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Spark
Tokunaga is a young comedian struggling to make a name for himself when he is taken under the wing of Kamiya, who is either a crazy genius or perhaps just crazy. Kamiya’s indestructible confidence inspires Tokunaga, but it also makes him doubt the limits of his own talent, and dedication to Manzai comedy.
Spark is a story about art and friendship, about countless bizarre drunken conversations and how far it’s acceptable to go for a laugh. A novel about comedy that’s as moving and thoughtful as it is funny, it’s already been a sensation in Japan.
Spark is a story about art and friendship, about countless bizarre drunken conversations and how far it’s acceptable to go for a laugh. A novel about comedy that’s as moving and thoughtful as it is funny, it’s already been a sensation in Japan.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2015
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January 28, 2024
Non-conformity, the shoddy glamour of bohemian life and jealousy when someone has succes feature in this short book. The humor is very country specific and the story is quite weird in some areas, so I enjoyed this less than I expected
Everybody believed, absolutely, that their day would come.
Spark is like the literature equivalent of weird Japanese game shows where contestants need to go through an obstacle course filled with inflatable shapes, above water, or eat bugs. Saizo Kamiya is the kohai (younger and learning comedian) and narrator of the book. He befriends Tokunaga sempai, someone who dedicated himself fully to the particular style of comedy called Manzai. Getting one’s act together is taken to a whole new level, with Tokunaga slowly trainwrecking himself (with the protagonist being very passive and profiteering one could say).
Once reason and morality got introduced, everything got complicated the narrator mentions, and there are enough weird scenes to go with this statement.
Getting a hard-on as an distraction when vacating a premises is one of the weirder things I read, together with the ending involving plastic surgery.
Non-conformity is glamorised in a sense, maybe explaining part of the appeal of the book in Japan.
At one point the following is noted: Ignoring public opinion is the same as being unkind. By definition that’s almost the same as being unfunny.
Overall I didn't feel Kamiya is a very good friend and the book as a whole, and the way the characters interact with each other, didn't really touch me in any sense. Hesitant to see if the Netflix adaption adds anything to this experience, at least Naoki Matayoshi's writing doesn't lead me to put the series high on my to watch list.
Everybody believed, absolutely, that their day would come.
Spark is like the literature equivalent of weird Japanese game shows where contestants need to go through an obstacle course filled with inflatable shapes, above water, or eat bugs. Saizo Kamiya is the kohai (younger and learning comedian) and narrator of the book. He befriends Tokunaga sempai, someone who dedicated himself fully to the particular style of comedy called Manzai. Getting one’s act together is taken to a whole new level, with Tokunaga slowly trainwrecking himself (with the protagonist being very passive and profiteering one could say).
Once reason and morality got introduced, everything got complicated the narrator mentions, and there are enough weird scenes to go with this statement.
Getting a hard-on as an distraction when vacating a premises is one of the weirder things I read, together with the ending involving plastic surgery.
Non-conformity is glamorised in a sense, maybe explaining part of the appeal of the book in Japan.
At one point the following is noted: Ignoring public opinion is the same as being unkind. By definition that’s almost the same as being unfunny.
Overall I didn't feel Kamiya is a very good friend and the book as a whole, and the way the characters interact with each other, didn't really touch me in any sense. Hesitant to see if the Netflix adaption adds anything to this experience, at least Naoki Matayoshi's writing doesn't lead me to put the series high on my to watch list.
June 10, 2020
In this short book, Matayoshi lets his characters philosophize about purpose and passion by contemplating the nature and function of comedy. Our protagonist and narrator is young Tokunaga, who is one half of the comedy duo "Sparks". Tokunaga is fascinated by and befriends Kamiya, another driven, but slightly more experienced comedian seeking fame. The pair hang out, contemplate their art and their careers and also watch each other closely, as they are trying to make it in the same profession...
To crack the code of this novel, it's key to understand the type of comedy Tokunaga and Kamiya are performing: Japanese manzai is a type of stand up which is performed by a duo, one starring as the whacky Boke who is counterbalanced by the more serious Tsukkomi. Not only does Matayoshi describe some manzai stage scenes, the dialogue between Tokunaga and Kamiya (and there is a lot of it) also plays with their comedic art and its dynamics. While there is some social commentary, the conversations and scenes are often loud and grotesque.
So let's face it: This novel is apparently very culture-specific and won the Akutagawa Prize, so the fact that I did not particularly enjoy it is probably mainly due to the circumstance that a lot of its references went over my head. I am pretty sure that people who know more about manzai and its conventions will find much more to like in this undoubtedly quirky, unusual little book. Here's the trailer for the Netflix show based on Matayoshi's book.
To crack the code of this novel, it's key to understand the type of comedy Tokunaga and Kamiya are performing: Japanese manzai is a type of stand up which is performed by a duo, one starring as the whacky Boke who is counterbalanced by the more serious Tsukkomi. Not only does Matayoshi describe some manzai stage scenes, the dialogue between Tokunaga and Kamiya (and there is a lot of it) also plays with their comedic art and its dynamics. While there is some social commentary, the conversations and scenes are often loud and grotesque.
So let's face it: This novel is apparently very culture-specific and won the Akutagawa Prize, so the fact that I did not particularly enjoy it is probably mainly due to the circumstance that a lot of its references went over my head. I am pretty sure that people who know more about manzai and its conventions will find much more to like in this undoubtedly quirky, unusual little book. Here's the trailer for the Netflix show based on Matayoshi's book.
July 14, 2020
Tokunaga dreams of becoming a successful manzai comedian (a type of Japanese comedy involving a duo, one straight man/one fool) with his troupe, Sparks. Then he meets up with an older manzai comic called Kamiya who takes him under his wing. Will they become the headlining comedians they hope to be?
Several things appealed to me about Naoki Matayoshi’s Spark: I had no idea what manzai was and wanted to find out; I’ve never read a comedic Japanese novel before and wanted to see what passes for Japanese comedy; and this was a huge bestseller in Japan and I wanted to see what appeals to modern Japanese readers.
Well, having read Spark now, I have the answers - and I know my tastes don’t align with Japanese audiences in the slightest because this book was AWFUL!
OK - are you ready to experience Japanese manzai comedy? Hold onto those sides now, you don’t want them splitting - here’s a sample:
“What’s your favourite food?”
“It’s hotpot.”
“Hotpot, eh?”
“Yes, hotpot.”
“You eat pots?”
“No, you know, the stuff that goes with it.”
“You must have extremely strong teeth.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“My teeth aren’t strong so I couldn’t do it, but what do you like better: metal pots or earthenware pots?”
I can’t bear to write any more of this tedious exchange but it goes on like this for another page. I know - it’s like a kid writing jokes. Later on, Kamiya (the more experienced comic) writes some “hilarious” haikus for a baby:
Two flies settled on a nun’s right eye.
Two flies sitting on the grave of a benefactor.
I am a fly, you are a cricket, that is the sea.
The flies are the antithesis of Parisiennes.
A melon from my mother covered in flies.
If I hadn’t been told beforehand that they were meant to be funny, I wouldn’t have known because they’re not even remotely amusing. Other “jokes” include Kamiya making the easily-manipulated Tokunaga get an erection while he moves his stuff out of his ex’s flat, to distract him from feeling sad or something; more childish crap about God painting the leaves different colours to signal the change in seasons; and the novel culminates in Tokunaga saying the opposite of what he means (eg. “Your place is a pigsty!” meaning it’s tidy) - sob sob, so funny AND emotional!
I’m just amazed that this barely-clever, unsophisticated material could be considered comedy by any adult.
Even without the unfunny material, there’s nothing about the novel that’s entertaining. Struggling entertainers struggling to make a living in showbiz - that’s it. They’re struggling because they’re not talented or funny and Kamiya might even be brain-damaged, he’s so unfunny. Take the ending, which was unpredictable but only because it was so bonkers.
The writing is amateurish. A couple lines stood out to me: “The pain was painful... The pain was beginning to sting.” The pain was painful - wow. How did this win the Akutagawa Prize in 2015?!
Maybe manzai comedy works better live and I’d understand the humour better if I watched the TV adaptation on Netflix, but, going by this, it doesn’t surprise me that Japanese comedy has zero appeal outside of Japan. Spark is the antithesis of entertainment - not recommended to anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow!
Several things appealed to me about Naoki Matayoshi’s Spark: I had no idea what manzai was and wanted to find out; I’ve never read a comedic Japanese novel before and wanted to see what passes for Japanese comedy; and this was a huge bestseller in Japan and I wanted to see what appeals to modern Japanese readers.
Well, having read Spark now, I have the answers - and I know my tastes don’t align with Japanese audiences in the slightest because this book was AWFUL!
OK - are you ready to experience Japanese manzai comedy? Hold onto those sides now, you don’t want them splitting - here’s a sample:
“What’s your favourite food?”
“It’s hotpot.”
“Hotpot, eh?”
“Yes, hotpot.”
“You eat pots?”
“No, you know, the stuff that goes with it.”
“You must have extremely strong teeth.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“My teeth aren’t strong so I couldn’t do it, but what do you like better: metal pots or earthenware pots?”
I can’t bear to write any more of this tedious exchange but it goes on like this for another page. I know - it’s like a kid writing jokes. Later on, Kamiya (the more experienced comic) writes some “hilarious” haikus for a baby:
Two flies settled on a nun’s right eye.
Two flies sitting on the grave of a benefactor.
I am a fly, you are a cricket, that is the sea.
The flies are the antithesis of Parisiennes.
A melon from my mother covered in flies.
If I hadn’t been told beforehand that they were meant to be funny, I wouldn’t have known because they’re not even remotely amusing. Other “jokes” include Kamiya making the easily-manipulated Tokunaga get an erection while he moves his stuff out of his ex’s flat, to distract him from feeling sad or something; more childish crap about God painting the leaves different colours to signal the change in seasons; and the novel culminates in Tokunaga saying the opposite of what he means (eg. “Your place is a pigsty!” meaning it’s tidy) - sob sob, so funny AND emotional!
I’m just amazed that this barely-clever, unsophisticated material could be considered comedy by any adult.
Even without the unfunny material, there’s nothing about the novel that’s entertaining. Struggling entertainers struggling to make a living in showbiz - that’s it. They’re struggling because they’re not talented or funny and Kamiya might even be brain-damaged, he’s so unfunny. Take the ending, which was unpredictable but only because it was so bonkers.
The writing is amateurish. A couple lines stood out to me: “The pain was painful... The pain was beginning to sting.” The pain was painful - wow. How did this win the Akutagawa Prize in 2015?!
Maybe manzai comedy works better live and I’d understand the humour better if I watched the TV adaptation on Netflix, but, going by this, it doesn’t surprise me that Japanese comedy has zero appeal outside of Japan. Spark is the antithesis of entertainment - not recommended to anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow!
January 17, 2020
Thank you @pushkin_press for gifting me a copy of Spark by Naoki Matayoshi, translated by Alison Watts, as part of #LostInTranslations2020! I’ve been a roll with Japanese lit this month for #JanuaryInJapan, all very different books, and this one is definitely a unique read.
.
It’s centred around Tokunaga, an aspiring ‘manzai’ comedian who moves to Tokyo to achieve his dream. There, he meets Kamiya, a more seasoned comic who agrees to be his sensei if Tokunaga will write his biography.
.
I knew nothing about this traditional type of Japanese comedy, which is essentially a duo trying to make people laugh with a crazy, bantering conversation. Spark certainly touches on the bizarre, as Kamiya stops at nothing to get a laugh from his audience, culminating in an ending I didn’t see coming for a mile off, prompting Tokunaga to question how far it’s acceptable to go for a joke.
.
I think a lot of creatives will find something to relate to in this novel, as the duo are passionate about their comedy and even when practically destitute they want to continue their art. Admittedly, some of the manzai isn’t really my type of humour, but it was still interesting nonetheless!
.
I did think there were a few translation issues however. The copy I read is an uncorrected proof so hopefully these creases will have been ironed out, but there were words missing which made me stumble, and also a bit of an over-reliance on idioms. It’s always good to use phrases the target language speakers are familiar with, but a lot of them ended up sounding like clichés.
.
This one was a cult phenomenon in Japan as Matayoshi is a well-known comedian himself, so I’d recommend it if you’re interested in learning something about Japanese comedy! There’s also a Netflix series based on it, called Hibana: Spark, which I may watch to get a better idea of manzai in action.
.
It’s centred around Tokunaga, an aspiring ‘manzai’ comedian who moves to Tokyo to achieve his dream. There, he meets Kamiya, a more seasoned comic who agrees to be his sensei if Tokunaga will write his biography.
.
I knew nothing about this traditional type of Japanese comedy, which is essentially a duo trying to make people laugh with a crazy, bantering conversation. Spark certainly touches on the bizarre, as Kamiya stops at nothing to get a laugh from his audience, culminating in an ending I didn’t see coming for a mile off, prompting Tokunaga to question how far it’s acceptable to go for a joke.
.
I think a lot of creatives will find something to relate to in this novel, as the duo are passionate about their comedy and even when practically destitute they want to continue their art. Admittedly, some of the manzai isn’t really my type of humour, but it was still interesting nonetheless!
.
I did think there were a few translation issues however. The copy I read is an uncorrected proof so hopefully these creases will have been ironed out, but there were words missing which made me stumble, and also a bit of an over-reliance on idioms. It’s always good to use phrases the target language speakers are familiar with, but a lot of them ended up sounding like clichés.
.
This one was a cult phenomenon in Japan as Matayoshi is a well-known comedian himself, so I’d recommend it if you’re interested in learning something about Japanese comedy! There’s also a Netflix series based on it, called Hibana: Spark, which I may watch to get a better idea of manzai in action.
January 31, 2019
Đây là câu chuyện về những con người mang trong mình niềm đam mê nghệ thuật, chật vật đối mặt với thực tế khắc nghiệt để chờ một ngày được tỏa sáng, không phải là tiểu sử của những người vĩ nhân với những việc làm đáng nể...
Hai nhân vật - hai cuộc đời, hai hướng đi khác nhau, người thì bản thân không hề tự tin, mới vào nghề chẳng có lấy một đàn anh, ngồi thu lu một góc ở phòng chờ, chật vật tập thoại với bạn diễn, rồi khi mình càng già thì số lượng đàn em ngày càng tăng, nhận ra càng ngày càng không còn cơ hội tỏa sáng; người thì tràn đầy khát vọng, mang trong mình lý tưởng cao cả, không nằm trong khuôn khổ, chạy theo cái riêng dù chẳng mấy ai thực sự công nhận sự khác biệt đó, càng ngày càng túng quẫn trước sự lo lắng của người đàn em.
Những món hài dùng ngôn từ khi dịch sang tiếng Việt, mình chẳng hiểu gì cả, nhưng vẫn thấy được sự cố gắng truyền tải ngôn từ của các nhân vật. Nhìn vào những chương trình hài ở nước ta, cũng có thể thấy số người tỏa sáng như Trấn Thành, Trường Giang chẳng có bao nhiêu, sự bùng nổ hài kịch dẫn đến xuất hiện những thể loại hài nhảm. Những nghệ sĩ họ cũng từng chia sẻ sự khắc nghiệt trong nghề, luôn chực chờ đối mặt với sự đào thải rất lớn. Đó cũng là thực tế mà không chỉ những người làm nghệ thuật, mà tồn tại trong tất cả các ngành nghề.
Vừa mua là đọc ngay chỉ vì mê cái bìa, thật sự mình yêu từ cái bìa đến cái nội dung bình bình của nó. Phải chăng tất cả chúng ta mang trong mình những tia lửa - những khát khao, mấy ai có thể bay vút lên rực sáng một góc trời như pháo hoa, hay chỉ là những tia sáng le lói, chợt lóe lên rồi tắt.
Hai nhân vật - hai cuộc đời, hai hướng đi khác nhau, người thì bản thân không hề tự tin, mới vào nghề chẳng có lấy một đàn anh, ngồi thu lu một góc ở phòng chờ, chật vật tập thoại với bạn diễn, rồi khi mình càng già thì số lượng đàn em ngày càng tăng, nhận ra càng ngày càng không còn cơ hội tỏa sáng; người thì tràn đầy khát vọng, mang trong mình lý tưởng cao cả, không nằm trong khuôn khổ, chạy theo cái riêng dù chẳng mấy ai thực sự công nhận sự khác biệt đó, càng ngày càng túng quẫn trước sự lo lắng của người đàn em.
Những món hài dùng ngôn từ khi dịch sang tiếng Việt, mình chẳng hiểu gì cả, nhưng vẫn thấy được sự cố gắng truyền tải ngôn từ của các nhân vật. Nhìn vào những chương trình hài ở nước ta, cũng có thể thấy số người tỏa sáng như Trấn Thành, Trường Giang chẳng có bao nhiêu, sự bùng nổ hài kịch dẫn đến xuất hiện những thể loại hài nhảm. Những nghệ sĩ họ cũng từng chia sẻ sự khắc nghiệt trong nghề, luôn chực chờ đối mặt với sự đào thải rất lớn. Đó cũng là thực tế mà không chỉ những người làm nghệ thuật, mà tồn tại trong tất cả các ngành nghề.
Vừa mua là đọc ngay chỉ vì mê cái bìa, thật sự mình yêu từ cái bìa đến cái nội dung bình bình của nó. Phải chăng tất cả chúng ta mang trong mình những tia lửa - những khát khao, mấy ai có thể bay vút lên rực sáng một góc trời như pháo hoa, hay chỉ là những tia sáng le lói, chợt lóe lên rồi tắt.
March 30, 2019
Nói chung là chán :)))
June 24, 2020
I’m a great lover of contemporary Japanese literature, and I enjoyed this one, with its melancholy humor. It’s look at the creative life/ comedy struck a chord, but I suspect it’s an acquired taste.
Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2021
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
"It takes guts to keep working for a long time at something that nobody thinks essential. Especially when you think how you only get one chance in life-the thought of putting your heart and soul into something that might not produce results is scary. But avoiding risk isn't the answer."
I was so excited to pick up this one since I’ve heard about the Netflix series first, and I knew so little about manzai. I wanted to learn more about it throughout the book. Unfortunately, I had a hard time reading it because I couldn’t connect with Tokunaga and Kamiya. I keep picking up the book and then putting it down because the story didn’t keep me interested. My main issue was that I couldn’t see what was the author’s goal here or what was the message he wanted to convey to the reader and that was what lost me there.
"It takes guts to keep working for a long time at something that nobody thinks essential. Especially when you think how you only get one chance in life-the thought of putting your heart and soul into something that might not produce results is scary. But avoiding risk isn't the answer."
I was so excited to pick up this one since I’ve heard about the Netflix series first, and I knew so little about manzai. I wanted to learn more about it throughout the book. Unfortunately, I had a hard time reading it because I couldn’t connect with Tokunaga and Kamiya. I keep picking up the book and then putting it down because the story didn’t keep me interested. My main issue was that I couldn’t see what was the author’s goal here or what was the message he wanted to convey to the reader and that was what lost me there.
August 18, 2020
“Spark” tells the story of two manzai comedians. Manzai is a Japanese comedic form that involves a duo that engage in rapid-fire conversational exchanges involving puns, word play, absurdities, and misunderstandings. [Think of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on first” sketch, but set to appeal to the Japanese sense of humor.]
The two comedians in question do not form a duo, but rather are members of their own, respective, manzai duos. While their relationship is one of friendship, to understand it fully one has to have a basic grasp of the sempai – kohai interaction. Most Westerners who haven’t practiced judo, aikido, flower arranging, or taiko drumming, or who haven’t done business in Japan are unlikely to be familiar with this very Confucian idea. It’s sort of like the idea of mentor and mentee, but writ much more broadly, basically into all aspects of life. The sempai is the senior, and the kohai is the junior. In this case, our narrator, Tokunaga, is the kohai (junior,) and Kamiya is the sempai (senior.) Kamiya says he will guide Tokunaga, if Tokunaga agrees to write Kamiya’s biography. The book in question could be taken to be the resultant product -- although Tokunaga, himself, is the protagonist of the story – with Kamiya being the Obi Wan to Tokunaga’s Luke.
I think readers should know not to expect a book that is laugh-out-loud funny throughout. Because the subject is comedy, one might expect it to be a laugh riot from cover-to-cover. I remember seeing the movie “Punchline” (1988) and being very disappointed because it was about standup comedians, but the standup comedy in the film was mediocre at its best. The movie had major league talent (Tom Hanks and Sally Field) and I might have enjoyed it more if my expectations about the humor were tempered. “Spark” does have its funny moments, but one wouldn’t want base one’s judgement on that. For one thing, overall, the story is bittersweet. It tends to be lighthearted, but it has its moments of angst as well. Furthermore, the humor doesn’t translate well, and I think there are both cultural and linguistic reasons for that. Much of the humor that plays out when the comedians are riffing (usually off-stage) is what I would call absurdist quips, and the more you like that kind of humor the more you’ll like it in the book, but vice-versa is true, too. If your response to puns is deadpan, I wouldn’t expect to find yourself laughing (or even smiling) much. (Not that the humor is pun-based, but it’s about that level of funny.)
Obviously, I thought the book does something right, even if it’s not its hilarity. For one thing, it has at least as many philosophically thought-provoking moments as it does humorous ones. While there is a lot of silliness in the exchanges between Tokunaga and Kamiya, there is also a philosophy and a psychology that are presented for one’s consideration. At its heart, I think this is a book about what art is exactly, and how one rides a line between the creative and the familiar. Tokunaga wants to be like Kamiya because he sees Kamiya is creative to the point of being so far outside the box that he can’t even see the box. However, as the story goes on, Tokunaga ends up having more success because he (and his partner, who is a relatively minor and unseen character) instinctively keep one eye on what will appeal to audiences. While Tokunaga chides himself for lacking the courage and creativity of Kamiya, ultimately, he gets to see the downside of those proclivities.
I enjoyed this book. It clearly leans toward literary fiction, which is to say it’s much more about characters than it is about story and exciting events. This means that it may feel a little slow at times, but it does have a payoff that ties up the story into a satisfying narrative. It’s also a book that is wisely kept short. Because it’s not that long, the coffee shop and bar discussions that make up much of “the action” don’t overextend into tedium. If you are interested in comedy, creativity, or just tales of friendship, this is a worthwhile read.
The two comedians in question do not form a duo, but rather are members of their own, respective, manzai duos. While their relationship is one of friendship, to understand it fully one has to have a basic grasp of the sempai – kohai interaction. Most Westerners who haven’t practiced judo, aikido, flower arranging, or taiko drumming, or who haven’t done business in Japan are unlikely to be familiar with this very Confucian idea. It’s sort of like the idea of mentor and mentee, but writ much more broadly, basically into all aspects of life. The sempai is the senior, and the kohai is the junior. In this case, our narrator, Tokunaga, is the kohai (junior,) and Kamiya is the sempai (senior.) Kamiya says he will guide Tokunaga, if Tokunaga agrees to write Kamiya’s biography. The book in question could be taken to be the resultant product -- although Tokunaga, himself, is the protagonist of the story – with Kamiya being the Obi Wan to Tokunaga’s Luke.
I think readers should know not to expect a book that is laugh-out-loud funny throughout. Because the subject is comedy, one might expect it to be a laugh riot from cover-to-cover. I remember seeing the movie “Punchline” (1988) and being very disappointed because it was about standup comedians, but the standup comedy in the film was mediocre at its best. The movie had major league talent (Tom Hanks and Sally Field) and I might have enjoyed it more if my expectations about the humor were tempered. “Spark” does have its funny moments, but one wouldn’t want base one’s judgement on that. For one thing, overall, the story is bittersweet. It tends to be lighthearted, but it has its moments of angst as well. Furthermore, the humor doesn’t translate well, and I think there are both cultural and linguistic reasons for that. Much of the humor that plays out when the comedians are riffing (usually off-stage) is what I would call absurdist quips, and the more you like that kind of humor the more you’ll like it in the book, but vice-versa is true, too. If your response to puns is deadpan, I wouldn’t expect to find yourself laughing (or even smiling) much. (Not that the humor is pun-based, but it’s about that level of funny.)
Obviously, I thought the book does something right, even if it’s not its hilarity. For one thing, it has at least as many philosophically thought-provoking moments as it does humorous ones. While there is a lot of silliness in the exchanges between Tokunaga and Kamiya, there is also a philosophy and a psychology that are presented for one’s consideration. At its heart, I think this is a book about what art is exactly, and how one rides a line between the creative and the familiar. Tokunaga wants to be like Kamiya because he sees Kamiya is creative to the point of being so far outside the box that he can’t even see the box. However, as the story goes on, Tokunaga ends up having more success because he (and his partner, who is a relatively minor and unseen character) instinctively keep one eye on what will appeal to audiences. While Tokunaga chides himself for lacking the courage and creativity of Kamiya, ultimately, he gets to see the downside of those proclivities.
I enjoyed this book. It clearly leans toward literary fiction, which is to say it’s much more about characters than it is about story and exciting events. This means that it may feel a little slow at times, but it does have a payoff that ties up the story into a satisfying narrative. It’s also a book that is wisely kept short. Because it’s not that long, the coffee shop and bar discussions that make up much of “the action” don’t overextend into tedium. If you are interested in comedy, creativity, or just tales of friendship, this is a worthwhile read.
March 26, 2021
A cult novel set in TOKYO
I have read quite a few novels set in Japan recently, all defined by their short length, with a quirky and culture specific take. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami and Convenience Store Woman (Shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2019 – Fiction, with a sense of place) by Sayaka Murata and now Spark (winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize), a cult Japanese phenomenon written by Naomi Matayoshi.
You need to understand what Manzei comedy is. It is a traditional style of comedy in Japan comparable to a double act, where one performer is comedic straight, the other funny. There is also – inevitably, as is so common in Japanese culture – a hierarchy; the sempai is the senior partner, the kohai the junior member. Tokunaga is the young comedian who enlists Kamiya as his sempai partner.
The two young men build up a relationship based around their comedic appearances over several years. There is banter and showmanship as they prepare for the stage and go about their daily business. They drink and eat food, philosophise about their life and art and ponder where their careers might be going. Then drama happens and Kamiya disappears, yet life continues. His return heralds a surprise. The novel is essentially about a friendship that has to withstand work routines and accommodate well defined personalities.
I think when choosing a novel like this, it is really helpful to have some knowledge of Japanese ways of being, an understanding that Japanese culture can at times feel very different – whacky – even, to Western culture. This novel is an acquired taste and for me the humour didn’t altogether translate.
This is an original Netflix series and I think getting the visual interpretation would be interesting, as it was the visualisation in the narrative that felt a little limited and stilted in the novel.
I have read quite a few novels set in Japan recently, all defined by their short length, with a quirky and culture specific take. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami and Convenience Store Woman (Shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2019 – Fiction, with a sense of place) by Sayaka Murata and now Spark (winner of the prestigious Akutagawa Prize), a cult Japanese phenomenon written by Naomi Matayoshi.
You need to understand what Manzei comedy is. It is a traditional style of comedy in Japan comparable to a double act, where one performer is comedic straight, the other funny. There is also – inevitably, as is so common in Japanese culture – a hierarchy; the sempai is the senior partner, the kohai the junior member. Tokunaga is the young comedian who enlists Kamiya as his sempai partner.
The two young men build up a relationship based around their comedic appearances over several years. There is banter and showmanship as they prepare for the stage and go about their daily business. They drink and eat food, philosophise about their life and art and ponder where their careers might be going. Then drama happens and Kamiya disappears, yet life continues. His return heralds a surprise. The novel is essentially about a friendship that has to withstand work routines and accommodate well defined personalities.
I think when choosing a novel like this, it is really helpful to have some knowledge of Japanese ways of being, an understanding that Japanese culture can at times feel very different – whacky – even, to Western culture. This novel is an acquired taste and for me the humour didn’t altogether translate.
This is an original Netflix series and I think getting the visual interpretation would be interesting, as it was the visualisation in the narrative that felt a little limited and stilted in the novel.
July 8, 2020
A very refreshing novel! I have rarely read anything like it. I am a Japanese literature lover and really enjoyed learning about manzai.
Manzai is a type of traditional Japanese stand up comedy that features two performers. In this duo you generally have a straight man and a funny man (I say man because apparently it is very rare to see women performing manzai, even nowadays). The straight man is not very clever and generally confused, while the funny one of normal intelligence and keep correcting the straight one in an exaggerated manner. Jokes are usually exchanged at high speed.
This story is very much about manzai but also about friendship, admiration, inspiration but also the stand up comedy thrill, how addictive it can be, how your life can revolve around it, how it is an existence in itself.
As much as I enjoyed this book, I have to say to it is very specific in its humour. But when I say that, I mean that humour is very culture and language specific. Speaking fluently two languages myself, my humour is very different from one language to the other. Humour is all about references, word play, puns etc so most of their funny conversations and performances didn’t really do much for me. However I did find it fascinating.
Thanks Net Galley and the publisher for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Manzai is a type of traditional Japanese stand up comedy that features two performers. In this duo you generally have a straight man and a funny man (I say man because apparently it is very rare to see women performing manzai, even nowadays). The straight man is not very clever and generally confused, while the funny one of normal intelligence and keep correcting the straight one in an exaggerated manner. Jokes are usually exchanged at high speed.
This story is very much about manzai but also about friendship, admiration, inspiration but also the stand up comedy thrill, how addictive it can be, how your life can revolve around it, how it is an existence in itself.
As much as I enjoyed this book, I have to say to it is very specific in its humour. But when I say that, I mean that humour is very culture and language specific. Speaking fluently two languages myself, my humour is very different from one language to the other. Humour is all about references, word play, puns etc so most of their funny conversations and performances didn’t really do much for me. However I did find it fascinating.
Thanks Net Galley and the publisher for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2022
I enjoyed the clumsiness of characters and rather realistic and relatable awkward moments.
Despite being about comedy, the story had an overall sad tone in my experience, partly because of how topics like "passion" and "creativity" were handled. This is another thing I liked about Spark.
I didn't find any other memorable or notable aspects though.
It wasn't really bad but the plot was a little disjointed and honestly I couldn't understand the point of the story. I would have rated it higher if I'd found a satisfying conclusion.
Despite being about comedy, the story had an overall sad tone in my experience, partly because of how topics like "passion" and "creativity" were handled. This is another thing I liked about Spark.
I didn't find any other memorable or notable aspects though.
It wasn't really bad but the plot was a little disjointed and honestly I couldn't understand the point of the story. I would have rated it higher if I'd found a satisfying conclusion.
September 4, 2020
Spark is a drama… about comedy.
As a Western reader, I was most interested in the running commentary about relationships between senpai and kohai, or older mentors and younger mentees. But I have to hope that a good deal of the novel’s appeal and substance was lost in translation. I am not one to admit cultural defeat easily, but Spark was beyond me. I wonder whether Pushkin would have bothered with an English translation of a niche novel if not for the 2016 Netflix series. (I mean niche only in English translation; Spark won one of Japan’s top literary awards in 2015.)
On a positive note, the novel’s foray into the world of gender identity at the end of the novel is surprisingly sensitive: “There’s a lot of people out there who have a real-life hard time trying to work out stuff like their gender and sexuality and all that.” Trans jokes are not welcome in manzai.
As a Western reader, I was most interested in the running commentary about relationships between senpai and kohai, or older mentors and younger mentees. But I have to hope that a good deal of the novel’s appeal and substance was lost in translation. I am not one to admit cultural defeat easily, but Spark was beyond me. I wonder whether Pushkin would have bothered with an English translation of a niche novel if not for the 2016 Netflix series. (I mean niche only in English translation; Spark won one of Japan’s top literary awards in 2015.)
On a positive note, the novel’s foray into the world of gender identity at the end of the novel is surprisingly sensitive: “There’s a lot of people out there who have a real-life hard time trying to work out stuff like their gender and sexuality and all that.” Trans jokes are not welcome in manzai.
July 8, 2025
Unfortunately, I think this is one of those cases where “I'm not Japanese enough” (by the way, I'm not Japanese at all) to appreciate both the story and the kind of sense that should be implied, I think. These two characters around whom the whole plot revolves have always remained too distant from me to feel not say any kind of empathy, but just plain interest. It will be better next time, I hope.
Purtroppo credo che questo sia uno di quei casi in cui "non sono abbastanza giapponese" (per altro non lo sono affatto) per apprezzare sia la storia che il tipo di comicitá che dovrebbe essere implicita, credo. Questi due personaggi attorno cui ruota tutta la trama sono rimasti sempre troppo lontani da me per provare non dico qualche tipo di empatia, ma proprio anche un semplice interesse. Andrà meglio la prossima volta, spero.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Purtroppo credo che questo sia uno di quei casi in cui "non sono abbastanza giapponese" (per altro non lo sono affatto) per apprezzare sia la storia che il tipo di comicitá che dovrebbe essere implicita, credo. Questi due personaggi attorno cui ruota tutta la trama sono rimasti sempre troppo lontani da me per provare non dico qualche tipo di empatia, ma proprio anche un semplice interesse. Andrà meglio la prossima volta, spero.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
February 16, 2019
Chỉ dịch được trên mặt chữ mấy đoạn tấu hài, làm mất đi cái hồn của nghề.
June 1, 2022
Idk I thought this was pretty funny lol.
May 6, 2025
A quick, light to read narrative set in the world of Japanese manzai comedy following a story of life, passion and friendship in between an aspiring manzai artist, Tokunaga and his eccentric mentor, Kamiya. A journey that highlighted on a tale of struggles with that insight of one’s dedication, sacrifices and resilience. Quite tender in exploration with affecting lingering monologues, loved how it captured those tensions and way the characters wrestled with their desires, ambitions and the reality in the industry; those uncertainties , expectations and how emotionally harsh it can be.
I enjoyed how the story unfolds though the pacing was a bit slow-burn and perhaps due to the translation work that the said humor or comedic parts in few of its scene did not stand that amusing much to me. Loved Tokunaga’s contemplative tone and his overall characterization. His relationship with Kamiya was a bit bizarre yet gripping enough to lure me towards both life dramas and their wandering personal conflicts.
Felt bad for the duo Spark but understand how Yamashita has to do what he needs to do, and still, I want to root for Kamiya too. A heart-moving ending with that same admiration and unwavering commitment; somehow inspirational and loved how it goes back to that biography stuff at the end.
(review copy courtesy of Pansing Distribution)
I enjoyed how the story unfolds though the pacing was a bit slow-burn and perhaps due to the translation work that the said humor or comedic parts in few of its scene did not stand that amusing much to me. Loved Tokunaga’s contemplative tone and his overall characterization. His relationship with Kamiya was a bit bizarre yet gripping enough to lure me towards both life dramas and their wandering personal conflicts.
Felt bad for the duo Spark but understand how Yamashita has to do what he needs to do, and still, I want to root for Kamiya too. A heart-moving ending with that same admiration and unwavering commitment; somehow inspirational and loved how it goes back to that biography stuff at the end.
(review copy courtesy of Pansing Distribution)
August 13, 2024
3*/5
Truyện kể về một nghề khá thú vị là tấu hài, mang đến tiếng cười cho khán giả nhưng góc khuất làm nghề cũng lắm gian truân...
Truyện kể về một nghề khá thú vị là tấu hài, mang đến tiếng cười cho khán giả nhưng góc khuất làm nghề cũng lắm gian truân...
January 2, 2023
This was just an okay read for me; it wasn't anything groundbreaking but it was entertaining enough. It's a slice-of-life kind of tale so it's very much one of those 'no plot, just vibes' read that will either be a hit or miss for most people.
December 27, 2020
Spark by Naoki Matayoshi translated by Allison Watt
Spark is based on comedians who practice Manzai i.e a duo act who make jokes at each other's expense, which consists of a serious man and a funny man having quick conversations.
The conversations in such a manzai act originated in Osaka.
Tokunaga, a young adult wants to make his name in Manzai and meets his sempai Kamiya in one of the act. This book is no about anything particular. But its about having philosophical arguments about what a comic act composes of.
Relationships come and go.. popularity rises and fades, is stand up comedy a well paid job? How to bring out the freshness in each act and went does it get stale.. what is the right definition of funny and till what direction we you go to achieve hat sense of making other people happy? The author keeps going in loops asking if the comedian has to go in the right path and crack safe humor or self deprecating humor is okay? Where does self respect, imitation and friendship matter in all this.
Kamiya takes Tokonuga as kohei amidst drunk conversations and hotpot they discuss their opinions about manzai.. What happens to the comedian finally? What is the tipping balance in a Manzai act? Kamiya and Tokunaga have contradicting conversations about Manzai but they never match. It seemed more like a deep dive into the right and wrong of being a comedian. But does that guarantee mental peace?
"The essential thing is to disrupt the colourful, beautiful and another unreal, more awesomely beautiful world will appear on its own."
This book kept asking me for more and more.. but the open ending was realistic and made sense..
Spark is based on comedians who practice Manzai i.e a duo act who make jokes at each other's expense, which consists of a serious man and a funny man having quick conversations.
The conversations in such a manzai act originated in Osaka.
Tokunaga, a young adult wants to make his name in Manzai and meets his sempai Kamiya in one of the act. This book is no about anything particular. But its about having philosophical arguments about what a comic act composes of.
Relationships come and go.. popularity rises and fades, is stand up comedy a well paid job? How to bring out the freshness in each act and went does it get stale.. what is the right definition of funny and till what direction we you go to achieve hat sense of making other people happy? The author keeps going in loops asking if the comedian has to go in the right path and crack safe humor or self deprecating humor is okay? Where does self respect, imitation and friendship matter in all this.
Kamiya takes Tokonuga as kohei amidst drunk conversations and hotpot they discuss their opinions about manzai.. What happens to the comedian finally? What is the tipping balance in a Manzai act? Kamiya and Tokunaga have contradicting conversations about Manzai but they never match. It seemed more like a deep dive into the right and wrong of being a comedian. But does that guarantee mental peace?
"The essential thing is to disrupt the colourful, beautiful and another unreal, more awesomely beautiful world will appear on its own."
This book kept asking me for more and more.. but the open ending was realistic and made sense..
February 8, 2025
EDIT: I requested this book from Edelweiss not recognising that I had read it before five years ago. I recalled reading something on manzai but didn't twig it was the same work due to the vastly different cover style and sales approach. It was only when I added the book on Goodreads that I discovered it was the same one. Since so long had passed, though, I decided to give it a reread to see if my feelings had changed. In the end, I felt pretty much the same as I did on the first read, so my original review below still expresses my thoughts and feelings well and my rating remains the same.
Spark was a mixed-bag read for me. I found some of the scenarios funny, and it offered an interesting discussion on the nature of comedy, alongside intriguing character portrayals of Tokunaga and Kamiya. However, in reading this book with zero knowledge of manzai, I probably missed a lot of cultural references and undertones, as the story failed to fully grip me. It might be interesting to check out the Netflix series if I get time, as seeing the comedic styling in action would probably help, to get a sense of how it comes across. I'm glad I gave this book a try, as it was something different and new, but it's not one I would race to reread. For me, it's a 3.5-star read, as it had some good moments and would probably mean more to readers who are familiar with manzai.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via both NetGalley and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Spark was a mixed-bag read for me. I found some of the scenarios funny, and it offered an interesting discussion on the nature of comedy, alongside intriguing character portrayals of Tokunaga and Kamiya. However, in reading this book with zero knowledge of manzai, I probably missed a lot of cultural references and undertones, as the story failed to fully grip me. It might be interesting to check out the Netflix series if I get time, as seeing the comedic styling in action would probably help, to get a sense of how it comes across. I'm glad I gave this book a try, as it was something different and new, but it's not one I would race to reread. For me, it's a 3.5-star read, as it had some good moments and would probably mean more to readers who are familiar with manzai.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via both NetGalley and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2022
Chả biết nhận xét như nào. Truyện viết về những người trẻ vật lộn để theo đuổi giấc mơ làm nghệ sĩ hài và chỉ thực sự từ bỏ khi nhận ra không thể theo đuổi được nữa. Mà cũng không hẳn là từ bỏ hẳn vì chỉ bỏ việc làm nghệ sĩ hài thôi chứ không phải tất cả. Chắc tại dịch thuật mất đi lớp nghĩa nào đó nên đọc mấy đoạn diễn hài thấy muốn khóc hơn là muốn cười.
Ví dụ: cảnh đầu nhóm hài Xuẩn Ngốc lên trình diễn giới thiệu là nhìn vào ai thì biết người đó sau sẽ xuống địa ngục hay lên thiên đàng. Sau đó nhân vật Kamiya chỉ mặt từng người và hét lên "Địa ngục". Cả với 1 đứa trẻ.
Ok các bạn ai cười chưa, thế chưa phải tất cả đâu. Còn cả câu hài so sánh ngoại hình với nhân vật lịch sử và nhân vật nổi tiếng mà mình không mường tượng ra nổi. Cả câu chuyện là màu sắc có vẻ buồn, đặc biệt là nhân vật Kamiya làm những chuyện kì cục hết sức.
Chắc tại dịch thuật vs cả ko hiểu được văn hoá Nhật nên thấy mất cái hồn đi. Ai muốn trải nghiệm thì đọc cho biết, cũng chưa đến 300 trang. Chứ mình thấy gượng gạo lắm.
Ví dụ: cảnh đầu nhóm hài Xuẩn Ngốc lên trình diễn giới thiệu là nhìn vào ai thì biết người đó sau sẽ xuống địa ngục hay lên thiên đàng. Sau đó nhân vật Kamiya chỉ mặt từng người và hét lên "Địa ngục". Cả với 1 đứa trẻ.
Ok các bạn ai cười chưa, thế chưa phải tất cả đâu. Còn cả câu hài so sánh ngoại hình với nhân vật lịch sử và nhân vật nổi tiếng mà mình không mường tượng ra nổi. Cả câu chuyện là màu sắc có vẻ buồn, đặc biệt là nhân vật Kamiya làm những chuyện kì cục hết sức.
Chắc tại dịch thuật vs cả ko hiểu được văn hoá Nhật nên thấy mất cái hồn đi. Ai muốn trải nghiệm thì đọc cho biết, cũng chưa đến 300 trang. Chứ mình thấy gượng gạo lắm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2022
2.5⭐️/5⭐️
Cuốn này tuy mỏng nhưng mình đã tốn nhiều thời gian hơn dự tính để đọc nó. Một phần là bận khi đọc trong dịp nghỉ Tết Nguyên Đán, một phần vì nó được viết liền một mạch nên cảm giác khi ngừng thì lúc sau quay lại thì phải đọc lại mấy trang trước đó.
Mình thích các tác phẩm đoạt giải Akutagawa lắm vì 95% mình sẽ thích nó, cơ mà cuốn này chắc nằm trong 5% còn lại. Mọi câu văn, cốt truyện trong này sơ sài tới mức một người cực thích mấy cái điền văn như mình lại chả hề thấy tâm trạng rung động một xíu nào. Có thể hiểu sao nó ẵm được giải, nó có nhiều lạc lõng, trống trải, đúng cái chất giải Akutagawa, nhưng tại sao cách xây dựng hình tượng nhân vật hay cốt truyện lại có thể sơ sài tới dã man như thế được :v ?
Ban đầu tính cho 2⭐️ cơ mà như thế thì hơi ác với một số đoạn cực đắt giá nên cho 2.5⭐️ rồi làm tròn thành 3⭐️ vậy. Biết là tác giả không phải người hành văn chuyên nghiệp nhưng mong sẽ đọc được một tác phẩm giải Akutagawa xứng đáng hơn.
À ngoài ra bìa cuốn này bản gốc ma mị lắm ấy, bản Việt thì trông hơi bừng sáng quá, mình không thích bìa bản Việt.
Cuốn này tuy mỏng nhưng mình đã tốn nhiều thời gian hơn dự tính để đọc nó. Một phần là bận khi đọc trong dịp nghỉ Tết Nguyên Đán, một phần vì nó được viết liền một mạch nên cảm giác khi ngừng thì lúc sau quay lại thì phải đọc lại mấy trang trước đó.
Mình thích các tác phẩm đoạt giải Akutagawa lắm vì 95% mình sẽ thích nó, cơ mà cuốn này chắc nằm trong 5% còn lại. Mọi câu văn, cốt truyện trong này sơ sài tới mức một người cực thích mấy cái điền văn như mình lại chả hề thấy tâm trạng rung động một xíu nào. Có thể hiểu sao nó ẵm được giải, nó có nhiều lạc lõng, trống trải, đúng cái chất giải Akutagawa, nhưng tại sao cách xây dựng hình tượng nhân vật hay cốt truyện lại có thể sơ sài tới dã man như thế được :v ?
Ban đầu tính cho 2⭐️ cơ mà như thế thì hơi ác với một số đoạn cực đắt giá nên cho 2.5⭐️ rồi làm tròn thành 3⭐️ vậy. Biết là tác giả không phải người hành văn chuyên nghiệp nhưng mong sẽ đọc được một tác phẩm giải Akutagawa xứng đáng hơn.
À ngoài ra bìa cuốn này bản gốc ma mị lắm ấy, bản Việt thì trông hơi bừng sáng quá, mình không thích bìa bản Việt.
November 14, 2022
I actually loved this book.
Seeing the low ratings here on Goodreads and the negative reviews, I need to say that I beg to disagree. Maybe people just don’t get it, but I did. I truly did.
This book was genuine, feel good, and an unputdownable read. It was just a very simple story, really, but it felt so endearing all throughout.
Full review to come soon!
Seeing the low ratings here on Goodreads and the negative reviews, I need to say that I beg to disagree. Maybe people just don’t get it, but I did. I truly did.
This book was genuine, feel good, and an unputdownable read. It was just a very simple story, really, but it felt so endearing all throughout.
Full review to come soon!
April 10, 2023
Oh dear.
June 28, 2024
Recensione a cura della pagina instagram Pagine_e_inchiostro:
Come scintille nel mare è un romanzo gr0ttesco che tratta il tema del manzai, commedia legata alla cultura tradizionale giapponese, paragonabile al cabaret. Negli spettacoli manzai, due attori dialogano ritmicamente: uno impersonificando il ruolo del saggio, l'altro quello del folle.
I due protagonisti sono Tokunaga, un giovane comico che lotta per la fama, e Kamiya, mentore che prende il giovane sotto la propria ala, ma che finirà per deluderne le aspettative.
Questa lettura inneggia alla stranezza e alla non-conformità, in antitesi alla rigida società nipponica e alle sue regole soff0canti. In un Giappone freddo e inospitale, non mancano scintillanti anfratti di umanità: amicizia e divertimento. Grazie all’arte che esprime disagio, l’opinione pubblica verrà infine abbandonata, in favore di una più grande libertà personale. In Come scintille nel mare viene esplorato il nonsense nella sua forma più estrema, quindi certamente un romanzo non per tutti.
In Giappone questo libro ha venduto milioni di copie e ne hanno fatto una serie tv e vari spettacoli. Per me un giudizio a metà: carino, senza infamia e senza lode.
Come pro annovero la descrizione del disagio giovanile, della pressione delle regole imposte, del rapporto mentore-allievo e il modo in cui il saggio della commedia finisca comunque per essere l’inetto nella vita, deludendo le aspettative. Tra i contro annovero un tipo di ironia che per gusto personale non apprezzo, un disagio sociale espresso in modo troppo didascalico e uno stile poco poetico.
Come scintille nel mare è un romanzo gr0ttesco che tratta il tema del manzai, commedia legata alla cultura tradizionale giapponese, paragonabile al cabaret. Negli spettacoli manzai, due attori dialogano ritmicamente: uno impersonificando il ruolo del saggio, l'altro quello del folle.
I due protagonisti sono Tokunaga, un giovane comico che lotta per la fama, e Kamiya, mentore che prende il giovane sotto la propria ala, ma che finirà per deluderne le aspettative.
Questa lettura inneggia alla stranezza e alla non-conformità, in antitesi alla rigida società nipponica e alle sue regole soff0canti. In un Giappone freddo e inospitale, non mancano scintillanti anfratti di umanità: amicizia e divertimento. Grazie all’arte che esprime disagio, l’opinione pubblica verrà infine abbandonata, in favore di una più grande libertà personale. In Come scintille nel mare viene esplorato il nonsense nella sua forma più estrema, quindi certamente un romanzo non per tutti.
In Giappone questo libro ha venduto milioni di copie e ne hanno fatto una serie tv e vari spettacoli. Per me un giudizio a metà: carino, senza infamia e senza lode.
Come pro annovero la descrizione del disagio giovanile, della pressione delle regole imposte, del rapporto mentore-allievo e il modo in cui il saggio della commedia finisca comunque per essere l’inetto nella vita, deludendo le aspettative. Tra i contro annovero un tipo di ironia che per gusto personale non apprezzo, un disagio sociale espresso in modo troppo didascalico e uno stile poco poetico.
August 26, 2021
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This took so many attempts to actually get through and I think the main reason was the writing style. Exploring the world of comedy in Japan, this story follows a friendship between two friends, a mentor and a younger comedian.
This was a case where if I’d felt connected to the characters, I may have had a better time with this book. However, I never felt like I knew the protagonist. The discussions of philosophy and comedy fell flat because I didn’t know enough about the characters outside of those discussions.
Within the last few pages of the book there is a surreal development with one of the characters and the subsequent conversation about trans allyship and transphobia felt completely out of place.
Overall this is probably one of forgettable books I’ve read in a long time. I’m happy that I finally got around to it but I can’t think of anyone that I would recommend it to unfortunately.
2 out of 5 stars!
This took so many attempts to actually get through and I think the main reason was the writing style. Exploring the world of comedy in Japan, this story follows a friendship between two friends, a mentor and a younger comedian.
This was a case where if I’d felt connected to the characters, I may have had a better time with this book. However, I never felt like I knew the protagonist. The discussions of philosophy and comedy fell flat because I didn’t know enough about the characters outside of those discussions.
Within the last few pages of the book there is a surreal development with one of the characters and the subsequent conversation about trans allyship and transphobia felt completely out of place.
Overall this is probably one of forgettable books I’ve read in a long time. I’m happy that I finally got around to it but I can’t think of anyone that I would recommend it to unfortunately.
2 out of 5 stars!
May 8, 2021
I had seen the Netflix series, and I like Japanese fiction generally, so I was interested to read this.
Honestly it’s probably closer to a 3 1/2 star read, but I rounded up as 3 is too low.
As others have said, the humour style is very Japanese and unlikely to translate well to foreign readers. It’s not that funny to me either, as with the series, it was the interaction between the characters I liked, the Tokyo setting and some of the observations.
Is very short at 150 pages too, so no time to wear out it’s welcome.
Recommend for fans of Japanese fiction or culture, maybe not so much for others.
Honestly it’s probably closer to a 3 1/2 star read, but I rounded up as 3 is too low.
As others have said, the humour style is very Japanese and unlikely to translate well to foreign readers. It’s not that funny to me either, as with the series, it was the interaction between the characters I liked, the Tokyo setting and some of the observations.
Is very short at 150 pages too, so no time to wear out it’s welcome.
Recommend for fans of Japanese fiction or culture, maybe not so much for others.
May 17, 2025
Spark by Naoki Matayoshi is a book that is quietly unusual. The story takes us into the world of struggling manzai performers (a traditional style of Japanese comedy). It was told in a moody and reflective manner; while the story is sometimes frustrating, it also takes time to explore the brilliant glimpse into creative obsession and human connection.
I'm only familiar with one traditional form of Japanese comedy called Rakugo, so this was my first time reading a story centered on Manzai. Manzai comedy involves a pair of performers: one playing the boke (the silly or airheaded one) and the other called tsukkomi (pointing out the funny parts or mistakes of 'boke'). Our protagonist, Tokunaga is an earnest but not particularly gifted comedian. But when he met Kamiya, a fellow manzai performer who is everything Tokunaga aspires to be—fierce, intelligent and devoted to the idea of pure comedy. Kamiya becomes sort of his inspiration.
The 'friendship' is not as wholesome as I expected. Kamiya’s uncompromising views often challenge Tokunaga’s self-worth. At times, he inspires him but sometimes frustrates him to the point it quietly breaks his spirit, all while pushing forward with his unrealistic vision of what comedy should be. I truly appreciate the atmosphere of the book and also the social commentary. It is interesting to read their conversation that is sometimes serious and often laced with humor that neither is particularly impressed with. However, I'm quite struggling to truly connect with the story and its comedic elements.
Translating a book that is deeply rooted in its cultural context is incredibly challenging—especially when the humor heavily relies on things like wordplay or puns. Hence, most of their comedy punchlines do not hit me (or I could just not have the same humor taste). I may have to watch the drama adaptation to understand more of their humor, and maybe I will get more explanation about it. Overall, it was a nice experience. Giving this 3.25 ⭐️ Thank you @definitelybooks for the review copy.
I'm only familiar with one traditional form of Japanese comedy called Rakugo, so this was my first time reading a story centered on Manzai. Manzai comedy involves a pair of performers: one playing the boke (the silly or airheaded one) and the other called tsukkomi (pointing out the funny parts or mistakes of 'boke'). Our protagonist, Tokunaga is an earnest but not particularly gifted comedian. But when he met Kamiya, a fellow manzai performer who is everything Tokunaga aspires to be—fierce, intelligent and devoted to the idea of pure comedy. Kamiya becomes sort of his inspiration.
The 'friendship' is not as wholesome as I expected. Kamiya’s uncompromising views often challenge Tokunaga’s self-worth. At times, he inspires him but sometimes frustrates him to the point it quietly breaks his spirit, all while pushing forward with his unrealistic vision of what comedy should be. I truly appreciate the atmosphere of the book and also the social commentary. It is interesting to read their conversation that is sometimes serious and often laced with humor that neither is particularly impressed with. However, I'm quite struggling to truly connect with the story and its comedic elements.
Translating a book that is deeply rooted in its cultural context is incredibly challenging—especially when the humor heavily relies on things like wordplay or puns. Hence, most of their comedy punchlines do not hit me (or I could just not have the same humor taste). I may have to watch the drama adaptation to understand more of their humor, and maybe I will get more explanation about it. Overall, it was a nice experience. Giving this 3.25 ⭐️ Thank you @definitelybooks for the review copy.
March 13, 2018
藝人的演藝生命，最幸運的會綻放出不止息的花火，但對於保持著演出夢想的藝人們，就算是小小的火花，他們也曾經用他們的方式綻放過。
為了夢想，用盡全部的生命支持著，看不到結果與盡頭，回頭想自己，曾為了什麼這樣不顧一切的堅持過？我尊敬你們！為了夢想及目標堅持的人！
前兩天也剛看完電影版的《火花》，書中對於聲音（煙火及漫才的演出）的描寫非常詳細，透過電影的呈現讓這些細節變得更立體；公園中打太鼓的那段，用電影呈現出來太棒了，這本小說基本上也是劇本的架構，因此改編上的難度大概就不太大。
但看完書後，心中的神谷跟電影的有些不一樣，影集的好像比較接近！（雖然電影版的桐谷健太好帥！）但電影的選角還是蠻棒的，這種主題也只有日本人做得到！
#看書小發現：瘂弦竟是馮翊綱的親舅舅，我怎會到現在才知道呢？
為了夢想，用盡全部的生命支持著，看不到結果與盡頭，回頭想自己，曾為了什麼這樣不顧一切的堅持過？我尊敬你們！為了夢想及目標堅持的人！
前兩天也剛看完電影版的《火花》，書中對於聲音（煙火及漫才的演出）的描寫非常詳細，透過電影的呈現讓這些細節變得更立體；公園中打太鼓的那段，用電影呈現出來太棒了，這本小說基本上也是劇本的架構，因此改編上的難度大概就不太大。
但看完書後，心中的神谷跟電影的有些不一樣，影集的好像比較接近！（雖然電影版的桐谷健太好帥！）但電影的選角還是蠻棒的，這種主題也只有日本人做得到！
#看書小發現：瘂弦竟是馮翊綱的親舅舅，我怎會到現在才知道呢？
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