5 Star Review
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Editorial Book Review:
By Tony Collins
After reading Tokyo Tempos by Michael Pronko, I was completely drawn into his reflections on Japanese life, layered with the vibrancy and complexities of Tokyo itself. Pronko’s thirty years of living and teaching in Japan lend his observations a rare authenticity that resonates throughout the book. What I appreciated the most was his focus on the everyday, often-overlooked events that define living in Tokyo from navigating its complex transport systems to engaging in the seasonal transitions and cultural ceremonies that determine the city's rhythm. His writing strikes a delicate balance between mild humor and palpable regard for Japan's peculiarities and regulations, resulting in a realistic mental map of the city.
The stories in Tokyo Tempos capture life’s intimacy amid the city’s bustling landscape, illustrating how Tokyo breathes through the lives, hopes, and unique traditions of its people. The pacing of the book is wonderful—each piece stands alone yet collectively builds a mosaic of insights into Japan’s soul. Pronko’s prose is sharp, yet warmly personal, as he reflects on everything from the flavors of Japanese cuisine to the layered meanings in Tokyo’s ceremonies. What I enjoyed most was how he portrays Japan not just as a backdrop but as a living entity that influences and is influenced by its inhabitants.
Overall, Tokyo Tempos is more than a living travel narrative; it's an invitation to see the city through Pronko's eyes and experiences. It's great for anyone interested in Japanese culture or wanting a literary overview of Tokyo. This book gave me a new appreciation for Tokyo's complex beauty, reminding me of the careful balance of tradition and modernity that makes this city and Japan as a whole so alluring.
About the Author
Michael Pronko
Michael Pronko is a Tokyo-based writer of murder, memoir, and music. His writing about Tokyo life and his character-driven mysteries have won awards and five-star reviews. Kirkus Reviews selected his second novel, The Moving Blade for their Best Books of 2018. The Last Train won the Shelf Unbound Competition for Best Independently Published Book.
Michael also runs the website, Jazz in Japan, which covers the vibrant jazz scene in Tokyo and Yokohama. During his 20 years in Japan, he has written about Japanese culture, art, society, and politics for Newsweek Japan, The Japan Times, and Artscape Japan. He has read his essays on NHK TV and done programs for Nippon Television based on his writings.
A philosophy major, Michael traveled for years, ducking in and out of graduate schools, before finishing his PhD on Charles Dickens and film. He finally settled in Tokyo as a professor of American Literature at Meiji Gakuin University. His seminars focus on contemporary novels, short stories and film adaptations.
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