Max Danger: The Adventures of an Expat in Tokyo

by Robert J. Collins

Like New condition paperback book, no marks, no wear.

Genres: Japan, Fiction, Humor, Travel

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Lorna Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert J. Collins (no relation) has a great knack for capturing the expat experience. Having lived in Japan for over 2-1/2 years, we experienced many of the same things described in this book. I know it was written many years ago, but this is based on habits embedded in Japanese culture. Written with tongue firmly in cheek and loving respect for Japan and its people, you will enjoy every minute.

[Tom Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is a re-read and no doubt, I'll read it again in 5-6 years!
An amusing collection of short stories about an American expat (Max Danger) and his family moving to Tokyo.
It certainly shows it age with some of the views taken and you have to remember this was written pre-mobile phones, Google, Wikipedia etc...
Overall, a good read and I'd like to find more books like this set in 80s/90s Japan.

[Loren Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories shows its age considerably, but it's a quirky look at what living in Tokyo was like for an expat businessman in the 1980s, at the height of the "bubble economy." Personally, I couldn't get over the way they took taxis everywhere around Tokyo. Taxis! Seriously!? Love it!

My experience as an expat teacher 20 years later was incredibly different, though of course some things about Japan never change. Love this collection and have re-read it many times when I feel homesick for Japan.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous, slightly dark view of American buisnessman in the inscruitable east. Some very funny bits, but not very sustainable. Read on the way back from Japan. Best bit--office planning [something] for next week.

(written in 1994)

[Mike Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some stories have aged better than others, but after 30 years....Serious Hirose still cracks me up.

[Jeppie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this in 2025, this book is dated and presents the author’s ignorance of Japanese culture as amusement.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a fantastic read!
I greatly enjoyed the stories. It’s been a great comfort as I’ve made my own transition to living in Japan.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and often funny anecdotes. Fast read due to the writing style. Makes me want to visit Japan and write a book about it.

[rabbitprincess]

not rated; abandoned about 16 pages in.

I knew I would not get along with this book when the main character begins the book with a late-night trip to a "hostess club" for work, and the employees consistently refer to him as "Dangerous-san" when his last name is just "Danger". Very irritating! Also the first appearance of his wife featured her nagging him about not getting them a maid, and I did not think that was the best way to be introduced to her. Perhaps this is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction on my part, abandoning the book so soon, but you know the saying: so many books, so little time!

I still am going to try one of Collins' Tokyo mysteries, which I have on hand -- I haven't written him off completely yet.

[Sam Niemeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did give the book a low rating, but it wasn’t bad. It was just very amateurish, by which I mean that sometimes the story was difficult to follow because of the writing style, which was a little unpolished and inconsistent. I read the entire book sitting on the library floor because the sock was on the dorm room door (if you know what I mean) and I had no where to be.

It was quirky, funny, and I enjoyed the anecdotes quite a bit. I think it’s worth reading if you are interested in Japanese culture, are planning to move to Japan, or similar. I imagine it really captures the culture shock well.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a Japan traveller and post study intern/short term expat a couple years ago and despite the books age (first published in the late 1980s) it was a very fun read and quite a few situations so typical.

Many of the things written about in this book could have been experienced by myself in more or the other similar way. All in all it was a fun read though some of the episodes overlived themselfs such as the episode of head office correspondance via facsimile.

This does not make it any less fun to read as anyone with Japan experience will have a similar feel towards this book.

[Mike Montesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book just before I went to Japan. It is pretty funny, even though it does play on stereotypes (well, exaggerations maybe?) of Japan during the Bubble. After I got there, I realized the stories in the book were little more than the tall tales you heard at the bar almost any Friday night in Roppongi. Still, it's got it's charm, and makes me nostalgic for the craziness of late 80's early 90's Tokyo.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a funny book about experiences in Japan. It was quick reading due to its humorous anecdotes on differences in American and Japanese culture and because it was well written. He didn't address the white car issue however.

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

pam and tracy you have to read these if you haven't!