A heartwarming and profound novel about the power of books and connection between generations, that is also a love letter to Japan and its literature.
‘Every book worm would love this.’ Glamour
‘An emotionally engaging story ... there's something here for everyone.’ The Times
Flo is sick of Tokyo.
Suffering from a crisis in confidence, she is stuck in a rut, her translation work has dried up and she's in a relationship that's run its course.
That's until she stumbles upon a mysterious book left by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo Subway.
From the very first page, Flo is transformed and immediately feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel, a decision which sets her on a path that will change her life.
As Flo follows the characters across a year in rural Japan, through the ups and downs of the pair's burgeoning relationship, she quickly realises that she needs to venture outside the pages of the book to track down its elusive author.
And, as the two protagonists reveal themselves to have more in common with her life than first meets the eye, the lines between text and translator converge, and it soon becomes clear that Flo’s journey is just beginning…
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Praise for Four Seasons in Japan:
‘A gentle, tender and thoughtful book, exploring literature, love, human connection, Japanese culture and the disillusion of youth…crafted in such a way that you want to savour every chapter.’Culturefly
‘Four Seasons in Japan doubles as a love letter to Japanese culture, its landscape, and literature, exploring the comfort found in books and the (mis)understanding between generations.’ Country & Town House
‘A poignant, quiet and affecting novel full of love as well as loss.’ Observer
Genre: Literary Fiction
‘Every book worm would love this.’ Glamour
‘An emotionally engaging story ... there's something here for everyone.’ The Times
Flo is sick of Tokyo.
Suffering from a crisis in confidence, she is stuck in a rut, her translation work has dried up and she's in a relationship that's run its course.
That's until she stumbles upon a mysterious book left by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo Subway.
From the very first page, Flo is transformed and immediately feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel, a decision which sets her on a path that will change her life.
As Flo follows the characters across a year in rural Japan, through the ups and downs of the pair's burgeoning relationship, she quickly realises that she needs to venture outside the pages of the book to track down its elusive author.
And, as the two protagonists reveal themselves to have more in common with her life than first meets the eye, the lines between text and translator converge, and it soon becomes clear that Flo’s journey is just beginning…
-------------------------
Praise for Four Seasons in Japan:
‘A gentle, tender and thoughtful book, exploring literature, love, human connection, Japanese culture and the disillusion of youth…crafted in such a way that you want to savour every chapter.’Culturefly
‘Four Seasons in Japan doubles as a love letter to Japanese culture, its landscape, and literature, exploring the comfort found in books and the (mis)understanding between generations.’ Country & Town House
‘A poignant, quiet and affecting novel full of love as well as loss.’ Observer
Genre: Literary Fiction
Praise for this book
"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
"This is a finely drawn evocation of Japan, of youth, age, dreams, disillusionment, struggles and strength. Nick Bradley has created a set of many-layered characters whose actions and attitudes pull us deeply into their story. A poignant and beautiful book." - Hazel Prior
"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
"I savoured every line of this beautifully observed portrait of Japan. Bradley creates a world and characters that are completely engrossing." - Bea Setton
"A beautifully constructed story within a story that builds to an emotional and satisfying conclusion; I loved being immersed in the characters' experiences of heartbreak, warmth, finding purpose and, of course, cats, in the shifting seasons of urban and rural Japan. Ayako is a character I will carry with me for a long time." - Eleanor Wasserberg
"This is a finely drawn evocation of Japan, of youth, age, dreams, disillusionment, struggles and strength. Nick Bradley has created a set of many-layered characters whose actions and attitudes pull us deeply into their story. A poignant and beautiful book." - Hazel Prior
"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
"I savoured every line of this beautifully observed portrait of Japan. Bradley creates a world and characters that are completely engrossing." - Bea Setton
"A beautifully constructed story within a story that builds to an emotional and satisfying conclusion; I loved being immersed in the characters' experiences of heartbreak, warmth, finding purpose and, of course, cats, in the shifting seasons of urban and rural Japan. Ayako is a character I will carry with me for a long time." - Eleanor Wasserberg
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