written with the intergenerational relationships and how this changes being very well described. Two worlds definitely collide here but Kyo learns a lot about himself but Ayako and him also come to terms with events from the past too. It has to be said, nothing much happens here, it’s clearly character driven, there are no earth shattering moments as it’s a quiet and mostly gentle tale. Personally, I would have liked more on Flo as I find her interesting but she’s by and large a vehicle for the direction of the storytelling

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However, so many people refused to give up on her. This is the book that we need in response to cancel culture. This is a gentle, tender and thoughtful book, exploring literature, love, human connection, Japanese culture and the disillusion of youth. It features beautiful imagery and is crafted in such a way that you want to savour every chapter. Culturefly This book is a finely-wrought wonder. Four Seasons in Japan carries its wisdom lightly, but tells a profound tale about the redemptive power of narrative and the consolations of art. Joe Mungo Reed, author of Hammer This novel is like the waves of the Seto Inland Sea. Waves that calmly roll in and out, permeating the reader's heart and mind profoundly, and before you know it there's a rich high tide." - Kyoko Nakajima

the important thing is that you turn up, you get out your pen, and you draw one small thing, one line at a time. That's how you achieve something big. An affecting tale of lost souls making connections, told with wit, compassion and gentle inventiveness. Tom Watson, author of Metronome I immensely enjoyed the book because there was a certain degree of warmth I felt while reading. It’s not really a plot-driven kind of storyline as I think the stories centred around the characters. I love the concept of the delivery which excited me a lot by having that touch of mystery element. I just wished that the “Sound of Water” was a real book, because I need to have some answers. Sometimes, as she viewed these snow-capped mountains in the distance, she heard the low sound of the mountain calling, trying to coax her from her peaceful daily routine, but she ignored that sound, despite its strong pull, and carried on making her way to work. Slight bias: I've spent a few years in Japan and miss it. I studied abroad in Tokyo and took a holiday to Onomichi and cycled over the famous cycle route there. It was a beautiful city and added to the story for me as I could picture it. This book feeds the part of me that enjoys the nostalgic feeling that Japanese fiction gives me.

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A book that I genuinely keep putting on and off for the past month. Tbh, I lost interest at some point which I don’t know why, (maybe) I was not in the right mood at that time. So to be fair, you need in the right mood to be engaged in it. So this book has two stories. A book within a book format that makes it more interesting to dive in. Four Seasons in Japan follows Flo over a year of changes, as well as the book she is translating, which tells the story of a year where Kyo, a nineteen-year-old boy has to live with his grandmother, Ayako while he studies for his university retake exams. All the while honing his artistic skills and trying to figure out how to communicate with Ayako. There are generational differences as well as city vs countryside oppositions. Kyo is used to the big city life with countless entertainment possibilities, and hanging out with his friends while her mother works as a doctor and barely has time for him. Ayako on the other hand is very used to her quiet life and her routines and has very a strict view of things. She knows grief and loss all too well and tries her best to do better with Kyo. She is the type of woman who means well but is absolutely certain she knows what’s best for Kyo, and never admits if she is wrong. From the author of The Cat and The City, Four Seasons in Japan is a gorgeously crafted book-within-a-book about literature, purpose and what it is to belong. Until, she came across a book accidentally left by a commuter during a train ride. A book which she had never heard of and kind of mystery in a way. The book was titled “Sound of Water” written by Hibiki, an author Flo had never come across before. The key pleasure of reading this book is its sprightly vigour - cool but not hipsterish, ambitious but not pretentious - that evokes a similar liveliness in the reader. It makes you feel young again John Self, The Times, on THE CAT AND THE CITY