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Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else by Simon Paul Wilson
My name is Yuko Zen and I am somewhere else ... After a strange encounter with a beautiful girl in a Chinese take-away, Chris Winter discovers she's left her journal behind. He only opens it to search for her contact details, but he's quickly pulled into her mysterious world – a nameless Asian city filled with tales of Buddhist dogs, hedgehogs and yogurt pots, and a magical girl named Pixie. When Chris is totally hooked, Yuko's journal takes an unexpected turn. It starts to talk to him ... Magical (sur)realism for Young Adults of all ages, editors at Harper Collins have likened YUKO ZEN to works by Audrey Niffenegger and Haruki Murakami.
Paperback
First published October 31, 2014
30 people want to read
About the author
Simon Paul Wilson
13 books35 followersSimon Paul Wilson is a U.K. based writer of horror, sci-fi, and magic realism.
He is the author of GhostCityGirl, the first in a cyberpunk horror trilogy, See You When The World Ends, and Baggage, co-written with Matt Wildasin.
When not writing, Simon listens to post and prog rock at a very loud volume. He also plays a mean air bass.
He is the author of GhostCityGirl, the first in a cyberpunk horror trilogy, See You When The World Ends, and Baggage, co-written with Matt Wildasin.
When not writing, Simon listens to post and prog rock at a very loud volume. He also plays a mean air bass.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 13, 2015
My word, this book blew me away! This is the kind of YA book I've been wanting for years but have had to sit through endless paranormal love triangles or horrible gritty drug addicted runaways instead. So let's break this masterpiece down:
STORY: We follow a chance encounter of a Christopher Winter, who ends up in the possession of a journal belonging to a girl called Yuko Zen. The journal however has more to it than meets the eye and Chris is about to discover some strange and startling secrets.
This is a pretty original premise and the constant tension of the journal's secret had me hooked! It also gets into its stride pretty quick so you're not waiting pages and pages for something to happen, and it's very well paced.
CHARACTERS: While Chris is technically the protagonist, the star of the show has to be Yuko herself. She's painted very believably and we come to know all her mannerisms and habits and it's like being right there with her. We also get to know her best friend Pixie, her mother, and a few other side characters here and there. While there's not a large cast, I feel this lets the relationships come across as more intimate, and also reflects Yuko's personality as someone who only has a few close friends and is an introvert at heart.
On the slight downside, Chris is perhaps drowned out a bit by Yuko as he's not quite as memorable, but the author chose the framing of this novel carefully and it doesn't hurt the story.
SETTING/ VOICE: Most of the story is told through Yuko, and her voice is enticing. It's so believable and trustworthy you want to read on as much as Chris does! You feel her joys and sorrows through each and every word, and the nameless Asian city is pictured and described clearly. I had no problem imaging the array of cafes/ restaurants and apartment blocks.
PRESENTATION: The text is clear, well formatted and I only spotted one typo (a word repetition I think?). I will say though that the cover does let the book's content down a bit, as while it's simple, I don't find it particularly eye catching.
OVERALL: This book is brilliant. The writing is beautiful and intricate, easy to get into, the characters are charming, and the reveal of the story's final secret is definitely all worth the careful build up. I'm so pleased I was able to rekindle my spark for YA after all the dross I've had to sift through lately. Highly, highly recommended!
STORY: We follow a chance encounter of a Christopher Winter, who ends up in the possession of a journal belonging to a girl called Yuko Zen. The journal however has more to it than meets the eye and Chris is about to discover some strange and startling secrets.
This is a pretty original premise and the constant tension of the journal's secret had me hooked! It also gets into its stride pretty quick so you're not waiting pages and pages for something to happen, and it's very well paced.
CHARACTERS: While Chris is technically the protagonist, the star of the show has to be Yuko herself. She's painted very believably and we come to know all her mannerisms and habits and it's like being right there with her. We also get to know her best friend Pixie, her mother, and a few other side characters here and there. While there's not a large cast, I feel this lets the relationships come across as more intimate, and also reflects Yuko's personality as someone who only has a few close friends and is an introvert at heart.
On the slight downside, Chris is perhaps drowned out a bit by Yuko as he's not quite as memorable, but the author chose the framing of this novel carefully and it doesn't hurt the story.
SETTING/ VOICE: Most of the story is told through Yuko, and her voice is enticing. It's so believable and trustworthy you want to read on as much as Chris does! You feel her joys and sorrows through each and every word, and the nameless Asian city is pictured and described clearly. I had no problem imaging the array of cafes/ restaurants and apartment blocks.
PRESENTATION: The text is clear, well formatted and I only spotted one typo (a word repetition I think?). I will say though that the cover does let the book's content down a bit, as while it's simple, I don't find it particularly eye catching.
OVERALL: This book is brilliant. The writing is beautiful and intricate, easy to get into, the characters are charming, and the reveal of the story's final secret is definitely all worth the careful build up. I'm so pleased I was able to rekindle my spark for YA after all the dross I've had to sift through lately. Highly, highly recommended!
July 20, 2015
A young Englishman, ordering a Chinese takeaway, picks up a leather bound book dropped by a strange, oriental-looking girl. The book is the girl’s diary: the Englishman knows it is wrong to read a stranger’s diary, but he feels compelled to do exactly that—and in the process discovers why he was meant to read it.
Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else has the twin virtues of being a straightforward and effortless read, yet, at the same time, it contains philosophical depths that cause the reader to stop and think hard. I could easily turn this review into a mini-essay on karma, or paradox, or oriental ghosts, bereavement, teenage relationships, oriental cooking, theories about the self-conscious narrator or any of a dozen or more other subjects that this fascinating novel touches upon, but to do so would be to risk giving away too much of the story. The plot twists took even this cynical reviewer by surprise (the clues are all there, hidden in plain sight) and I dare not say too much otherwise I might spoil those twists for next reader. You will have to take my word for it: Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else will both engage and enlighten you, and its eponymous central character will stay with you long after you have closed the book.
Finally: I am convinced that this is a book that ought to come with its own soundtrack. (Or at least its own mix tape—read the book and you will know why.)
I do not hesitate to give Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else five stars. It is a book that should be on everyone’s To Read list.
Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else has the twin virtues of being a straightforward and effortless read, yet, at the same time, it contains philosophical depths that cause the reader to stop and think hard. I could easily turn this review into a mini-essay on karma, or paradox, or oriental ghosts, bereavement, teenage relationships, oriental cooking, theories about the self-conscious narrator or any of a dozen or more other subjects that this fascinating novel touches upon, but to do so would be to risk giving away too much of the story. The plot twists took even this cynical reviewer by surprise (the clues are all there, hidden in plain sight) and I dare not say too much otherwise I might spoil those twists for next reader. You will have to take my word for it: Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else will both engage and enlighten you, and its eponymous central character will stay with you long after you have closed the book.
Finally: I am convinced that this is a book that ought to come with its own soundtrack. (Or at least its own mix tape—read the book and you will know why.)
I do not hesitate to give Yuko Zen is Somewhere Else five stars. It is a book that should be on everyone’s To Read list.
February 21, 2016
Yuko Zen is in my heart. When I picked up this book I wanted to be totally surprised. I have a few friends who love it and so I didn't read the back cover. I didn't read the reviews here. I just purchased the paperback, waited for it to come in the mail and dove in. I have to say that I agree with my friends. Simon Paul Wilson and Yuko Zen are a stunning duo.
What is it about? I don't want to give that away. Told through Yuko's diary and Christopher's mind this book is fantastical, at times haunting and ends with great heart. I love books based in oriental culture and so that also was a great plus for me. As I read I actually began to feel as if I was Christopher, the man who discovers Yuko's diary. No lie, there was a passage that I literally thought was written specifically for me. I wondered how Simon got in my mind. NO BOOK has made me feel like that before. It is the mark of a highly talented author.
Pick it up and enjoy. Expect to be in wonder, to be haunted and most of all to feel great care and love for Yuko and the beauty of who she is.
What is it about? I don't want to give that away. Told through Yuko's diary and Christopher's mind this book is fantastical, at times haunting and ends with great heart. I love books based in oriental culture and so that also was a great plus for me. As I read I actually began to feel as if I was Christopher, the man who discovers Yuko's diary. No lie, there was a passage that I literally thought was written specifically for me. I wondered how Simon got in my mind. NO BOOK has made me feel like that before. It is the mark of a highly talented author.
Pick it up and enjoy. Expect to be in wonder, to be haunted and most of all to feel great care and love for Yuko and the beauty of who she is.
December 2, 2019
An amazing story! Read it a second time and had such a great time!
Chris Winter has no idea his life is about to change when he discovers a journal left behind by a beautiful girl in a Chinese takeaway. He opens the journal and then finds himself reading it.
I was totally hooked from the very beginning, eager to learn more about Yuko Zen’s world. The story is full of twists and turns, and you never know where the next chapter is going to take you.
Simon Paul Wilson is an extremely gifted storyteller. Can’t wait to read his future releases!
Chris Winter has no idea his life is about to change when he discovers a journal left behind by a beautiful girl in a Chinese takeaway. He opens the journal and then finds himself reading it.
I was totally hooked from the very beginning, eager to learn more about Yuko Zen’s world. The story is full of twists and turns, and you never know where the next chapter is going to take you.
Simon Paul Wilson is an extremely gifted storyteller. Can’t wait to read his future releases!
January 22, 2015
Would you read someone's diary if you found it?
It begins innocently enough, with an invasion of privacy over noodles, and ends up ... well, that would be telling.
A full review of Yuko Zen would require spoilers and this deserves to be read spoiler free.
I'll just say that the first few chapters seem fairly straightforward, then it becomes intriguing, spooky and downright exciting by the end.
As I was reading those first few chapters, I wasn't prepared for the absolute classic that this book was to become. Do yourself a favour and start reading this now.
I finished this last night - I was planning to leave the last bit for the next day and get some sleep, but I just couldn't put it down.
So thank you, Simon Paul Wilson, for my bleary-eyed performance at work today ;)
It begins innocently enough, with an invasion of privacy over noodles, and ends up ... well, that would be telling.
A full review of Yuko Zen would require spoilers and this deserves to be read spoiler free.
I'll just say that the first few chapters seem fairly straightforward, then it becomes intriguing, spooky and downright exciting by the end.
As I was reading those first few chapters, I wasn't prepared for the absolute classic that this book was to become. Do yourself a favour and start reading this now.
I finished this last night - I was planning to leave the last bit for the next day and get some sleep, but I just couldn't put it down.
So thank you, Simon Paul Wilson, for my bleary-eyed performance at work today ;)
September 18, 2016
If, like me, you're tired of dystopia and dysfunction and a sucker for young outsiders with unusual abilities, you'll probably enjoy this oddball fantasy novel. It begins quietly, with Chris Winter getting dinner from his favorite Chinese take-out joint after a long day at work. His conversation with the owner is interrupted by an inexplicably arresting young woman who studies the menu, then slips away without ordering -- but she leaves behind a large black book. Chris, looking for contact info so he can return the book, discovers it to be the journal of a girl calling herself Yuko Zen. He begins to read and finds himself captivated by the sunny personality of this quirky young woman at the beginning of her adult life. At first, she relates everyday experiences and memories of school, home, and friendship -- until she experiences devastating loss and everything changes. Chris has the strange feeling that she somehow wants him to read her private journal, but is nevertheless startled when she addresses him directly. From there, the journal becomes of record of superpowers, ghostly visitations, and the opportunity for Yuko to rewrite her own story.
Wilson captures well the sometimes-goofy-sometimes-heartfelt tone of a young person's journal, written as if for a reader yet not meant to be seen. The journal device provides a clever way of side-stepping the "rules" about seamlessly integrating the parts of your story and avoiding info dumps. Yuko has an appealingly positive attitude and sense of self. She knows that she doesn't know everything, but she has strong opinions and she's not afraid to state them. It's easy to get caught up in the little snippets of her life, and then be caught up short when things take a darker turn.
While the ending was satisfying in a Back to the Future kind of way, I would have appreciated a little more about the rules among the forces influencing Yuko's life that allow that ending to happen. I also found it tiresome after a while that every woman to enter the story seemed to be incredibly beautiful in exactly the same way. However, these were small matters that only slightly detracted from my enjoyment of this unusual, heartfelt tale.
Wilson captures well the sometimes-goofy-sometimes-heartfelt tone of a young person's journal, written as if for a reader yet not meant to be seen. The journal device provides a clever way of side-stepping the "rules" about seamlessly integrating the parts of your story and avoiding info dumps. Yuko has an appealingly positive attitude and sense of self. She knows that she doesn't know everything, but she has strong opinions and she's not afraid to state them. It's easy to get caught up in the little snippets of her life, and then be caught up short when things take a darker turn.
While the ending was satisfying in a Back to the Future kind of way, I would have appreciated a little more about the rules among the forces influencing Yuko's life that allow that ending to happen. I also found it tiresome after a while that every woman to enter the story seemed to be incredibly beautiful in exactly the same way. However, these were small matters that only slightly detracted from my enjoyment of this unusual, heartfelt tale.
April 12, 2016
Okay, this is a bit difficult. I started reading this book and it annoyed me no end. Of the two narrators, the main one is Yuko Zen herself, who on the first pages comes across as a super happy, hyped-up teenie with an exclamation mark addiction.
If you're anything like me and this threatens to put you off...do yourself a favour. Persist. Keep on reading. She gets better, and the story is really worth it.
I think the big question this book asks - and in a way, answers - is whether or not you can go up against fate and win. For me, reading this was a bit like spelunking. You enter reluctantly, but once you're inside, you realize you've been drawn in and it's scary and pretty at the same time. There were a few twists where I had to suspend disbelief for a while, things where I thought that they'd need a very good explanation...but those explanations came, and in a way that was at once very simple and very complicated.
If you're anything like me and this threatens to put you off...do yourself a favour. Persist. Keep on reading. She gets better, and the story is really worth it.
I think the big question this book asks - and in a way, answers - is whether or not you can go up against fate and win. For me, reading this was a bit like spelunking. You enter reluctantly, but once you're inside, you realize you've been drawn in and it's scary and pretty at the same time. There were a few twists where I had to suspend disbelief for a while, things where I thought that they'd need a very good explanation...but those explanations came, and in a way that was at once very simple and very complicated.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews