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The Lovers' Room
[revised version of Momoko]
As the Allied forces occupy Japan at the end of World War II, an intense love affair develops between Australian Allen 'Spin' Bowler, an interpreter in the British army, and Momoko, a woman whose calmness and dignity veil the tiredness and defeat she has suffered.
In the quiet sanctuary of Momoko's room, Spin gradually sheds his shy bookish self and their love blossoms. However, the betrayal that follows has devastating consequences, forever changing the course of both their lives.
As the Allied forces occupy Japan at the end of World War II, an intense love affair develops between Australian Allen 'Spin' Bowler, an interpreter in the British army, and Momoko, a woman whose calmness and dignity veil the tiredness and defeat she has suffered.
In the quiet sanctuary of Momoko's room, Spin gradually sheds his shy bookish self and their love blossoms. However, the betrayal that follows has devastating consequences, forever changing the course of both their lives.
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
7 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Steven Carroll
16 books30 followersSteven Carroll is an Australian novelist. He was born in 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria and studied at La Trobe University. He has taught English at secondary school level, and drama at RMIT. He has been Drama Critic for The Sunday Age newspaper in Melbourne.
Steven Carroll is now a full-time writer living in Melbourne with his partner, the writer Fiona Capp, and their son. As of 2019, he also writes the non-fiction book review column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Steven Carroll is now a full-time writer living in Melbourne with his partner, the writer Fiona Capp, and their son. As of 2019, he also writes the non-fiction book review column for the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 1, 2008
This book really grated on me! I really disliked the two main characters, an unbelievable, weak, male army translator and a stereotyped, ridiculous, female Japanese radio translator. I didn't care for the plot, which was dull and stilted, and left me feeling bored. I really disliked the pretentious descriptions of love, the minute descriptions of EVERY single little thing that happened, and the mind-numbing descriptions of things such as the wave of an arm, the scent of a person, the look of skin. Stay well away from this book.
April 20, 2022
A beautifully written book - love, regret and forgiveness.
November 2, 2020
Это не любовь.
Комната Момоко, комната влюбленных, комната грусти — как ящик Пандоры для трех персонажей книги, включая Йоши. Тонкость китайского шелка; тоска по безнадежно утраченному времени; пыль, поднимающаяся от развалин родного города, а может, и всего мира одной отдельно взятой личности; не осквернение святого, но упрощение сложного. Мост, натянутый между прошлым и будущим. Вот какая здесь манера повествования. "Какая трепетная книга!" — думает сентиментальная моя сторона.
Япония здесь, скорее, лишь декорация. И вообще эта история, несмотря на целостность сюжетной линии, больше напоминает набросок для романа, чем полноценный роман. Особенно в своем финале, так как в события молодых лет я поверила сполна (а может, знаю эту ревность на своей шкуре). Встрече героев в старости — не поверила совсем, мелодраматизм и клише одно на другом. Где ты был, о чем ты думал все эти годы, почему спохватился сейчас? Похоже на еще одну вариацию в исполнении фантазии Аллена-Волчка. "Книжная история", — думает мой внутренний реалист.
В чем сходятся мои противоречивые стороны, так это в том, что не любовь в книге показана. Любовь — это не когда крышу сносит от вида любимой. Любовь — это верить и доверять человеку при любых обстоятельствах. Ведь любовь это не только сияющие глаза. Эта пара друг другу не доверяла. Возможно, их любовь начала расти, так и не успев созреть. А если э т о все же называть любовью — не стоит оно 30 лет терзаний, и забывается довольно быстро.
Но некоторые мгновения невозможно забыть. Всё вокруг них меркнет, оставляя главное, окруженное ореолом тоски и светлой печали.
И вот этот ореол Кэроллу удался мастерски.
Комната Момоко, комната влюбленных, комната грусти — как ящик Пандоры для трех персонажей книги, включая Йоши. Тонкость китайского шелка; тоска по безнадежно утраченному времени; пыль, поднимающаяся от развалин родного города, а может, и всего мира одной отдельно взятой личности; не осквернение святого, но упрощение сложного. Мост, натянутый между прошлым и будущим. Вот какая здесь манера повествования. "Какая трепетная книга!" — думает сентиментальная моя сторона.
Япония здесь, скорее, лишь декорация. И вообще эта история, несмотря на целостность сюжетной линии, больше напоминает набросок для романа, чем полноценный роман. Особенно в своем финале, так как в события молодых лет я поверила сполна (а может, знаю эту ревность на своей шкуре). Встрече героев в старости — не поверила совсем, мелодраматизм и клише одно на другом. Где ты был, о чем ты думал все эти годы, почему спохватился сейчас? Похоже на еще одну вариацию в исполнении фантазии Аллена-Волчка. "Книжная история", — думает мой внутренний реалист.
В чем сходятся мои противоречивые стороны, так это в том, что не любовь в книге показана. Любовь — это не когда крышу сносит от вида любимой. Любовь — это верить и доверять человеку при любых обстоятельствах. Ведь любовь это не только сияющие глаза. Эта пара друг другу не доверяла. Возможно, их любовь начала расти, так и не успев созреть. А если э т о все же называть любовью — не стоит оно 30 лет терзаний, и забывается довольно быстро.
Но некоторые мгновения невозможно забыть. Всё вокруг них меркнет, оставляя главное, окруженное ореолом тоски и светлой печали.
И вот этот ореол Кэроллу удался мастерски.
June 21, 2023
I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. I perhaps should've read the back first, if you liked The Lover's Room you will like, one of the books listed, Everything Must Go that was a waste of my time.
I think I should learn to not only focus on the book's cover, the title, and the short description. 'A fragile love affair...a devastating betrayal. The cover of the geisha intrigued me, not a fan of war stories but a story during the times of war I might read if it seems interesting.
I don't think there was a betrayal, Spin had made up his mind that it was betrayal. I also do not understand Momoko's deception. Why could she not just tell the truth about seeing Yoshi, who was just a friend. I suppose had she told the truth, there would not have been much of a storyline. The ending was a moment of sadness but predictable.
I think I should learn to not only focus on the book's cover, the title, and the short description. 'A fragile love affair...a devastating betrayal. The cover of the geisha intrigued me, not a fan of war stories but a story during the times of war I might read if it seems interesting.
I don't think there was a betrayal, Spin had made up his mind that it was betrayal. I also do not understand Momoko's deception. Why could she not just tell the truth about seeing Yoshi, who was just a friend. I suppose had she told the truth, there would not have been much of a storyline. The ending was a moment of sadness but predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2018
As the Allied forces occupy Japan at the end of World War II, an intense love affair develops between Australian Allen Spin Bowler, an interpreter in the British army, and Momoko, a woman whose calmness and dignity veil the tiredness and defeat she has suffered. In the quiet sanctuary of Momoko's room, Spin gradually sheds his shy bookish self and their love blossoms.
I enjoyed parts of the book,however could not engage with the character's and there was an overall lack of substance.
The sadness of the story is told well but overall an ok read.
I enjoyed parts of the book,however could not engage with the character's and there was an overall lack of substance.
The sadness of the story is told well but overall an ok read.
November 18, 2018
At the end of WWII, a Japanese speaking Australian soldier is sent over to Japan. There he meets a young Japanese woman who was brought up in England.
An intense love affair begins, however, jealousy and suspicion and lack of communication affect their relationship.
A quick read.
An intense love affair begins, however, jealousy and suspicion and lack of communication affect their relationship.
A quick read.
February 11, 2011
‘Now you join the rest.’
At the end of World War II, Allied Forces occupy Japan. One member of the Allied Forces is Allen ‘Spin’ Bowler, an Australian working as an interpreter in the British Army. He meets Momoko, the London raised daughter of a Japanese diplomat. The two embark on a love affair which also meets other needs: Momoko is energised, as the affair takes her away (at least for a while) from the destruction and defeat of Japan; while Spin, a loner with low self-esteem, becomes more sure of himself.
In Momoko’s room, absorbed in each other, the outside world is of little importance. The past can be pushed to one side, and the future does not feature.
But Spin’s obsession with Momoko leads him to follow her, and when he discovers Momoko meeting with another man, he thinks the worst. Momoko has been helping an old boyfriend, Yoshi, a former artist whose war-time experiences have badly affected him. Momoko is helping Yoshi from a sense of duty, and on the day on which she is to assist him for the last time, Spin’s jealousy results in actions which render her sacrifice worthless. Spin’s jealous, impulsive actions destroy his relationship with Momoko and change both of their lives.
‘One wretched hour. God, one hour was the difference between living and dying slowly.’
Years later, Professor Bowler’s memories of Momoko are heightened by the particular mannerisms of a Japanese student who comes to him for help. He decides to try to locate Momoko. His journey takes him back to Japan, and then to London where he discovers that the past is over, but cannot be forgotten.
‘Only this absurd hope, that somewhere out there was a past that might yet be soothed and a brief future yet to be embraced.’
I enjoyed most of this novel, but wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending. It seemed appropriate in some ways, but almost too neat.
This novel was first published in 1994 as ‘Momoko’, it was revised by Steven Carroll and published as ‘The Lover’s Room’ in 2007.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
At the end of World War II, Allied Forces occupy Japan. One member of the Allied Forces is Allen ‘Spin’ Bowler, an Australian working as an interpreter in the British Army. He meets Momoko, the London raised daughter of a Japanese diplomat. The two embark on a love affair which also meets other needs: Momoko is energised, as the affair takes her away (at least for a while) from the destruction and defeat of Japan; while Spin, a loner with low self-esteem, becomes more sure of himself.
In Momoko’s room, absorbed in each other, the outside world is of little importance. The past can be pushed to one side, and the future does not feature.
But Spin’s obsession with Momoko leads him to follow her, and when he discovers Momoko meeting with another man, he thinks the worst. Momoko has been helping an old boyfriend, Yoshi, a former artist whose war-time experiences have badly affected him. Momoko is helping Yoshi from a sense of duty, and on the day on which she is to assist him for the last time, Spin’s jealousy results in actions which render her sacrifice worthless. Spin’s jealous, impulsive actions destroy his relationship with Momoko and change both of their lives.
‘One wretched hour. God, one hour was the difference between living and dying slowly.’
Years later, Professor Bowler’s memories of Momoko are heightened by the particular mannerisms of a Japanese student who comes to him for help. He decides to try to locate Momoko. His journey takes him back to Japan, and then to London where he discovers that the past is over, but cannot be forgotten.
‘Only this absurd hope, that somewhere out there was a past that might yet be soothed and a brief future yet to be embraced.’
I enjoyed most of this novel, but wasn’t entirely satisfied with the ending. It seemed appropriate in some ways, but almost too neat.
This novel was first published in 1994 as ‘Momoko’, it was revised by Steven Carroll and published as ‘The Lover’s Room’ in 2007.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 7, 2011
For unknown reasons this book caught my attention...
"A fragile love affair..a devastating betrayal"
In the autumn of 1945, Allen 'spin' Bowler lands in Tokyo, Japan, as a interpreter with the British Army. While working for a radio company, interpreting japanese scripts into english and back again, he meets Momoko, a young japanese woman who went to school and lived in London before the war. In the sanctuary of Momoko's room, their love blossoms. And Spin starts to feel what its like to actually 'have someone'. But a betrayal follows and it leaves devastating consquences changing both Spin and Momoko's lives forever.
Back in Melbourne Australia, where Spin is from, a japanese lit student from london calls upon 'professer' Bowler for help. Her presense causes Spin to recollect those fragile memories involving Momoko and the betrayal that has haunted them both in their separate lives.
When i first picked this book up i knew i wanted to read it, i cant say why because i've no idea. I dont usually do romance. But after reading the blurb again and again over a few weeks, i picked it up from the library and got it out. And i loved it. The way it was written was appealing and the story was a little different. I liked the fact that you were left guessing at things that took a little time to come out. And that although i thought it was going to be predictable, it oddly wasn't. I'd deffinately read it again!
"A fragile love affair..a devastating betrayal"
In the autumn of 1945, Allen 'spin' Bowler lands in Tokyo, Japan, as a interpreter with the British Army. While working for a radio company, interpreting japanese scripts into english and back again, he meets Momoko, a young japanese woman who went to school and lived in London before the war. In the sanctuary of Momoko's room, their love blossoms. And Spin starts to feel what its like to actually 'have someone'. But a betrayal follows and it leaves devastating consquences changing both Spin and Momoko's lives forever.
Back in Melbourne Australia, where Spin is from, a japanese lit student from london calls upon 'professer' Bowler for help. Her presense causes Spin to recollect those fragile memories involving Momoko and the betrayal that has haunted them both in their separate lives.
When i first picked this book up i knew i wanted to read it, i cant say why because i've no idea. I dont usually do romance. But after reading the blurb again and again over a few weeks, i picked it up from the library and got it out. And i loved it. The way it was written was appealing and the story was a little different. I liked the fact that you were left guessing at things that took a little time to come out. And that although i thought it was going to be predictable, it oddly wasn't. I'd deffinately read it again!
January 16, 2011
I'd read mixed reviews about this but I try not to let other people's views cloud my own. I really wanted to like this book. I love books about the war and this was a different slant on the normal war novels as it showed the Japanese point of view after the war. Momoko is a Japanese woman who has lived in England and returned to Japan when war broke out and after war ends she meets up with 'Spin' Bowler who is there with the Allied Forces. They become lovers and eventually something happens (I won't spoil it for others) and the couple part. I felt there was something lacking in the book and I'm not sure exactly what it was! The characters just didn't seem to gel for me and although I enjoyed the book, I didn't feel too much sympathy for the characters. Spin wasn't a particularly likeable character, Momoko was slightly more likeable but think the way their characters were portrayed by the author didn't help the story! Not the worst book I've ever read though by any means!
April 5, 2015
I’m surprised by the low rating for this book. I thought it was an absolutely gorgeous story by one of my favourite Australian writers.
The book starts a little slow, but I found myself engrossed in the 1945 time periods. It has duel time periods and begins in Melbourne in 1973 when Allen Bowler, a Professor of English, is startled a little and stirred by the sudden presence of a student in his doorway. The young woman speaks English clearly, that of someone from London, although her eyes are Japanese. The end of the prologue had a hook, which kept me reading.
Taken to Tokyo in 1945 we meet Momoko, a translator, and the beginning of their affair, which takes place inside the sanctuary of Momoko’s apartment where they can both forget the reality of not only the war, but their differences. As their passion for each other rises, so do the doubts, secrets, and ultimately a betrayal that has life changing consequences.
The book starts a little slow, but I found myself engrossed in the 1945 time periods. It has duel time periods and begins in Melbourne in 1973 when Allen Bowler, a Professor of English, is startled a little and stirred by the sudden presence of a student in his doorway. The young woman speaks English clearly, that of someone from London, although her eyes are Japanese. The end of the prologue had a hook, which kept me reading.
Taken to Tokyo in 1945 we meet Momoko, a translator, and the beginning of their affair, which takes place inside the sanctuary of Momoko’s apartment where they can both forget the reality of not only the war, but their differences. As their passion for each other rises, so do the doubts, secrets, and ultimately a betrayal that has life changing consequences.
December 17, 2014
This book has, I think, this typical breath of Japan. The Japanese special style of writing, making everything simple and clear. Though, I also noticed it is not a big work of our times. It's just a book. One of many that doesn't really change anything in your life but makes you think all over again about love.
October 28, 2007
Enjoyed every page of this. Shows the impact on a whole life that one jealous act can do. I loved the ending and the fact that it was not a 'happy ever after' tale, more real life than that. Some beautiful writing.
October 29, 2007
enjoying this so far
April 18, 2008
Poorly written. The plot had potential, but the narrative leaves much to be desired.
February 3, 2009
learnt a lot about the war- I hope! also sad and cynical and read going down the Nile. Two books by same author may have been an overdose
June 14, 2011
This book really irked me. 'A dellusional rapist' would have been a much more appropriate title - there was no love involved. Boring also comes to mind...
April 15, 2015
An uneventful story with vapid descriptions of a singular incident blown way out of proportion... Bored out of my skull!!
April 13, 2017
Sad ending!
The story definitely grew on me after a 'not sure I'll finish it' start.
The story definitely grew on me after a 'not sure I'll finish it' start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews