Bicycle Days

by John Burnham Schwartz

When Alec Stern arrives in Japan, he discovers a land of opportunity. For only in Tokyo could an impressionable young man fresh out of college find, in one stroke, a new job, a new family, and a society that lavishes attention on Japanese-speaking gaijin. Yet, even as Alec claims a place in this new world, he is haunted by memories of the one he left behind—a world once infinitely secure but which disintegrated with the breakup of his parents' marriage.

In this incandescently observed novel, John Burnham Schwartz introduces readers to one of the most appealing protagonists in contemporary fiction while enchanting them with the keenness of his eye and the aptness of his voice. Through its exquisitely rendered scenes—a fishing trip of Zen-like serenity; a night at a sex club where giggling businessmen dive into the action—and vividly imagined characters—the laughing mother who taught Alec to ride a bicycle; the beautiful sad Japanese woman who teaches him how to love—Bicycle Days surprises, moves, and enlightens us as very few books do.

Genres: Fiction, Travel, Japan, Asia

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

John Burnham Schwartz grew up in New York City. At Harvard College, he majored in Japanese studies, and upon graduation accepted a position with a prominent Wall Street investment bank, before finally turning the position down after selling his first novel. Schwartz has taught fiction writing at Harvard, The University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, and Sarah Lawrence College, and he is the literary director of the Sun Valley Writers' Conference, one of the leading literary festivals in the United States.

He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, screenwriter and food writer Aleksandra Crapanzano, and their son.

http://www.johnburnhamschwartz.com/

Reviews

[Purlewe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this all the way thru. I've been there and done that in many ways.. the beginning of this novel was excellent. It was clear and stark.. you could see it plainly.. and then as the narrator became more confused, so did the plot. I did not like the end. I wanted it to be as clear and fresh as the rest of the book.

[Sarah Ganz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was aptly read by a river (creek) and reminded me of my time in Sweden, but also not. Thinking a lot about balance and home

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I loved another of this author's books, The Commoner. However, this was not nearly as good. At one point I almost stopped reading it, but I will admit that I'm glad that I kept on reading to the end. Somehow this almost seemed like a bunch of linked short stories. One chapter did not flow well into the next. Also, the main character, Alec, was not entirely likeable. His treatment of women was appalling at most times although he did show flashes of empathy at others. He was a difficult character to figure out. I liked the parts where he was trying to adjust to a different culture. I imagine it would be very difficult to survive in Japan, or in many other cultures, without making some terrible mistakes in human interactions. Interspersed with Alec's present (1989) life are memories of a sometimes difficult childhood and of a relationship with his older brother, Mark, that was sadly distant and often fraught with jealousy. Not a terrible book, but there are much better ones out there.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hemmingway-like terse prose. A character who discovers himself by running away from his problems. The cliched fresh start in a new country where nobody knows your name. It's sounds quite trite.

And it is - kind of.

There's nothing new thematically in Schwartz's "Bicycle Days". It's a post-coming-of-age novel of a twenty-something young man, escaping a tumultuous past, trying to start anew, discovering life and love, and realizing that family is actually pretty important. There's a thousand books that have explored these themes and Schwartz gives us a solid offering in the genre.

It's not great prose and of the various characters, only the protagonist Alec has any depth. Nonetheless, the novel is earnest and makes you think. It's just not great.

A fast read and an enjoyable one.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out so well. As a former ex-pat myself, I felt I had a lot in common with Alec. But by the end, I just wanted to hurry up and finish the book, because I couldn't relate to it anymore. I'm glad I read it because I've been hearing about it for a long time. The first half of the book is spot on when it comes to the strange experiences an American might have in Japan, but the last half was just unrealistic, in my opinion.

[Bachyboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I didn't like this book; it had a disconnected feel and the author tended to use too many short sentences. However it eventually settled and told the story of Alec, an American man who has moved to Japan to find his way and sort out his career/life. Parts of it are quite moving and as might be expected, he does learn more about life. I suppose the ending should come as no surprise but I felt a little let down.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as appealing as Reservation Road, but interesting nevertheless: the story of an American expatriate in Japan, hiding in a sense from his own life and the family he’d like to forget, and trying to become part of a family and community in a new country. When his brother Mark comes for a visit, the temporary nature of his new “home” is revealed, and Alex learns that one can never fully escape home and family ties.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intelligent and insightful...an excellent rendering of the expat experience. Bicycle Days is not a fast-paced story by any means, but the writer approaches his subject with elegance and measure. A remarkable effort for a first-time author; I`m curious to read more of his books to see how his writing matured over time.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this years ago (around 1989) while living in Kyoto. I recall the protagonist as completely unlikable, the book mildly entertaining. Since then Japan become far more accessible to foreigners and far less mysterious, and there are many, many more interesting books to read about Japan, not to mention blogs and magazines.

[Andrew Fukuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tenderness of spirit pervades this novel that captures so well the youthful desires for both exploration and settlement. A book only expats who have felt like strangers in a strange land would truly appreciate.

Ethan Hawke would be perfect in the lead role.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing after reading Reservation Road and Northwest Corner, none of his trademark tenderness and human understanding, and pretty stereotypical characterisation. No promise of greater books to come here.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is delicate, yet strong. It hints at the main character's emotional journey beautifully. I liked the way it handled things, drawing lines around rather than grabbing things that don't seem like they should be touched. Very elegant, nice to read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the way the author writes- I think I could read just about anything he has written- but the story didn't capture me like some of his other books. I don't know that I will read it again.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived in Japan as a youth, I really related to this book.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful imagery, truthful, but sad

[Jackie Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the culture struggle of an american trying to fit into the complex Asian dynamic.

[Sabry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book about family and belonging

[Beth Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtle wisdom, charmingly reflective. This piece reads like an epic poem.

[Clara Peng · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was fun and sweet in many ways and relatable for anyone finding themselves somewhere new.
I appreciated some of the characters thoughts on finding themselves:

“But life's not all one way or another, Alec—not all loneliness or happiness. I gues don't believe people can separate the parts of their lives like that. And if you spend your life thinking you can, or even trying to, I think you always end up a little disappointed."

My friend and I were talking about feeling ‘true’ happiness, a lasting version of the emotion that lasts for months not hours or days. It seems nearly impossible. But really emotions are lost through time and you hold on to what seems most significant from a time, as truly it is rare that in any week you wouldn’t experience a spanning set of events. Even so, you can’t properly discern each attachment and so it might be better just to take life as it is.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful language, but leaves some things left to the reader/unfinished/unresolved, but that sort of thing is expected with a coming of age book.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some beautiful writing elevated this from a 2 to a 3. However, the plot was ultimately: self-centered privileged white man goes to exotic Asian country to learn important life lesson, becoming slightly less self-centered although still privileged. The end. And also, has sex with exotic Asian women. Although many of the other characters were implied to be more complex than Alex could see, the limited third person POV meant we were trapped in his pain and could not transcend . At one point--fishing with Grandfather--I thought I had fallen into a literary version of the Karate Kid.

[Terry]

I loved Claire Marvel and Reservation Road but I haven't been able to get through this one yet despite several attempts. It just doesn't have the same epic feel of those other two books. I think this one might have been his first novel so that might have something to do with it.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in Translation as a novel - but not as good.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely

[Ayelet Waldman]

He's a terrific writer -- lovely prose style. Makes me want to visit Japan.