The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino

This is another fine work by Hiromi Kawakami, one of Japan's most talented contemporary writers. It presents a picture of the man Nishino through the eyes of several woman, each of whom is a former lover or has at least been seriously influenced by him. The novel or novella is episodic inevitably with so many narrators and each talking of different times in Nishinos life but it cleverly avoids being simply a set of short stories and each narrators story quickly becomes absorbing.Not as good as Strange Weather in Tokyo (also known as The Briefcase or Sensei), which is her best book in my view, and not quite as good as The Nakano Shrift Shop, but it is still well worth reading for people wanting something different.

Having picked this up after falling in love with Kawakami’s other two books, Strange Weather In Tokyo and The Nakano Thrift Shop, I am left so disappointed at this book.I adored these other two books and really did think this would be a hat-trick. But this just didn’t hit anywhere near the mark for me.Worst of all, and I’m, possibly alone in thinking this it seems, but I really didn’t see anything resembling the concept of ‘love’ in this, rather a guy who is simply nonchalant and merely sleeps his way around!I just didn’t get it at all – Nishino isn’t a committer and therefore just has sex with all these women - simple as…I made it halfway through the book and just couldn’t bring myself to continue with this tirade anymore – a concept I couldn’t ever have imagined when reading Kawakami’s other two books.This really was a huge let down from a writer who has managed to invoke such emotion and passion in her other two incredible and immensely popular books before this.

If you want to try this author, Strange Weather... Is brilliant, hilarious, charming, a bit dark. This collection of related vignettes is q. similar, still good, but nothing like as good as the above.

If you enjoy Japanese literature you will surely enjoy this rather strange set of ten stories. Each story covers a different girl's relationship with the main character, Nishino, at various stages of his life, and each story tells more of the women narrators than it does of Nishino himself, but together a kind of composite picture develops.At 195 pages it is not a long read, but it is strangely haunting, and Nishino emerges as an interesting character, polished, caring, but somehow a little sad.Well worth reading

Rather repetitive and dull I am afraid. I was expecting some originality but was disappointed.

a bit weird and boring

It’s been a while since I’ve read any Japanese literature so I jumped at the chance to read “The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino”. I missed out on a book club reading of it a few months ago and heard only good things and I’m so glad to say that I agree, this is a wonderful read.Hiromi Kawakami tells the story of Mr Yukihiko Nishino at various points in this life through the eyes of ten women, his loves.Nishino is a quirky character full of charisma and I have to say that I was rather fond of him at first. As each non-linear chapter goes by, we learn a little more about Nishino, his personality, his history, his quirks and his flaws and by the end we have a clear picture of his life.“But, Nishino, you have lots of girlfriends and lovers, don’t you? Isn’t that your thing, knowing about girls? ”I really enjoyed hearing about this character from so many points of view and it gave the book a real variety of stories and characters to enjoy. Nishino is a womaniser, but we can’t really work out why so many women are attracted to him. What is it that wins them over, especially when so many of them are aware that he’s two timing?!“For one thing, Nishino was quite a handsome man. Secondly, he was clean-cut. Furthermore, Nishino was kind and courteous. And to top it all off, he had a steady job with a respectable company.”The writing is typical of Japanese style, without frills or lengthy description and I relished every word. It’s slow going, but deliberately so with deep meaning within these pages. This is definitely a thought provoking read and I’ve been left thinking about it for a couple of days after finishing.I also think that this book was translated particularly well and that’s proven by the fact that Allison Markin Powell won an award for her translationI’ve got another Kawakami book on my shelf and I can’t wait to give it a read! This was really enjoyable!Overall rating: “The Ten Loves of Mr Nishino” is another great piece of Japanese literature that I really enjoyed. This is another quirky romance by Hiromi Kawakami that’s unique, thought provoking and very well written – 5 stars!