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Tune in Tokyo: The Gaijin Diaries
Everyone wants to escape their boring, stagnant lives full of inertia and regret. But so few people actually have the bravery to run -- run away from everything and selflessly seek out personal fulfillment on the other side of the world where they don't understand anything and won't be expected to. The world is full of cowards. Tim Anderson was pushing thirty and working a string of dead-end jobs when he made the spontaneous decision to pack his bags and move to Japan, “where my status as a U.S. passport holder and card-carrying ‘American English’ speaker was an asset rather than a liability.” It was a gutsy move, especially for a tall, white, gay Southerner who didn’t speak a lick of Japanese. But his life desperately needed a shot of adrenaline, and what better way to get one than to leave behind everything he had ever known to move to “a tiny, overcrowded island heaving with clever, sensibly proportioned people that make him look fat?” In Tokyo, Tim became a “gaijin,” an outsider whose stumbling progression through Japanese culture is minutely chronicled in these sixteen howlingly funny stories. Yet despite the steep learning curve and the seemingly constant humiliation, the gaijin from North Carolina gradually begins to find his way. Whether playing drums on the fly in an otherwise all-Japanese noise band or attempting to keep his English classroom clean when it’s invaded by an older female student with a dirty mind, Tim comes to realize that living a meaningful life is about expecting the unexpected…right when he least expects it.
292 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2010
About the author
Tim Anderson
2 books63 followersIn addition to Sweet Tooth, Tim Anderson is the author of Tune in Tokyo: The Gaijin Diaries, which Publishers Weekly called “laugh-out-loud funny,” Shelf Awareness called “so much fun,” and Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times completely ignored. He is an editor and lives in Brooklyn with his husband, Jimmy; his cat, Stella; and his yoga balance ball, Sheila. Tim also writes young adult historical fiction under the name T. Neill Anderson and blogs at seetimblog.blogspot.com. His favorite Little Debbie snack cake is the Fudge Round.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
January 23, 2012
Sigh. It's time's like this that I need Goodreads to change its rating system. I did not like this book, but I can't rate it one star (I rate the DaVinci code that, for reference, and nothing else deserves that rating, except maybe Mark Twain). Sooooo I gave it two stars, but don't let Goodreads fool you, this book is NOT "Ok".
So, it turns out Japan is crazy-fucked-up-interesting! And somehow the author makes me fall asleep when relaying the stories that should, by any reasonable metric, be interesting. I guess part of the problem is that I wanted stories ABOUT Japan, and what I got were stories that took place IN Japan. Most of the things I read could have taken place in any reasonably large American city.
The other problem with this book is that the author is formulaic. He describes a series of events, beginning calmly and slowly building a crescendo of outlandish metaphors and exaggerations. By the end of the chapter, you feel like you are reading an Oatmeal Valentines card... I'll pause while you click the below link for reference:
http://theoatmeal.com/horrible2
... Harry Potter plots have more variation. Sad but true.
So, it turns out Japan is crazy-fucked-up-interesting! And somehow the author makes me fall asleep when relaying the stories that should, by any reasonable metric, be interesting. I guess part of the problem is that I wanted stories ABOUT Japan, and what I got were stories that took place IN Japan. Most of the things I read could have taken place in any reasonably large American city.
The other problem with this book is that the author is formulaic. He describes a series of events, beginning calmly and slowly building a crescendo of outlandish metaphors and exaggerations. By the end of the chapter, you feel like you are reading an Oatmeal Valentines card... I'll pause while you click the below link for reference:
http://theoatmeal.com/horrible2
... Harry Potter plots have more variation. Sad but true.
February 9, 2017
I had seen this book mentioned on Andrew Sullivan's blog a while ago, forgotten about it, and then recently saw it on my library's New Books shelf, so thought I'd check it out.
Gay American underemployed fellow (phi beta kappa from UNC isn't exactly chopped liver) decides to chuck it all for a job teaching ESL in Japan. Well, he does remind us that he's gay, but there's little about the gay Japanese "scene" until a chapter late in the book. Unfortunately, that's about when references to drug use begin to escalate ... ho hum. He's funny, but by the end the humor seemed forced to me. Moreover, Tim doesn't explain that he isn't single until late in the book either. Actually, he doesn't explain his relationship with Jimmy much at all; he's abruptly introduced as a "given" and the chapter runs with his visit.
Recommended, though I wouldn't blame folks who say they couldn't finish it.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2017
I decided to listen to the audio edition, not recalling the details of the story, so it was "new" for me. This time I wasn't as taken with the drugs, as I was how . . . ummmm . . . flamboyant the narration made him seem, which made it tough to read the book in more than small doses. There are many funny episodes, such as having a crazy lady "act out" seated at the next restaurant table, but a fair amount of the time it's a bit self-absorbed. The audio experience may be more like hearing Tim relate the episodes himself; however, I'm not sure folks with a low tolerance for drama queens (to be blunt about it) could manage that format.
Gay American underemployed fellow (phi beta kappa from UNC isn't exactly chopped liver) decides to chuck it all for a job teaching ESL in Japan. Well, he does remind us that he's gay, but there's little about the gay Japanese "scene" until a chapter late in the book. Unfortunately, that's about when references to drug use begin to escalate ... ho hum. He's funny, but by the end the humor seemed forced to me. Moreover, Tim doesn't explain that he isn't single until late in the book either. Actually, he doesn't explain his relationship with Jimmy much at all; he's abruptly introduced as a "given" and the chapter runs with his visit.
Recommended, though I wouldn't blame folks who say they couldn't finish it.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2017
I decided to listen to the audio edition, not recalling the details of the story, so it was "new" for me. This time I wasn't as taken with the drugs, as I was how . . . ummmm . . . flamboyant the narration made him seem, which made it tough to read the book in more than small doses. There are many funny episodes, such as having a crazy lady "act out" seated at the next restaurant table, but a fair amount of the time it's a bit self-absorbed. The audio experience may be more like hearing Tim relate the episodes himself; however, I'm not sure folks with a low tolerance for drama queens (to be blunt about it) could manage that format.
December 30, 2019
รักมุกตลกปัญญาอ่อน กับมุกตลกแบบเกย์ๆ หลายอย่างในเล่มนี้ ผู้เขียนเป็นอเมริกันชนที่จับพลัดจับพลูเข้าไปลุยเดี่ยวเป็นครูสอนพิเศษของสถาบันสอนภาษาในประเทศที่ (เค้าว่ากันว่า) เทิดทูนฝรั่งจากสุดขั้วหัวใจ!
แอนเดอร์สันเขียนหนังสือสนุก และมโนเก่ง นี่หมายถึงความสามารถเล่าเรื่องในจินตนาการของตนประปนกับเส้นเรื่องหลักได้เป็นหน้าสองหน้าก่อนจะวนกลับมาเล่าเรื่องเดิม ซึ่งบางทีก็ลงตัวทำให้เรื่องน่าติดตามมากขึ้น แต่บางทีก็ต้องเปิดย้อนกลับไปดู นี่เธอมโนล้วนสามหน้าเลยนี่หว่าทิม!
หลายเรื่องเป็นมุมมองจากอเมริกันเก้งล้วนๆ และค่อนข้างแตกต่างจากมุมมองของชาวไทยที่เป็นชาวเอเชียเหมือนกัน ที่จริงอ่านไปก็ไม่ค่อยมีอะไรเป็นเนื้อเท่าไร เหมาะเป็นหนังสือวางไว้โชว์ให้แขกอ่านเอาตลกโปกฮา เว้นแต่คุณจะชอบอ่านบทความจิกกัดสไตล์นิตยสารปอป (ที่แตกดับไปแล้วเป็นชาติแต่ยังมีอิทธิพลต่อเด็กยุคนั้นในหลายๆ แง่) ซึ่งผมชอบนะ
แอนเดอร์สันเขียนหนังสือสนุก และมโนเก่ง นี่หมายถึงความสามารถเล่าเรื่องในจินตนาการของตนประปนกับเส้นเรื่องหลักได้เป็นหน้าสองหน้าก่อนจะวนกลับมาเล่าเรื่องเดิม ซึ่งบางทีก็ลงตัวทำให้เรื่องน่าติดตามมากขึ้น แต่บางทีก็ต้องเปิดย้อนกลับไปดู นี่เธอมโนล้วนสามหน้าเลยนี่หว่าทิม!
หลายเรื่องเป็นมุมมองจากอเมริกันเก้งล้วนๆ และค่อนข้างแตกต่างจากมุมมองของชาวไทยที่เป็นชาวเอเชียเหมือนกัน ที่จริงอ่านไปก็ไม่ค่อยมีอะไรเป็นเนื้อเท่าไร เหมาะเป็นหนังสือวางไว้โชว์ให้แขกอ่านเอาตลกโปกฮา เว้นแต่คุณจะชอบอ่านบทความจิกกัดสไตล์นิตยสารปอป (ที่แตกดับไปแล้วเป็นชาติแต่ยังมีอิทธิพลต่อเด็กยุคนั้นในหลายๆ แง่) ซึ่งผมชอบนะ
October 29, 2017
I had read the author's book, 'Sweet Tooth' and had enjoyed it, so when I discovered he had written a book about his experience living in Japan, I knew I had to read it immediately. I am interested in Japan and the Japan experience, impressions of living in Japan and almost any kind of travel writing. Especially Japan, however. Mr. Anderson went to Japan to teach English to students of all varieties and fell in love with the country. Most people do. I enjoyed his observations and stories about his students, cultural differences experiences. Just as I liked him in 'Sweet Tooth', I liked him here as well and hope he continues to write about his life.
August 6, 2012
The entire time I read Tune in Tokyo, I was wondering why I wasn't enjoying it more. It would have made a good blog, probably, and I can see it working as a series of email updates to friends, but as a book it's disjointed and feels repetitive.
Really, I think the main problem here is that I don't click with Anderson's style. He makes sweeping generalizations and uses strange turns of phrase ("Yasuko's eyelids dim") and talks about drinking and recreational drug use but somehow makes both boring. It just all made me want to roll my eyes a lot! And then I felt mean because he seems like a decent enough dude underneath it all, but comes off as self-involved and spoiled in Tune in Tokyo. That's probably a hazard that comes with publishing something that IS essentially a diary, after all.
If you enjoy Anderson's sense of humor and voice (maybe try the Kindle sample first?), you'll probably enjoy this book, as long as you don't go into it expecting a travel memoir: this is a book about Anderson, not about Japan.
*************
TOTALLY IRRELEVANT FAVORITE TYPO: "Stationary" instead of "stationery," more than once. This is always one of my favorite typos, but it made me giggle more than usual when Anderson discussed a washi paper store . . . "For me, it's a big pile of 'meh,' but those who are into stationary had better fasten their seatbelts."
Really, I think the main problem here is that I don't click with Anderson's style. He makes sweeping generalizations and uses strange turns of phrase ("Yasuko's eyelids dim") and talks about drinking and recreational drug use but somehow makes both boring. It just all made me want to roll my eyes a lot! And then I felt mean because he seems like a decent enough dude underneath it all, but comes off as self-involved and spoiled in Tune in Tokyo. That's probably a hazard that comes with publishing something that IS essentially a diary, after all.
If you enjoy Anderson's sense of humor and voice (maybe try the Kindle sample first?), you'll probably enjoy this book, as long as you don't go into it expecting a travel memoir: this is a book about Anderson, not about Japan.
*************
TOTALLY IRRELEVANT FAVORITE TYPO: "Stationary" instead of "stationery," more than once. This is always one of my favorite typos, but it made me giggle more than usual when Anderson discussed a washi paper store . . . "For me, it's a big pile of 'meh,' but those who are into stationary had better fasten their seatbelts."
October 16, 2013
I love reading about Japan and the Japanese culture. I find it fascinating beautiful and elegant. However this book managed to capture none of this and was more about drugs, clubs and sex. Such a disappointment.
July 17, 2020
This was lighthearted and funny. I don't usually find myself laughing out loud at books, but this one got me giggling. A good quick read for someone who doesn't mind profanity.
March 20, 2012
I unreservedly adored every page.
His wit is sharp, his jokes pointed and his language filthy. Just how I like it. I can only say I wish it had been longer.
Perhaps it was because the narrator/protagonist/author is so amazingly much like me. Substitute his being a gay man for my being a straight woman, and this book could just as well have been about me if I finally packed up and headed to Japan to teach English (as I often fantasize about doing.) I've done my stints abroad, and know the sort of things that strike you when you are in a completely new culture. Heck, I even currently wait tables and dust off my college diploma, play the viola and enjoy the club scene from time to time. We have similar natures, histories, senses of humor and impulses. Perhaps this biases me unfairly toward loving this book.
But I really think almost anyone with a fun-loving, slightly perverse nature, and any sort of culture-curiosity can enjoy this. Most especially those who have been to Japan or have felt the bite of the Japanese Bug. The author lands himself in Tokyo, unable to speak a lick of Japanese, and falls head over drug-addled heels in love with the quirky people that are the Japanese.
I would especially recommend this book as a pre- or post-trip to Japan read especially.
January 25, 2012
This is a most colorful rendition of a Tokyo experience than any I've ever read. Tim Anderson makes you feel, not as if he is selling Tokyo, but as if he is immersing you in his experience in a new world. I found myself laughing at the top of my lungs before I finished the prologue. If he were to write his memoirs, I would snatch it up in a heartbeat. Not because he's famous, but merely for the anticipation of the colorful descriptions.
January 16, 2011
This was a really hilarious adventure through Japan. I couldn't stop reading and giggling. My personal favorite bit was the Empress of Ginza chapter, but the whole book is excellent. Definitely would recommend it.
January 31, 2012
Interesting diary of the author's two years spent teaching English in Tokyo. This probably won't really appeal to anyone who hasn't spent some time there but nevertheless, a funny take on life as a foreigner in that great city.
October 5, 2020
Read for 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt “a book set in Japan”.
I bought this one in Spring 2013 after I booked a trip to Tokyo and had grand plans of reading it before I left. But things got a little crazy and I never read it! So here it is book number seven on my Kindle (out of 2,658) and I finally read it for the Popsugar Reading Challenge! And therein lies the reason I participate every year. It forces me to look at what I ALREADY have and read it.
Tune in Tokyo is a travel memoir fish out of water story of Tim Anderson and the two years he spent teaching English in Tokyo. It has hilarious chapters covering everything from crazy roommates, seductive Lolita students, Japanese/American cultural differences, gay Manga and Tokyo street fashion. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it for readers that enjoy observational humor and all things Tokyo!
I bought this one in Spring 2013 after I booked a trip to Tokyo and had grand plans of reading it before I left. But things got a little crazy and I never read it! So here it is book number seven on my Kindle (out of 2,658) and I finally read it for the Popsugar Reading Challenge! And therein lies the reason I participate every year. It forces me to look at what I ALREADY have and read it.
Tune in Tokyo is a travel memoir fish out of water story of Tim Anderson and the two years he spent teaching English in Tokyo. It has hilarious chapters covering everything from crazy roommates, seductive Lolita students, Japanese/American cultural differences, gay Manga and Tokyo street fashion. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it for readers that enjoy observational humor and all things Tokyo!
July 16, 2021
Tune in Tokyo is a book on Tim Anderson's experience as an English teacher in Japan. If you want to learn a lot about Tokyo this book isn't for you. But the author never claimed that this is the case.
What we have is a hilarious collection of his experiences in Japan. While tis book isn't here to teach you Japanese culture we get some of it from the amusing incidents that happened to him. I loved his sense of humor as well as his unusual trip to Japan.
What we have is a hilarious collection of his experiences in Japan. While tis book isn't here to teach you Japanese culture we get some of it from the amusing incidents that happened to him. I loved his sense of humor as well as his unusual trip to Japan.
March 17, 2012
I loved Anderson’s account of his two years in modern day Tokyo. First of all, his sense of humor is wonderful. I felt like I was right there in Japan with him. Anderson went to Japan to teach English. At first he taught English through school classes. Later, he did some independent contracting. He taught some children who had lived in America for a few years so unlike the adult students at the schools, they were not impressed by Anderson, as they had already been exposed to American culture (TV, movies, language and schools). So Anderson was challenged in trying to get the children to do their studies.
Anderson gets into a discussion about how the Japanese women are attracted to men who were not Japanese. Anderson noticed that no matter how nerdy or ugly a guy might be, he still would attract beautiful Japanese women. Anderson concluded that perhaps the women also were looking for “free” English lessons. One female student liked Anderson, but he was a homosexual, so he had to distract her and finally she became interested in another American. Anderson was happy the other man came to his rescue to “save the gay.”
I enjoyed Anderson’s tales of trying to teach the Japanese English and his own task in trying to learn Japanese. Much of his teaching was in trying to have his Japanese students have a conversation in English. They discussed almost anything and everything, from the mundane to challenging or inappropriate. For instance, he recalls one class wherein he had a student who liked to get a reaction out of other students in the class by bringing up such topics as the fact that when she and her husband got married, they agreed not to “fart” in front of each other. Then of course, the students asked Anderson to explain what “fart,” meant, which was an awkward situation for Anderson to be in.
Anderson defines a gaijin as a foreigner or a pest, and a fat alien who gets stared at on trains. The Japanese do, in fact, tend to stare at non-Japanese on trains, and they do think Americans in particular are mostly fat and strange. Anderson is tall so he stands out, however, he wrote that he lost 28 pounds while living in Tokyo.
Anderson goes on to write about some of the culture and food. Anderson plays the viola and joins a band. He writes about the friendships he made with some of his roommates and other teachers. He also wrote about one roommate who only lasted a short time before being dismissed from teaching as he was often in a drunken stoper, which just proves as I have myself experienced, that often most people have at least one scary roommate story to share.
Anderson wrote about his American boyfriend Jimmy’s visit to Tokyo. Jimmy, who is very matter-of-fact type of guy and tells it like it is, was often misunderstood in Japan where politeness is generally a necessity. However, it was because of Anderson’s association with Jimmy that finally, after two years, he decides to return to America and to his relationship.
Anderson gets into a discussion about how the Japanese women are attracted to men who were not Japanese. Anderson noticed that no matter how nerdy or ugly a guy might be, he still would attract beautiful Japanese women. Anderson concluded that perhaps the women also were looking for “free” English lessons. One female student liked Anderson, but he was a homosexual, so he had to distract her and finally she became interested in another American. Anderson was happy the other man came to his rescue to “save the gay.”
I enjoyed Anderson’s tales of trying to teach the Japanese English and his own task in trying to learn Japanese. Much of his teaching was in trying to have his Japanese students have a conversation in English. They discussed almost anything and everything, from the mundane to challenging or inappropriate. For instance, he recalls one class wherein he had a student who liked to get a reaction out of other students in the class by bringing up such topics as the fact that when she and her husband got married, they agreed not to “fart” in front of each other. Then of course, the students asked Anderson to explain what “fart,” meant, which was an awkward situation for Anderson to be in.
Anderson defines a gaijin as a foreigner or a pest, and a fat alien who gets stared at on trains. The Japanese do, in fact, tend to stare at non-Japanese on trains, and they do think Americans in particular are mostly fat and strange. Anderson is tall so he stands out, however, he wrote that he lost 28 pounds while living in Tokyo.
Anderson goes on to write about some of the culture and food. Anderson plays the viola and joins a band. He writes about the friendships he made with some of his roommates and other teachers. He also wrote about one roommate who only lasted a short time before being dismissed from teaching as he was often in a drunken stoper, which just proves as I have myself experienced, that often most people have at least one scary roommate story to share.
Anderson wrote about his American boyfriend Jimmy’s visit to Tokyo. Jimmy, who is very matter-of-fact type of guy and tells it like it is, was often misunderstood in Japan where politeness is generally a necessity. However, it was because of Anderson’s association with Jimmy that finally, after two years, he decides to return to America and to his relationship.
January 27, 2012
This is easily the worst book I have ever read.
The whole thing was pointless and just a shocking waste of time. I wanted to kill myself for most of this book.
I would not recommend this to my worst enemy.
The whole thing was pointless and just a shocking waste of time. I wanted to kill myself for most of this book.
I would not recommend this to my worst enemy.
June 13, 2012
Generally amusing account of an American man teaching English in Japan. A little reminiscent of Sedaris' habit of self-deprecation, but not derivative. Gets good humor out of cultural differences without overtly mocking. I enjoyed it as a light read.
April 30, 2022
David Sedaris Does Tokyo--wait! David Sedaris did do Tokyo and that is the reason why this book initially was unable to find a publishing house. He had a literary agent but because Sedaris' book had just been published they couldn't get traction for this book so eventually the author self-published and then Amazon discovered it and wanted to give it a second chance. My favorite humor writer on Japan has always been dave Barry. But Anderson's humor is more like Sedaris, though I think Anderson is much funnier than David Sedaris--especially on Japan.
I am now reading three books written by people who went to Japan to teach English for a year or two --or three... Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton is a prize winning literary journey, Melana Watrous' If You Follow Me is a novel about a year the protagonist spent teaching English in a rural community as she mourned his father's suicide.... and Anderson's Gaijin Diaries is a hilarious romp through Tokyo. I took off one star because of a big flaw that Anderson let readers think he had broken with his boyfriend back home and so readers get broadsided when the boyfriend makes an appearance toward the end with a happily ever after,.,,,the scene about Roy in the Gaijin house was so funny. The jokes and humor are just fantastic.. though it felt like he was in a completely different Tokyo than I was.... but then again, the same goes for Barton's book, as her japan is so completely different than my Japan... and so it goes.... I do really recommend this book. It made me laugh during a time I really needed to laugh!
I am now reading three books written by people who went to Japan to teach English for a year or two --or three... Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton is a prize winning literary journey, Melana Watrous' If You Follow Me is a novel about a year the protagonist spent teaching English in a rural community as she mourned his father's suicide.... and Anderson's Gaijin Diaries is a hilarious romp through Tokyo. I took off one star because of a big flaw that Anderson let readers think he had broken with his boyfriend back home and so readers get broadsided when the boyfriend makes an appearance toward the end with a happily ever after,.,,,the scene about Roy in the Gaijin house was so funny. The jokes and humor are just fantastic.. though it felt like he was in a completely different Tokyo than I was.... but then again, the same goes for Barton's book, as her japan is so completely different than my Japan... and so it goes.... I do really recommend this book. It made me laugh during a time I really needed to laugh!
September 23, 2018
One of the funniest books I've listened to ever. Within the first 5 minutes I was chuckling (because I was at work) so much even my co-workers came over to ask me what was up. If you've ever needed a really good "feel good" story... this is it
October 8, 2020
I laughed out loud. Also, the pop culture reference drops in this book remind me of Ready Player One. And I am in the right age group to get them all. :)
October 23, 2020
In the ritual of gift giving I was gifted with this novel from my mother. We are both relatively young but found that the humor she found I was able to find myself as it crossed generations. I found this to be an enjoyable novel in which all the short stories were funny and relatable to me. Young, old, gay, straight, or a japenese enthusiest......you will find this novel to be quite enjoyable.
February 16, 2012
I borrowed this memoir through the Kindle free lending library. I'm so glad I did not pay for this piece of nonfiction.
Tim Anderson's memoir promised a recounting of his time teaching English in Japan. Unfortunately, the memoir is uneven with the author undecided about what he wants these recollections to be--an inspirational and humorous look at teaching English as a second language or a rant about drinking, porn-viewing, partying, drug usage, and looking for mister right.
Teachers have enough of an image problem without one of us describing his substance abuse and constant benders. Anderson should have stuck to the teaching stories and left the partying to memoirists like Stephen Tyler.
Tim Anderson's memoir promised a recounting of his time teaching English in Japan. Unfortunately, the memoir is uneven with the author undecided about what he wants these recollections to be--an inspirational and humorous look at teaching English as a second language or a rant about drinking, porn-viewing, partying, drug usage, and looking for mister right.
Teachers have enough of an image problem without one of us describing his substance abuse and constant benders. Anderson should have stuck to the teaching stories and left the partying to memoirists like Stephen Tyler.
December 29, 2011
I received 'Tune in Tokyo: The Gaijin Diaries' by Tim Anderson as a First Reads Giveaway from Goodreads.com. I found this book both informational and enjoyable. Informational in his explanations of the changes he made to acclimate himself to the foreign culture of Japan and enjoyable in his humor in sharing these things.
I recommend this book to people looking for a change, mulling over the possibilities. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading of travel. I also recommend it to people who enjoy reading a book with real humor, having a sense the absurd in life.
I recommend this book to people looking for a change, mulling over the possibilities. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading of travel. I also recommend it to people who enjoy reading a book with real humor, having a sense the absurd in life.
February 23, 2012
Anyone who has spent an extended time in Japan can find humor in this book. There are a few sections that ring true as absolutely real and you almost find yourself relieved by the fact that someone finds a few things just as messed up as you do.
However, if you look at it as someone who has been around the area for a long time you wonder why he is hung up on some very trivial things that and specific sub-culture aspects that anyone who has been here for a while hardly notices.
However, if you look at it as someone who has been around the area for a long time you wonder why he is hung up on some very trivial things that and specific sub-culture aspects that anyone who has been here for a while hardly notices.
May 19, 2015
Leaving for Tokyo in ten days. "Tune in Tokyo" has whetted my appetite and I can't wait to experience this futuristic city that I imagine to be oddly familiar yet alien. I suspect it will be like an urban acid trip. As a former ESL teacher abroad and as a gay man I could relate to many of the author's tales. I recommend this humorous memoir to anyone who plans to or has been an ESL teacher in a foreign country.
February 13, 2012
Imagine reading someone's travel diaries after they returned from an extended stay in a foreign country. That's how Tim Anderson's "Tune In Tokyo" is. Although some of his adventures in Japan are hilarious, I think that Tim's friends would get more of a kick out of it than the everyday reader. A few laugh out loud moments but overall forgettable.
January 12, 2012
This book is really funny. Japan was never someplace I had wanted to visit, but the way the author talks about it makes you want to go there. This book is like Eat, Pray, Love for gay American males.
January 15, 2012
I seem to enjoy many narratives of gaijin who experience Japan. Perhaps it is because I am not brave enough to experience it for myself. I saw this book advertised on goodreads and bought it from amazon soon after. It was enjoyable.
January 27, 2012
This was a very inexpensive Kindle book and it had me literally laughing out loud in places. It's stories about a gay, sarcastic, southern American and his adventures in Tokyo teaching Japanese folks to speak English. Definitely worth checking out.
May 23, 2012
A book of loosely chronological essays about a gay white male who decides to teach in Tokyo. I bought it on a whim as the Kindle Selection of the day, and was heartily amused through most of it. Can get a bit draggy, but ultimately a fun read - honestly, I kinda want him to be my new best friend.
May 24, 2012
Easy read. First timer Anderson overdoes the analogies and harps on about his gayness far too often, as this extension of not belonging in Japan. Sometimes very funny, but sometimes far less insightful than it assumes.
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