Ash

by Holly Thompson

A moving literary debut . . . A young American woman in Japan finds healing and forgiveness.

Genres: Fiction, Japan, Asia, Adult

292 pages, ebook

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Holly Thompson (www.hatbooks.com) is a longtime resident of Japan originally from Massachusetts. A graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction for children through adults. She is author of the verse novels Falling into the Dragon's Mouth, The Language Inside, and Orchards; the picture books Listening to Trees: George Nakashima, Woodworker; One Wave at a Time; Twilight Chant and The Wakame Gatherers, and the novel Ash. She compiled and edited Tomo: Friendship Through Fiction—An Anthology of Japan Teen Stories, a collection of 36 Japan-related short stories, including ten in translation. Holly teaches writing in Japan and the U.S. and visits schools worldwide.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying Tomo, I wanted to see what its editor had written and I discovered this, her first novel, set in Kagoshima, a city I visited, though briefly, earlier this year. I thought it would be interesting to read a contemporary novel set there. And it was, even though, or maybe especially because, there was no discernible volcanic activity when I was there in the winter. This novel takes place in the summer of 1985 and the ash falling in Kagoshima is a constant presence.

Though I found a few of the plot elements leading and, thus, a bit predictable, Thompson does a great job revealing her backstory and the effects the tragedy has had on her main character and that character's family, even though some of this has to be done over the telephone as Caitlin is in Japan and her family is in the U.S., which did leave me wondering about the expense of one particularly long phone call!

I'd felt like reading a contemporary novel set in Japan, and with this viewpoint of someone who is an outsider, but in some ways an insider, I was happy with what I got.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago (only a few years after the setting of this story), I worked as an assistant language teacher on the JET Program. I also have roots in Kagoshima, so the story immediately struck a chord in me because of the familiarity that it offered. I've lived most of my adult life in Japan and I felt that everything about this book rang true to life: the details of teaching life, relationships with coworkers, neighbors, students, friends and the exquisite subtleties of Japanese social interactions, not to mention the struggles that children of intercultural marriages face here - somehow, the author manages to encapsulate all these things in one book. In a genre that can easily slip into cliches and stereotypes, this book felt authentic and real. A thoroughly satisfying read!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are living in Japan or plan to live there it is an excellent book written with a lot of feeling. A very special book.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I often wince while reading books by other foreigners in Japan, but this one is spot on, plus the story is moving and lyric, but still believable.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back to my early days in Japan. Very enjoyable read. Wonderful exploration of survivor's guilt and how tragedy and change a family.

[Camila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found out about Ash after a visit to Kagoshima and got first attracted to the book by the settings. I was excited to see the description of places I had visited. 

After reading, I realized it is a touching novel about grief, identity, and cultural differences. I think it resonates with anyone who has experienced life on a different culture and struggled with their sense of belonging. 

[Jim Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine recommended 'Ash' after my recent trip to Japan. Caitlin Ober is back in Japan after a 15-year absence, and the book slowly unfolds as she moves towards reconciling her past and future. Set in 1985, it does a good job of capturing the time, even touching on the terrible plane crash during Obon that year. While the main story resolved, I'm curious to know what happens with her parents, her sister, and Naomi - it left me wanting to know more. If you're a third-culture kid, it will feel very familiar; that sensation of going home to more than one place, yet always feeling slightly out of place.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful book that takes place in Japan. This book shows the ache that lasts for years after the pain of a loss. The evolution of the characters throughout the book is impressive, especially the main character as she goes from having feelings of pain and guilt to beginning to heal. The ending paragraph was perfection.

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Japan and anything that relates to Japanese culture so I was really looking forward to read this book. Unfortunately (and despite having enjoyed the first few chapters) I found the book to be quite boring and just didn't care about the characters or what happened to them.

[Oniyome · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that hit especially close to home for me in so many aspects as a foreigner living in Japan.
Compared to other books I read in this genre explanations about Japanese culture and daily life felt so naturally included into the story it really stood out to me.

[Loren Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is stunning. I really have no other words for it. It is poignant and beautiful both in its characters and in its setting, and is far and away my favourite novel about Japan by any author, foreign or otherwise. The lucky grab of this book at a book sale in Tokyo was very fortunate.

[Ronna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not as good as "Orchards"

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much I wish I could give it ten stars.