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Chase of the Rising Sun
Immersive, fascinating and with an ending that will quite simply… blow your socks off!
Who ever really knows themselves? And if you don’t know yourself, can you ever be truly happy? Mark Rasper is a thirty-year old man who has always had a fascination with Japan. It started when he played Metal Gear Solid with school buddy Paul, becoming thoroughly captivated not only by everything Japanese, but by the character Solid Snake. When a transfer opportunity turns up at the company he works for, he doesn’t hesitate, and before he has time to change his mind he is on a plane to Tokyo. Mark is no tourist; he is there to be absorbed into this kaleidoscope of colors, with its rich heritage and honorable lifestyle. He soon learns that karoshi means overworked to death, and that being able to sing makes him a karaoke star! But what will he learn about himself? Is he embracing a new life, or simply running away? What will it take for him to stop and really look deep?
Chase of the Rising Sun is an invitation to take a peek into the wonderful, colorful world that is Japan. Soak up traditions, and experience real life in Tokyo – a world apart from ‘Lost in Translation.’ Absorb the atmosphere; get to know the people, and witness first-hand one of the most devastating events in Japanese history.
Drench yourself in Japanese culture, and to read a story with an unexpected and extremely powerful ending!
Who ever really knows themselves? And if you don’t know yourself, can you ever be truly happy? Mark Rasper is a thirty-year old man who has always had a fascination with Japan. It started when he played Metal Gear Solid with school buddy Paul, becoming thoroughly captivated not only by everything Japanese, but by the character Solid Snake. When a transfer opportunity turns up at the company he works for, he doesn’t hesitate, and before he has time to change his mind he is on a plane to Tokyo. Mark is no tourist; he is there to be absorbed into this kaleidoscope of colors, with its rich heritage and honorable lifestyle. He soon learns that karoshi means overworked to death, and that being able to sing makes him a karaoke star! But what will he learn about himself? Is he embracing a new life, or simply running away? What will it take for him to stop and really look deep?
Chase of the Rising Sun is an invitation to take a peek into the wonderful, colorful world that is Japan. Soak up traditions, and experience real life in Tokyo – a world apart from ‘Lost in Translation.’ Absorb the atmosphere; get to know the people, and witness first-hand one of the most devastating events in Japanese history.
Drench yourself in Japanese culture, and to read a story with an unexpected and extremely powerful ending!
370 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2021
3 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read
About the author
Colin Rink
2 books30 followersHello everybody!
I am a writer from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. I first started writing short stories that were passed around to friends and family in 2010. As part of a nationwide tour as a musician, I released a book of poetry titled 'A Walk, Uphill in the Snow' which was a collection of works from a poetry project I completed in 2008 where I wrote a poem everyday for a year. My first book 'Chase of the Rising Sun' was released in February of 2021, and a large group of the proceeds will be donated to the survivors and families affected by the earthquake and Tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011.
When I'm not reading or writing, I enjoy playing video games (Metal Gear Solid is my favourite), listening to music and getting out to the beautiful surroundings of Vancouver; hiking, camping and playing softball. When Covid-19 is over, I look forward to travelling abroad again.
I am always around for questions and good conversation, so reach out! Ask me anything and feel free to find me on instagram @colinrink.thewriter!
I am a writer from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. I first started writing short stories that were passed around to friends and family in 2010. As part of a nationwide tour as a musician, I released a book of poetry titled 'A Walk, Uphill in the Snow' which was a collection of works from a poetry project I completed in 2008 where I wrote a poem everyday for a year. My first book 'Chase of the Rising Sun' was released in February of 2021, and a large group of the proceeds will be donated to the survivors and families affected by the earthquake and Tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011.
When I'm not reading or writing, I enjoy playing video games (Metal Gear Solid is my favourite), listening to music and getting out to the beautiful surroundings of Vancouver; hiking, camping and playing softball. When Covid-19 is over, I look forward to travelling abroad again.
I am always around for questions and good conversation, so reach out! Ask me anything and feel free to find me on instagram @colinrink.thewriter!
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 13, 2021
I won a copy of this book through GoodReads. I was interested in this book primarily because the author, Colin Risk, is from Vancouver, B.C. I grew up in Vancouver . Another thing that appealed to me was that it was about a young man who moves from Vancouver to Japan. In late March 2020, my son had a trip to Japan all planned and then the pandemic hit and he has not been able to make his trip. But he is still hoping. I really enjoyed this book. It seemed to move really smoothly and so was very nice to read. The basic story about a man moving to Japan and what he encounters was really interesting. The main character is into video games and so there are some parts of the story where he speaks about video games. I personally did not think that this part of the story was necessary. It did not seem to add anything to the story. For me it sort of distracted from the story. All in all I really liked this book. I would recommend that others give it a read.
March 22, 2021
A young man seeking the "geographic cure" ditches his frustrating life in Vancouver and pursues what he hopes will be a better life, or at least a new life, in Tokyo. Through a first person narrative the reader follows this character as he explores the mysteries, wonders, absurdities, and challenges of being young and being a "gaijin" (foreigner) living and working in Japan.
But then. Somehow I never saw this coming. The last 100 pages unexpectedly grab and overwhelm the reader — I won't say why, or what happens, but suddenly I was swept away by events, and could not put this book down.
An ambitious first novel that is still percolating, still resonating, still making me think about the ambitions and foolishness of youth, the unexpected consequences of choices in life, and the contradictions and realities of futuristic Tokyo.
But then. Somehow I never saw this coming. The last 100 pages unexpectedly grab and overwhelm the reader — I won't say why, or what happens, but suddenly I was swept away by events, and could not put this book down.
An ambitious first novel that is still percolating, still resonating, still making me think about the ambitions and foolishness of youth, the unexpected consequences of choices in life, and the contradictions and realities of futuristic Tokyo.
January 3, 2021
if you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ll love this book. if you’ve ever been curious as to what it would be like to visit Japan, you’ll love this book. if you just like exciting books with intricate character development and getting lost in a new world, what can i say? you’ll love this book.
April 5, 2021
Mark Rasper has bet it all on one considered throw of the dice. He’s sold off everything he owns, parted ways with his girlfriend, and has bought a one-way ticket from Vancouver to Narita. It’s a one-way mission for the video games enthusiast. He’s going to find a way to make his new job work and live the life of his dreams, where video games and manga are intertwined with everyday life.
The protagonist waxes lyrical when speaking of his favorite video game—he’s obviously a real lover of pastime. It’s real to him in a way that only real, physical environments can be to most.
It’s the character’s unbridled enthusiasm for everything Japanese that establishes Mark as a charming sympathetic character, whose admiration for his adopted culture never falters—he even enjoys the Tokyo subways.
But the new life isn’t without its difficulties. Mark must learn written Japanese in three different forms—Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji—and do it quickly to be of any real use to his team on the job at the East West Grain company’s Tokyo office. He must drink with the men on his team on Friday night and still show up on Saturday morning and work—hangover or no. And he must learn to internalize the strong Japanese work ethic.
The setting is a huge part of the tale, and the author has repeatedly, lovingly described Japan, particularly Tokyo. No unexplored corner is off-limits for the adventures the protagonist takes with his new companions. And no detail is spared when he must later deal with tragedy. I was immersed in Japan in a way that is normally reserved for fantasy or historical adventures, rather than a contemporary story.
If all that sounds like your kind of tale, then Chase of the Rising Sun will likely satisfy your story itch.
The protagonist waxes lyrical when speaking of his favorite video game—he’s obviously a real lover of pastime. It’s real to him in a way that only real, physical environments can be to most.
It’s the character’s unbridled enthusiasm for everything Japanese that establishes Mark as a charming sympathetic character, whose admiration for his adopted culture never falters—he even enjoys the Tokyo subways.
But the new life isn’t without its difficulties. Mark must learn written Japanese in three different forms—Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji—and do it quickly to be of any real use to his team on the job at the East West Grain company’s Tokyo office. He must drink with the men on his team on Friday night and still show up on Saturday morning and work—hangover or no. And he must learn to internalize the strong Japanese work ethic.
The setting is a huge part of the tale, and the author has repeatedly, lovingly described Japan, particularly Tokyo. No unexplored corner is off-limits for the adventures the protagonist takes with his new companions. And no detail is spared when he must later deal with tragedy. I was immersed in Japan in a way that is normally reserved for fantasy or historical adventures, rather than a contemporary story.
If all that sounds like your kind of tale, then Chase of the Rising Sun will likely satisfy your story itch.
April 13, 2021
Really enjoyed this book!!! I hate spoilers, though, so it's a hard one to review... I'll try to give you a flavour, instead!
Mark, the narrator and protagonist - pretty impulsive guy - leaves Vancouver for Tokyo. As he thinks, with unusual gloom, "I had no drive or direction in my life, a girlfriend who might have been cheating on me, a life in Vancouver that had no excitement..."
But life in Japan isn't all manga, fab noodles and wasabi-flavoured Kit-Kats either.
Admittedly, there's the deliciously understatedly sexy Umi in the office, but tough-guy boss Tanakasan, the relentless workload and even the post-work socialising can get a guy down... Luckily, Mark has a humorous resilience, and there are some great set-pieces (involving not only the socialising-gone-wrong, but sumo, a girl called Kristen, and some shocking news from home).
This is clever, neatly-done escapism - until - quite suddenly - it isn't. But I don't want to give the end away. Suffice to say that I grew up in Asia and know Japan pretty well, and the whole culture clash really worked for me. Will look out for more from Colin Rink!
Mark, the narrator and protagonist - pretty impulsive guy - leaves Vancouver for Tokyo. As he thinks, with unusual gloom, "I had no drive or direction in my life, a girlfriend who might have been cheating on me, a life in Vancouver that had no excitement..."
But life in Japan isn't all manga, fab noodles and wasabi-flavoured Kit-Kats either.
Admittedly, there's the deliciously understatedly sexy Umi in the office, but tough-guy boss Tanakasan, the relentless workload and even the post-work socialising can get a guy down... Luckily, Mark has a humorous resilience, and there are some great set-pieces (involving not only the socialising-gone-wrong, but sumo, a girl called Kristen, and some shocking news from home).
This is clever, neatly-done escapism - until - quite suddenly - it isn't. But I don't want to give the end away. Suffice to say that I grew up in Asia and know Japan pretty well, and the whole culture clash really worked for me. Will look out for more from Colin Rink!
March 13, 2021
How many of us have turned 30 and wondered, is this it? This is a book that will appeal to anyone who thought about escaping the monotony of life as it transports its main character, Mark Rasper, into the unknown of another place and culture. Not only is this a well-plotted adventure story, but it’s informative and inspirational.
Rasper, bored of his mundane desk job in Vancouver and dismayed by his wealthy, superficial girlfriend decided to pack up his life and cash it all in for a one-way ticket to Japan. At first, he doesn’t seem to know what he’s searching for but he figures it has to be better than the life he is currently leading. He has a mild understanding of Tokyo having visited there a decade earlier with his best friend Paul; their love of the video game ‘Metal Gear Solid’ the motivation behind that trip. With ‘Solid Snake’ – the main character of the game – providing moral narrative support, Mark appears ready and set for this wonderful new adventure.
It turns out Mark isn’t completely aimless when he arrives in Tokyo, having kept his job with East West Grain Company where he had worked in Vancouver. Given he’s working for the same company, he figures that he’ll be able to just go through the motions the way he did back home but he soon finds out that the Japanese work ethic and culture is not the same as the North American one. He is expected to perform well – long hours the norm – and without being fluent in Japanese, his adventure is proving far more challenging than he imagined. With both allies and enemies in the company, will Mark figure things out and succeed or will he flame out and be left in the lurch?
I absolutely loved this book. Not only was it full of adventure but I could never really tell where the story was going, which added to the intrigue. Is Mark looking for love and companionship, an escape from his previous existence or is he searching for something even deeper? The author writes from heart and gut, displaying a keen awareness of Japanese culture and customs as he takes Rasper on a wild ride through the streets and subways of Tokyo to the industrial ports of the nations’ hinterland. The writing is detailed and descriptive. It captures the scenery and makes you feel like you’re right there in the sweltering heat, neon lights and density of the world’s largest city. The characters have depth – the dialogue is rich. The ending is most satisfying, the epilogue revealing. I highly recommend this debut novel!
Rasper, bored of his mundane desk job in Vancouver and dismayed by his wealthy, superficial girlfriend decided to pack up his life and cash it all in for a one-way ticket to Japan. At first, he doesn’t seem to know what he’s searching for but he figures it has to be better than the life he is currently leading. He has a mild understanding of Tokyo having visited there a decade earlier with his best friend Paul; their love of the video game ‘Metal Gear Solid’ the motivation behind that trip. With ‘Solid Snake’ – the main character of the game – providing moral narrative support, Mark appears ready and set for this wonderful new adventure.
It turns out Mark isn’t completely aimless when he arrives in Tokyo, having kept his job with East West Grain Company where he had worked in Vancouver. Given he’s working for the same company, he figures that he’ll be able to just go through the motions the way he did back home but he soon finds out that the Japanese work ethic and culture is not the same as the North American one. He is expected to perform well – long hours the norm – and without being fluent in Japanese, his adventure is proving far more challenging than he imagined. With both allies and enemies in the company, will Mark figure things out and succeed or will he flame out and be left in the lurch?
I absolutely loved this book. Not only was it full of adventure but I could never really tell where the story was going, which added to the intrigue. Is Mark looking for love and companionship, an escape from his previous existence or is he searching for something even deeper? The author writes from heart and gut, displaying a keen awareness of Japanese culture and customs as he takes Rasper on a wild ride through the streets and subways of Tokyo to the industrial ports of the nations’ hinterland. The writing is detailed and descriptive. It captures the scenery and makes you feel like you’re right there in the sweltering heat, neon lights and density of the world’s largest city. The characters have depth – the dialogue is rich. The ending is most satisfying, the epilogue revealing. I highly recommend this debut novel!
January 6, 2021
Fuelled by a passion for Japan, and possessed by a love of Metal Gear Solid, Mark Rasper decides to quit his stagnant life in Vancouver Canada, and put everything on the line to live in Tokyo. A realistic account of the ups and downs and awkwardness that come with starting over alone in a country where you don't yet speak the language. From the exhilaration of being submerged in Japanese culture, to the terror of learning how to survive life's unpredictable horrors, Chase of the Rising Sun took me on a wild ride through the many fascinating districts of Tokyo! I've never visited Japan in person, but one day I hope to get the chance, with a copy of this book in my back pocket.
April 11, 2021
As I read this story, I had to remind myself that this was fiction though brilliantly written as a memoir might be. An ordinary young man, Mark Rasper, moves to Japan more on a whim and gets an ordinary job, but the way Rink tells the story, keeps it interesting as we experience the bigotry Rasper experiences as a Canadian in Japan, so full of tradition. There is romance, there is a chase, and there is a very fulfilling, very unexpected ending and an epilogue that is so convincing that I had to double check again that this was truly fiction.
February 3, 2021
Leaving it all behind Mark quits his job in Vancouver in search of a new life in Japan. Not knowing what life is going to throw at him and armed with a passion for Metal Gear Solid, you'll join him for a wild humorous ride of adventure and discovery.
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Even though I've never been to Japan it felt like I was right there along side Mark, bar hoping and traveling into the dark of night.
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Even though I've never been to Japan it felt like I was right there along side Mark, bar hoping and traveling into the dark of night.
September 12, 2021
Highly entertaining.
At the age of 30, Mark felt he wasn’t happy with his life in Vancouver, Canada. He was in love with Japan, its videogames and culture ever since school years when together with his friend Paul they consumed every information they got about the country. Even though nothing seemed to lack, Mark decided to go to Japan and start fresh. It was not easy to leave behind his country, family, friends, and girlfriend, but he had to do it. “I knew I needed a change, and whatever I’m going to discover there is going to be far better than anything I would have found in Vancouver, even though it’s home.”
Starting a new life wasn’t easy. He had to learn the language and adapt to the working environment in Japan. No matter how much he enjoyed living his dream, several events made him double-check his decision. Mark/Maku wasn’t satisfied with his job, he didn’t seem to have much luck in love, he didn’t make any friends apart from work colleagues, and he was a victim of a significant natural disaster. Still, he didn’t give up. He knew why he loved Japan, and most importantly, Maku knew what he wanted from life.
This is a slow-paced story but highly engaging. Although it is a work of fiction, it gets as accurate as if it were true. The number of details and descriptions makes you feel part of the scenario, seeing, feeling, and breathing as Mark’s main character. The story gives much information about Japan, its culture, traditions, and people and makes you fall in love with the country. It really made me add Japan to my list of countries I want to visit. After all, as the author says: “Life is a journey—a walk full of chances, adventures, and risks you have to take in order to see where you stand.”
At the age of 30, Mark felt he wasn’t happy with his life in Vancouver, Canada. He was in love with Japan, its videogames and culture ever since school years when together with his friend Paul they consumed every information they got about the country. Even though nothing seemed to lack, Mark decided to go to Japan and start fresh. It was not easy to leave behind his country, family, friends, and girlfriend, but he had to do it. “I knew I needed a change, and whatever I’m going to discover there is going to be far better than anything I would have found in Vancouver, even though it’s home.”
Starting a new life wasn’t easy. He had to learn the language and adapt to the working environment in Japan. No matter how much he enjoyed living his dream, several events made him double-check his decision. Mark/Maku wasn’t satisfied with his job, he didn’t seem to have much luck in love, he didn’t make any friends apart from work colleagues, and he was a victim of a significant natural disaster. Still, he didn’t give up. He knew why he loved Japan, and most importantly, Maku knew what he wanted from life.
This is a slow-paced story but highly engaging. Although it is a work of fiction, it gets as accurate as if it were true. The number of details and descriptions makes you feel part of the scenario, seeing, feeling, and breathing as Mark’s main character. The story gives much information about Japan, its culture, traditions, and people and makes you fall in love with the country. It really made me add Japan to my list of countries I want to visit. After all, as the author says: “Life is a journey—a walk full of chances, adventures, and risks you have to take in order to see where you stand.”
April 13, 2021
A young man Mark Rasper has come to a turning point in his life and has decided to go for it all, making a game changing choice..to give up it all and head to Japan. He is somewhat fortunate in that he is working for a company that has an office in Japan. He has visited Japan before with a friend and has some idea of the the country but to go and immerse oneself in the culture, work force and start over, takes fortitude. The book has an easy style that allows the reader to follow our hosts ups and downs while trying to be accepted. Acceptance is not easy as one is viewed as and Outsider and odds stacked against you. The corporate structure is not one for the individual but stresses the Company first and foremost. The language and his ability to communicate with others has taken a life of its own and the major obstacle in his daily life. For and Outsider, life is a struggle and Mark falls into a routine of drinking and work, pressure is always on to produce and be part of the team. Mark slowly comes into himself and has made a few friends with fellow workers and he starts to grow. He realizes there is so much more to japan than work and is able to venture out and explore.
The later part of the book takes Mark on a journey and results in experiences far beyond the norm, he is caught in a disaster and with his friend, they are able to make the best of things. One is able to see the change in Mark, he is still an Outsider but has excepted this and moved on.
The later part of the book takes Mark on a journey and results in experiences far beyond the norm, he is caught in a disaster and with his friend, they are able to make the best of things. One is able to see the change in Mark, he is still an Outsider but has excepted this and moved on.
April 27, 2022
I received a free ARC of Chase of the Rising Sun and I'm not sure if it is a memoir or fiction. It's written as in-depth as a memoir (including an epilogue that could be found in a memoir) with fiction elements.
It's a very... dense book. It took me a long time to read it because of how many things were wrapped into each page, some of which didn't fit the tone quite well. Most of the time, there was a relaxed, calm, tourist-type vibe from Mark and his trip, with the occasional interlude of slightly detailed sex scenes? I'm not sure why they were included - at least, with how they were portrayed in the story, and it felt very awkward at those moments.
I'm pretty sure the story is set in 2011, or around that time, but I wasn't expecting the end. (For the most part - I know the stuff that happened in quite a bit of detail so it was easier for me to know what was coming) There were still some fantastical elements included and I can see why there are so many other reviews saying they were shocked with the details.
Not bad! It is, however, too long and (slightly) convoluted for me to read it again. Lots of details towards Japan, you'd like it if you love Japan.
It's a very... dense book. It took me a long time to read it because of how many things were wrapped into each page, some of which didn't fit the tone quite well. Most of the time, there was a relaxed, calm, tourist-type vibe from Mark and his trip, with the occasional interlude of slightly detailed sex scenes? I'm not sure why they were included - at least, with how they were portrayed in the story, and it felt very awkward at those moments.
I'm pretty sure the story is set in 2011, or around that time, but I wasn't expecting the end. (For the most part - I know the stuff that happened in quite a bit of detail so it was easier for me to know what was coming) There were still some fantastical elements included and I can see why there are so many other reviews saying they were shocked with the details.
Not bad! It is, however, too long and (slightly) convoluted for me to read it again. Lots of details towards Japan, you'd like it if you love Japan.
March 13, 2022
Chase of the Rising Sun is an interesting tale written by Colin Rink that is told in the viewpoint by protagonist Mark Rasper. A 30 year old man from Canada, Mark has had a fascination with Japanese culture that’s extended since childhood, and this is detailed through his penchant for the Metal Gear Solid franchise. That said fascination with Japanese culture leads him traveling to Japan to explore the culture for himself. The narrator’s love for Metal Gear’s Solid Snake was an aspect that I related to because I myself have played several of the Metal Gear games itself, and admires how far the series has gone over the decades. The narration, which resembles that of a memoir, allows readers to learn about the culture and tradition that define Japan. Those who are into Japanese culture will have delight in reading this novel by Colin.
August 30, 2021
Colin Rink's Chase of the Rising Sun is a well-written fast-paced work that keeps the reader's attention from start to finish. The characters (especially. Mark, Umni, Hato, Colin, and Tanaka) are well developed and the storyline from the beginning to the climax holds the readers interest. You will feel like you are in Japan and the Tokyo area when you read this book. Some plot points reminded me of scenes from the movies Gung Ho, Black Rain, and Earthquake. Readers should be entertained.
June 21, 2021
The strength of this book is also its greatest weakness. Chase of the Rising Sun is the story of a Canadian man, Mark, who decided to make a new life for himself in Japan when he turned 30, inspired by a video game that he loves. The road for Mark is hard, even though he is fortunate enough to walk into a tailor-made job as soon as he arrives. The author's descriptions of Japanese culture and a westerner's reaction to it are spot on. The problem for me was that the cultural descriptions were too detailed, and tended to take over the book at the expense of the story. The author also dwelled on the minutiae of Mark's life too much. All of this made it difficult for me to identify with Mark until the latter part of the book, so I've deducted a star.
September 11, 2022
I honestly don't know how I found out about this book, but boy was it quite the experience.
(Immersive, fascinating and with an ending that will quite simply… blow your socks off!
Who ever really knows themselves? And if you don’t know yourself, can you ever be truly happy? Mark Rasper is a thirty-year old man who has always had a fascination with Japan. It started when he played Metal Gear Solid with school buddy Paul, becoming thoroughly captivated not only by everything Japanese, but by the character Solid Snake. When a transfer opportunity turns up at the company he works for, he doesn’t hesitate, and before he has time to change his mind he is on a plane to Tokyo. Mark is no tourist; he is there to be absorbed into this kaleidoscope of colors, with its rich heritage and honorable lifestyle. He soon learns that karoshi means overworked to death, and that being able to sing makes him a karaoke star! But what will he learn about himself? Is he embracing a new life, or simply running away? What will it take for him to stop and really look deep?
Chase of the Rising Sun is an invitation to take a peek into the wonderful, colorful world that is Japan. Soak up traditions, and experience real life in Tokyo – a world apart from ‘Lost in Translation.’ Absorb the atmosphere; get to know the people, and witness first-hand one of the most devastating events in Japanese history.
Drench yourself in Japanese culture, and to read a story with an unexpected and extremely powerful ending!) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I really liked Mark as a character. Even though this is a work of fiction, his narration style and dialogue made him sound like he was a real person dictating his memoir about making it in a foreign country. The main thing that got me to root for him though was his enthusiasm and determination for making this huge life change despite his fears and anxieties. I also admired how much he really grew as a person, not just in his Japanese language skills, but in a few other areas as well.
Aside from having the Japanese characters point even though it's considered rude to do so in Japan and Mark saying he watched a lot of manga in chapter fourteen and Umi saying to him "Manga is on every day" even though manga is something one reads and not watches (seriously, this really isn't a mistake people like them should be making), it really feels like the author did their homework and really put in the effort to make his portrayal of Japan as accurate as possible. Not only that, but even though there was a lot of information packed in, there was just enough to give the reader an understanding as to what's going on or why something is happening in a specific way, but not too much to where it slowed the pacing.
Mark and Umi's first adventure in Tokyo together was a blast. In addition to being really cute and fun, it really gave a ton of insight into Umi as a character without giving everything away. She has a habit of playfully disappearing and reappearing, has a good sense of humor, is caring, and seems to know all the best kept secrets of Tokyo. After this, she honestly became one of my favorite characters, which is really impressive considering that before this, the only real character trait she had was a vaguley defined tragic backstory.
For that matter, I also enjoyed the romance between Mark and Umi. It really kept the energy and momentum from that first adventure going without resorting to doing the same thing over and over again. I really wasn't as frustrated with the outcome as I thought I would be, as the story actually commits to it and doesn't do the whole thing like quite a few other romances. What also made it a lot less frustrating than I expected was that
The sumo match in chapter twenty-nine was awesome. It's just one match, but there's so much suspense and energy packed into it. The aftermath where the crowd is celebrating and throwing the mats into the ring and the excitement from Mark, Hato-san, and Hato-san's daughter really add to its greatness as well.
From to , the story gets so absolutely unapologetically bonkers, I can't help but enjoy it. But what really makes it interesting is that, later on, the story basically confirms that it actually happened. Not only that, but prior to these chapters, the story was a grounded, slice of life story about a guy making his way in a foreign country, making extremely drastic.
There are some parts of this story that clearly needed some editing. So in chapter one, it's revealed that Mark loves Metal Gear Solid and that it's one of the major reasons why he got into Japanese culture. However, the book takes practically the entire chapter to establish this one piece of information. Now I would be more forgiving if one of Mark's character traits was being a rambler or something, but that's really not the case. This chapter could've honestly been trimmed and nothing important would've been lost. The book also reveals that Mark and his friend Paul have gone to Japan years prior to the events of the story. Yet, Mark seems to have forgotten almost the entire Japanese language, bits and pieces of the culture, and so on, making me question why this detail is even here. If all traces of it were removed, the story would still play out the same.
There's this really weird error in chapter five. It's a piece of dialogue that, for some reason, is formatted like this: “I am very sorry for the mix-up. It was
very embarrassing and a dishonor to you and your travels. I had an important meeting this morning and did not get the message right away. Please accept my apologies.” Hato bows again. “I assure you this is not how we do business in Japan, and it will not happen again.” This isn't a device issue. It was present on both my phone and laptop. I've encountered another kind of weird line formatting when reading Opal Song and since my review of that book, I've learned from the author herself that the error was the fault of their tech person who put the raw file together. I think that's probably what's going on with this part as well, but I couldn't find any real evidence to confirm that.
In chapter twenty-five, Umi says this about Lost in Translation, "Japanese people don't really like that movie. It does not portray us in a good way. We are not that weird, and we are not as impolite or unsophisticated as it shows. We are not like that at all." I find this to be rather questionable, as the only legitimate piece of evidence I could find to support this was a Christian Science Monitor article from 2004 and even then, it only seems to cover film critics and those involved with the film and not an average viewer like Umi. The reason why I bring this up is because critics and audiences don't always see eye to eye. Heck, even critics don't always see eye to eye with each other. Just look at this Siskel and Ebert review of Benji the Hunted. Also, according to Lost in Translation's page on Kinenote (the Japanese equivalent of IMDB), the vast majority (including average viewers) seem to like it just fine, with one user named sankou even saying, "It is not an exaggerated Japan for foreigners, but a realistic picture of everyday scenes that you often see." Also, as someone who's seen the film at least several times (including one very recent viewing), the only two characters I can think of that even remotely fit Umi's description are the talk show host and the prostitute hired by Mr. Kazo for Bob and even then they're only in one scene each and even then, the scenes are only one or three minutes long. Also, in regards to the talk show host, his show in the movie (Matthew's Best Hit TV) is an actual TV show that was hosted by Takashi Fujii, who plays an energetic character called Matthew Minami in the film and the actual show and if you watch clips of the show, like this one, what you see in the film is pretty much on brand.
Overall, Chase of The Rising Sun is a book that I have massive respect for despite my issues with it, not just in the risks it takes, but in how it goes the whole nine yards to deliver great characters and a great story.
Overall Grade: A-
(Immersive, fascinating and with an ending that will quite simply… blow your socks off!
Who ever really knows themselves? And if you don’t know yourself, can you ever be truly happy? Mark Rasper is a thirty-year old man who has always had a fascination with Japan. It started when he played Metal Gear Solid with school buddy Paul, becoming thoroughly captivated not only by everything Japanese, but by the character Solid Snake. When a transfer opportunity turns up at the company he works for, he doesn’t hesitate, and before he has time to change his mind he is on a plane to Tokyo. Mark is no tourist; he is there to be absorbed into this kaleidoscope of colors, with its rich heritage and honorable lifestyle. He soon learns that karoshi means overworked to death, and that being able to sing makes him a karaoke star! But what will he learn about himself? Is he embracing a new life, or simply running away? What will it take for him to stop and really look deep?
Chase of the Rising Sun is an invitation to take a peek into the wonderful, colorful world that is Japan. Soak up traditions, and experience real life in Tokyo – a world apart from ‘Lost in Translation.’ Absorb the atmosphere; get to know the people, and witness first-hand one of the most devastating events in Japanese history.
Drench yourself in Japanese culture, and to read a story with an unexpected and extremely powerful ending!) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I really liked Mark as a character. Even though this is a work of fiction, his narration style and dialogue made him sound like he was a real person dictating his memoir about making it in a foreign country. The main thing that got me to root for him though was his enthusiasm and determination for making this huge life change despite his fears and anxieties. I also admired how much he really grew as a person, not just in his Japanese language skills, but in a few other areas as well.
Aside from having the Japanese characters point even though it's considered rude to do so in Japan and Mark saying he watched a lot of manga in chapter fourteen and Umi saying to him "Manga is on every day" even though manga is something one reads and not watches (seriously, this really isn't a mistake people like them should be making), it really feels like the author did their homework and really put in the effort to make his portrayal of Japan as accurate as possible. Not only that, but even though there was a lot of information packed in, there was just enough to give the reader an understanding as to what's going on or why something is happening in a specific way, but not too much to where it slowed the pacing.
Mark and Umi's first adventure in Tokyo together was a blast. In addition to being really cute and fun, it really gave a ton of insight into Umi as a character without giving everything away. She has a habit of playfully disappearing and reappearing, has a good sense of humor, is caring, and seems to know all the best kept secrets of Tokyo. After this, she honestly became one of my favorite characters, which is really impressive considering that before this, the only real character trait she had was a vaguley defined tragic backstory.
For that matter, I also enjoyed the romance between Mark and Umi. It really kept the energy and momentum from that first adventure going without resorting to doing the same thing over and over again. I really wasn't as frustrated with the outcome as I thought I would be, as the story actually commits to it and doesn't do the whole thing like quite a few other romances. What also made it a lot less frustrating than I expected was that
The sumo match in chapter twenty-nine was awesome. It's just one match, but there's so much suspense and energy packed into it. The aftermath where the crowd is celebrating and throwing the mats into the ring and the excitement from Mark, Hato-san, and Hato-san's daughter really add to its greatness as well.
From to , the story gets so absolutely unapologetically bonkers, I can't help but enjoy it. But what really makes it interesting is that, later on, the story basically confirms that it actually happened. Not only that, but prior to these chapters, the story was a grounded, slice of life story about a guy making his way in a foreign country, making extremely drastic.
There are some parts of this story that clearly needed some editing. So in chapter one, it's revealed that Mark loves Metal Gear Solid and that it's one of the major reasons why he got into Japanese culture. However, the book takes practically the entire chapter to establish this one piece of information. Now I would be more forgiving if one of Mark's character traits was being a rambler or something, but that's really not the case. This chapter could've honestly been trimmed and nothing important would've been lost. The book also reveals that Mark and his friend Paul have gone to Japan years prior to the events of the story. Yet, Mark seems to have forgotten almost the entire Japanese language, bits and pieces of the culture, and so on, making me question why this detail is even here. If all traces of it were removed, the story would still play out the same.
There's this really weird error in chapter five. It's a piece of dialogue that, for some reason, is formatted like this: “I am very sorry for the mix-up. It was
very embarrassing and a dishonor to you and your travels. I had an important meeting this morning and did not get the message right away. Please accept my apologies.” Hato bows again. “I assure you this is not how we do business in Japan, and it will not happen again.” This isn't a device issue. It was present on both my phone and laptop. I've encountered another kind of weird line formatting when reading Opal Song and since my review of that book, I've learned from the author herself that the error was the fault of their tech person who put the raw file together. I think that's probably what's going on with this part as well, but I couldn't find any real evidence to confirm that.
In chapter twenty-five, Umi says this about Lost in Translation, "Japanese people don't really like that movie. It does not portray us in a good way. We are not that weird, and we are not as impolite or unsophisticated as it shows. We are not like that at all." I find this to be rather questionable, as the only legitimate piece of evidence I could find to support this was a Christian Science Monitor article from 2004 and even then, it only seems to cover film critics and those involved with the film and not an average viewer like Umi. The reason why I bring this up is because critics and audiences don't always see eye to eye. Heck, even critics don't always see eye to eye with each other. Just look at this Siskel and Ebert review of Benji the Hunted. Also, according to Lost in Translation's page on Kinenote (the Japanese equivalent of IMDB), the vast majority (including average viewers) seem to like it just fine, with one user named sankou even saying, "It is not an exaggerated Japan for foreigners, but a realistic picture of everyday scenes that you often see." Also, as someone who's seen the film at least several times (including one very recent viewing), the only two characters I can think of that even remotely fit Umi's description are the talk show host and the prostitute hired by Mr. Kazo for Bob and even then they're only in one scene each and even then, the scenes are only one or three minutes long. Also, in regards to the talk show host, his show in the movie (Matthew's Best Hit TV) is an actual TV show that was hosted by Takashi Fujii, who plays an energetic character called Matthew Minami in the film and the actual show and if you watch clips of the show, like this one, what you see in the film is pretty much on brand.
Overall, Chase of The Rising Sun is a book that I have massive respect for despite my issues with it, not just in the risks it takes, but in how it goes the whole nine yards to deliver great characters and a great story.
Overall Grade: A-
January 31, 2022
Chase of the Rising Sun by Colin Rink
At first, I feared Chase of the Rising Sun would be as entertaining as a travelogue. To my delight, that turned out to be far from the case. Chasing the Rising Sun opens with the protagonist, Mark, flying to Japan, a country he was fascinated by from his early teens from playing video games. Now, an adult, he is leaving all behind to immerse himself in this world of foreignness with which he is enamored. As we absorb the details of the flight and the history that brought him to it, this reader finds himself remembering some of his own adventures in foreign lands, laden with a subtle but ever-present excitement, and attuned to the creative desire inherent in new beginnings, the need to destroy to build something fresh, in Mark’s words to “set it all on fire.” How? By breaking free of the known and jumping into the unknown. Mark’s motive: the realization that he didn’t love nor maybe even like his snobbish rich girlfriend and if he simply went on with the comfortable life being laid out before him by her family, he could very well end up having no real life at all.
As Mark arrives in Japan and attempts to navigate the Tokyo subway system, my own memories of being at a loss and disoriented in a foreign country, temporarily overwhelmed with the basic task of trying to find my way, were rekindled. And Mark, like my own experience, found a way to calm himself and continue moving forward, learning to let go of control, recognizing that he was at the mercy of whatever arose in front of him. Then, he emerges into flashing neon glittering streets of Tokyo, super-charged by the energy of the teeming crowds of people moving about like ants in a disturbed anthill, hurrying in every imaginable direction. The aliveness of the experience, the immediacy of the moment, is contagious.
We then follow Mark as he pursues romantic adventures, some that had to be hidden from work, and confronts the intricacies and challenges of dating in Japan, and eventually of racism directed toward him. All the while, he deals with the tensions and challenges of work life, social life, and his appreciation of the incredible architecture, art and culinary adventures that permeate Japan. I, for one, was not aware of the extensive use of vending machines for obtaining foods and beverages of all kinds.
In his work life, Mark is confronted with the real possibility that he might not be able to meet the challenge. The leading boss is incredibly demanding and appears always dissatisfied with his work. In addition, Mark must learn Japanese on the fly, get accustomed to working 12-to-16-hour days, and, at times, to party hearty with his Japanese bosses and cohorts to become established as part of the team, returning to work the next morning with a pounding hangover to confront another 16-hour day. He also has his intermittent bouts of loneliness and missing family and friends.
Near the end, Chase of the Rising Sun takes a surprising and harrowing turn, which by itself makes this book worth reading. I will not give it away.
In conclusion, Chase of the Rising Sun was far from a travelogue, keeping this readers attention through its nice pacing, descriptive merits, and human challenges and conflicts. Indeed, it was a memorable read and I recommend it.
At first, I feared Chase of the Rising Sun would be as entertaining as a travelogue. To my delight, that turned out to be far from the case. Chasing the Rising Sun opens with the protagonist, Mark, flying to Japan, a country he was fascinated by from his early teens from playing video games. Now, an adult, he is leaving all behind to immerse himself in this world of foreignness with which he is enamored. As we absorb the details of the flight and the history that brought him to it, this reader finds himself remembering some of his own adventures in foreign lands, laden with a subtle but ever-present excitement, and attuned to the creative desire inherent in new beginnings, the need to destroy to build something fresh, in Mark’s words to “set it all on fire.” How? By breaking free of the known and jumping into the unknown. Mark’s motive: the realization that he didn’t love nor maybe even like his snobbish rich girlfriend and if he simply went on with the comfortable life being laid out before him by her family, he could very well end up having no real life at all.
As Mark arrives in Japan and attempts to navigate the Tokyo subway system, my own memories of being at a loss and disoriented in a foreign country, temporarily overwhelmed with the basic task of trying to find my way, were rekindled. And Mark, like my own experience, found a way to calm himself and continue moving forward, learning to let go of control, recognizing that he was at the mercy of whatever arose in front of him. Then, he emerges into flashing neon glittering streets of Tokyo, super-charged by the energy of the teeming crowds of people moving about like ants in a disturbed anthill, hurrying in every imaginable direction. The aliveness of the experience, the immediacy of the moment, is contagious.
We then follow Mark as he pursues romantic adventures, some that had to be hidden from work, and confronts the intricacies and challenges of dating in Japan, and eventually of racism directed toward him. All the while, he deals with the tensions and challenges of work life, social life, and his appreciation of the incredible architecture, art and culinary adventures that permeate Japan. I, for one, was not aware of the extensive use of vending machines for obtaining foods and beverages of all kinds.
In his work life, Mark is confronted with the real possibility that he might not be able to meet the challenge. The leading boss is incredibly demanding and appears always dissatisfied with his work. In addition, Mark must learn Japanese on the fly, get accustomed to working 12-to-16-hour days, and, at times, to party hearty with his Japanese bosses and cohorts to become established as part of the team, returning to work the next morning with a pounding hangover to confront another 16-hour day. He also has his intermittent bouts of loneliness and missing family and friends.
Near the end, Chase of the Rising Sun takes a surprising and harrowing turn, which by itself makes this book worth reading. I will not give it away.
In conclusion, Chase of the Rising Sun was far from a travelogue, keeping this readers attention through its nice pacing, descriptive merits, and human challenges and conflicts. Indeed, it was a memorable read and I recommend it.
January 30, 2022
Chase of the Rising Sun by Colin Rink
At first, I feared Chase of the Rising Sun would be as entertaining as a travelogue. To my delight, that turned out to be far from the case. Chasing the Rising Sun opens with the protagonist, Mark, flying to Japan, a country he was fascinated by from his early teens from playing video games. Now, an adult, he is leaving all behind to immerse himself in this world of foreignness with which he is enamored. As we absorb the details of the flight and the history that brought him to it, this reader finds himself remembering some of his own adventures in foreign lands, laden with a subtle but ever-present excitement, and attuned to the creative desire inherent in new beginnings, the need to destroy to build something fresh, in Mark’s words to “set it all on fire.” How, by breaking free of the known and jumping into the unknown. Mark’s motive: the realization that he didn’t love nor maybe even like his snobbish rich girlfriend and if he simply went on with the comfortable life being laid out before him by her family, he could very well end up having no real life at all.
As Mark arrives in Japan and attempts to navigate the Tokyo subway system, my own memories of being at a loss and disoriented in a foreign country, temporarily overwhelmed with the basic task of trying to find my way, were rekindled. And Mark, like my own experience, found a way to calm himself and continue moving forward, learning to let go of control, recognizing that he was the mercy whatever arose in front of him. Then he emerges into flashing neon glittering streets of Tokyo, super-charged by the energy of the teeming crowds of people moving about like ants in a disturbed anthill, hurrying in every imaginable direction. The aliveness of the experience, the immediacy of the moment, is contagious.
We then follow Mark as he pursues romantic adventures, some that had to be hidden from work, and confronts the intricacies and challenges of dating in Japan, and eventually of racism directed toward him. All the while, he deals with the tensions and challenges of work life, social life, and his appreciation of the incredible architecture, art and culinary adventures that permeate Japan. I, for one, was not aware of the extensive use of vending machines for obtaining foods and beverages of all kinds. In his work life, Mark is confronted with the real possibility that he might not be able to meet the challenge. The leading boss is incredibly demanding and appears always dissatisfied with his work. In addition, Mark must learn Japanese on the fly, get accustomed to working 12-to-16-hour days, and, at times, to party hearty with his Japanese bosses and cohorts to become established as part of the team, returning to work the next morning with a pounding hangover to confront another 16 hour day. He also has his intermittent bouts of loneliness and missing family and friends.
Near the end, Chase of the Rising Sun takes a surprising and harrowing turn, which by itself makes this book worth reading. I will not give it away.
In conclusion, Chase of the Rising Sun was far from a travelogue, keeping this readers attention through its nice pacing, descriptive merits, and human challenges and conflicts. Indeed, it was a memorable read and I recommend it.
At first, I feared Chase of the Rising Sun would be as entertaining as a travelogue. To my delight, that turned out to be far from the case. Chasing the Rising Sun opens with the protagonist, Mark, flying to Japan, a country he was fascinated by from his early teens from playing video games. Now, an adult, he is leaving all behind to immerse himself in this world of foreignness with which he is enamored. As we absorb the details of the flight and the history that brought him to it, this reader finds himself remembering some of his own adventures in foreign lands, laden with a subtle but ever-present excitement, and attuned to the creative desire inherent in new beginnings, the need to destroy to build something fresh, in Mark’s words to “set it all on fire.” How, by breaking free of the known and jumping into the unknown. Mark’s motive: the realization that he didn’t love nor maybe even like his snobbish rich girlfriend and if he simply went on with the comfortable life being laid out before him by her family, he could very well end up having no real life at all.
As Mark arrives in Japan and attempts to navigate the Tokyo subway system, my own memories of being at a loss and disoriented in a foreign country, temporarily overwhelmed with the basic task of trying to find my way, were rekindled. And Mark, like my own experience, found a way to calm himself and continue moving forward, learning to let go of control, recognizing that he was the mercy whatever arose in front of him. Then he emerges into flashing neon glittering streets of Tokyo, super-charged by the energy of the teeming crowds of people moving about like ants in a disturbed anthill, hurrying in every imaginable direction. The aliveness of the experience, the immediacy of the moment, is contagious.
We then follow Mark as he pursues romantic adventures, some that had to be hidden from work, and confronts the intricacies and challenges of dating in Japan, and eventually of racism directed toward him. All the while, he deals with the tensions and challenges of work life, social life, and his appreciation of the incredible architecture, art and culinary adventures that permeate Japan. I, for one, was not aware of the extensive use of vending machines for obtaining foods and beverages of all kinds. In his work life, Mark is confronted with the real possibility that he might not be able to meet the challenge. The leading boss is incredibly demanding and appears always dissatisfied with his work. In addition, Mark must learn Japanese on the fly, get accustomed to working 12-to-16-hour days, and, at times, to party hearty with his Japanese bosses and cohorts to become established as part of the team, returning to work the next morning with a pounding hangover to confront another 16 hour day. He also has his intermittent bouts of loneliness and missing family and friends.
Near the end, Chase of the Rising Sun takes a surprising and harrowing turn, which by itself makes this book worth reading. I will not give it away.
In conclusion, Chase of the Rising Sun was far from a travelogue, keeping this readers attention through its nice pacing, descriptive merits, and human challenges and conflicts. Indeed, it was a memorable read and I recommend it.
October 27, 2021
“In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost.” The opening sentence of The Inferno could also be the start of this book. Chase of the Rising Sun is a well-written account of one man’s experience when he realizes his way of life is unsatisfying and deadening and takes the courageous step of departing to fulfill a dream. He leaves Canada and gets a one-way ticket to Japan where he starts a new job in a new city and has to adjust to a completely new way of life. I was with Mark every step of the way and though I’ve never been to Tokyo the descriptions of the city and the people there felt completely real. The writing is so good even a reader as critical as myself hardly noticed it, which is quite an accomplishment. I will just mention two slight quibbles: the description of the sumo wrestling went on a little too long, for this reader at least, and the phrase ‘in awe’ felt a little overused. But those are nothing.
The book has a professionally produced feel. There were a few instances of misused words and who/whom issues, but well within professional parameters. As I said before, I was drawn into the novel. The character’s development as he slowly became assimilated to the Japanese way of life was crafted quite skillfully. When he first arrives he is delighted by Tokyo but hurt by the way the Japanese regard him as an uncouth outsider. The reader watches as step-by-step he internalizes the Japanese outlook: the way he reacts to being called a ‘gaijin’ and then takes pride in being acknowledged, his reaction to Kristen, and then his annoyance with his friend Colin (the author?) who visits from Canada and is just like Mark when he first arrived. Also, his adjustment to the brutal Japanese work ethic is described in such a way the reader can empathize all the way. Then, just when one has an idea where the book is going there is a devastating climax.
All in all, this book was very well done and made for an exhilarating reading experience.
The book has a professionally produced feel. There were a few instances of misused words and who/whom issues, but well within professional parameters. As I said before, I was drawn into the novel. The character’s development as he slowly became assimilated to the Japanese way of life was crafted quite skillfully. When he first arrives he is delighted by Tokyo but hurt by the way the Japanese regard him as an uncouth outsider. The reader watches as step-by-step he internalizes the Japanese outlook: the way he reacts to being called a ‘gaijin’ and then takes pride in being acknowledged, his reaction to Kristen, and then his annoyance with his friend Colin (the author?) who visits from Canada and is just like Mark when he first arrived. Also, his adjustment to the brutal Japanese work ethic is described in such a way the reader can empathize all the way. Then, just when one has an idea where the book is going there is a devastating climax.
All in all, this book was very well done and made for an exhilarating reading experience.
August 8, 2022
Chase of the Rising Sun is a fictionalised “memoir” of the lead character’s experiences when he decides to relocate to Tokyo. I think it would be an interesting read for millennials who have defined their reality and frame of reference from influences such as computer games, and habitually conduct their social contact virtually.
Mark Rasper has grown up loving Japanese computer games and culture. Hitting thirty, he junks his old life in Canada and relocates to Tokyo. Chase of the Rising Sun interweaves Mark’s culture shock with his fascination for the fast-paced yet traditional, high-tech but hierarchical world he has moved to. It’s a detailed account of the character’s experiences, awkwardness and developing strain in trying to adapt and make human connections. But no matter how Mark strives to adjust to this alien lifestyle, nothing can prepare him for the shocking events waiting round the corner.
Colin Rink has written a detailed and interesting account. The character of Mark at times comes across as a man child adrift, there are numerous incidents and comments which show him as entitled and emotionally shallow. On his 30th birthday he decides to change his life because of a game, he dumps his girlfriend, then gets annoyed because she removes his picture from her Facebook account (later in the book, he refers to intimacy with his love interest in Japan being "ten times better than anything he'd had" with his ex." Nice guy.) and I’m not sure whether how much of this is intentional on Colin Rink's part, and how much is what behaviour analysts call "leakage". I would like to have seen more of a character arc, with the character developing more emotional maturity during the denouement, rather than falling into a computer-game fan-fic account which is then passed off as a delusion. At the end of the book, Mark is wiser, doubtless, and more experienced, but still essentially self-preoccupied.
Mark Rasper has grown up loving Japanese computer games and culture. Hitting thirty, he junks his old life in Canada and relocates to Tokyo. Chase of the Rising Sun interweaves Mark’s culture shock with his fascination for the fast-paced yet traditional, high-tech but hierarchical world he has moved to. It’s a detailed account of the character’s experiences, awkwardness and developing strain in trying to adapt and make human connections. But no matter how Mark strives to adjust to this alien lifestyle, nothing can prepare him for the shocking events waiting round the corner.
Colin Rink has written a detailed and interesting account. The character of Mark at times comes across as a man child adrift, there are numerous incidents and comments which show him as entitled and emotionally shallow. On his 30th birthday he decides to change his life because of a game, he dumps his girlfriend, then gets annoyed because she removes his picture from her Facebook account (later in the book, he refers to intimacy with his love interest in Japan being "ten times better than anything he'd had" with his ex." Nice guy.) and I’m not sure whether how much of this is intentional on Colin Rink's part, and how much is what behaviour analysts call "leakage". I would like to have seen more of a character arc, with the character developing more emotional maturity during the denouement, rather than falling into a computer-game fan-fic account which is then passed off as a delusion. At the end of the book, Mark is wiser, doubtless, and more experienced, but still essentially self-preoccupied.
September 29, 2021
I totally felt like I was a part of life in Tokyo while I was reading this book, which is impressive–I have a rather long list of places to visit some day in my life, but visiting Japan has never been very high on the list.
Fairly positive Colin Rink did an fabulous job of capturing the culture and descriptions of the country that so many of us don't know enough about. He gave it a spiritual, futuristic charm, I think.
There's lots of normalcy in the narrator's daily life that flows through most of the book-his daily work, lots of drinking, struggles with friendships and relationships. He lives a very typical life in a very foreign and different place, there's that charm.
There were times throughout the narration that I thought, "This sounds like it all really happened. Wonder if the author is telling his story..."
Well.
Clever.
The shocking and devastating events during the last bit of the book are unexpected and I'm now certain confirm that the author was in fact telling a story based on true events.
I was not expecting such a story when I first started reading it.
Well done.
Fairly positive Colin Rink did an fabulous job of capturing the culture and descriptions of the country that so many of us don't know enough about. He gave it a spiritual, futuristic charm, I think.
There's lots of normalcy in the narrator's daily life that flows through most of the book-his daily work, lots of drinking, struggles with friendships and relationships. He lives a very typical life in a very foreign and different place, there's that charm.
There were times throughout the narration that I thought, "This sounds like it all really happened. Wonder if the author is telling his story..."
Well.
Clever.
The shocking and devastating events during the last bit of the book are unexpected and I'm now certain confirm that the author was in fact telling a story based on true events.
I was not expecting such a story when I first started reading it.
Well done.
September 26, 2021
To say that this novel is an immersion into a foreign culture would be a misunderstanding. It is a minutiae immersion at an almost atomic level, resembling a Persian miniature, even when we talk about Japan. The novel is all about details; nothing seems to be unimportant. So, you love them, or you love them not; there is not much ground in-between.
At his 30th anniversary, Mark has a sort of a cosmic revelation and takes the decision to leave his country, his family and his girlfriend, and run to Japan. His escape is told through a chain of personal events and reflections, all mixed with a parallel life of past gaming experiences. It feels authentic and enjoyable. And exciting. Going from Vancouver to Tokyo was like going from a village into a city. There is also the obvious clash of cultures, the best aspect of the novel.
In some ways, Chase of the Rising Sun resembles Kerouac’s On the Road (there is even a mention of that famous book).
At his 30th anniversary, Mark has a sort of a cosmic revelation and takes the decision to leave his country, his family and his girlfriend, and run to Japan. His escape is told through a chain of personal events and reflections, all mixed with a parallel life of past gaming experiences. It feels authentic and enjoyable. And exciting. Going from Vancouver to Tokyo was like going from a village into a city. There is also the obvious clash of cultures, the best aspect of the novel.
In some ways, Chase of the Rising Sun resembles Kerouac’s On the Road (there is even a mention of that famous book).
March 6, 2022
Mark Rasper has a good life. A stable job, a nice apartment and a beautiful girlfriend. But on the day of his birthday he decides to throw caution to the wind and sells off everything he owns, abandoning his life in Canada, and buy a one-way ticket from Vancouver to Tokyo.
But the new life isn’t easy, cultural confusing and sometimes wonderful differences are interestingly described, showing Japan and particularly Tokyo well enough.
Mark loves for video games and manga is very present throughout the book and fantasy characters and aspects intertwined with his everyday life.
The last third of the book is unexpected. Shocking.
A very entertaining book, which will make you want to go discover Japan and the amazing culture. A compelled story, well written. I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author.
Only 4 stars because each chapter has a title in English and Japanese, and the Japanese is sometimes wrong.
But the new life isn’t easy, cultural confusing and sometimes wonderful differences are interestingly described, showing Japan and particularly Tokyo well enough.
Mark loves for video games and manga is very present throughout the book and fantasy characters and aspects intertwined with his everyday life.
The last third of the book is unexpected. Shocking.
A very entertaining book, which will make you want to go discover Japan and the amazing culture. A compelled story, well written. I’m looking forward to reading more books from this author.
Only 4 stars because each chapter has a title in English and Japanese, and the Japanese is sometimes wrong.
August 29, 2022
A fictional memoir of moving across the world to a different culture
Canadian Mark dumps his girl and leaves all he knows to live and work in Tokyo. We follow him in immense detail from the preparations to leave, to travel and the start of his new job. This detail weighs down the narrative to a frustratingly slow pace as the more interesting details of the sights, smells, and culture don't shine as much as they could.
The book picks up speed in the last third as our hero describes surviving the huge earthquake that rocked Japan in 2011. The twist of how his mind coped with the horrors and injury was well written.
Unfortunately, the few women in the book were depicted only in how they looked (good or bad in the eyes of our protagonist).
Definitely worth a read if you are interested in Japan/Tokyo and its cultures/traditions.
Canadian Mark dumps his girl and leaves all he knows to live and work in Tokyo. We follow him in immense detail from the preparations to leave, to travel and the start of his new job. This detail weighs down the narrative to a frustratingly slow pace as the more interesting details of the sights, smells, and culture don't shine as much as they could.
The book picks up speed in the last third as our hero describes surviving the huge earthquake that rocked Japan in 2011. The twist of how his mind coped with the horrors and injury was well written.
Unfortunately, the few women in the book were depicted only in how they looked (good or bad in the eyes of our protagonist).
Definitely worth a read if you are interested in Japan/Tokyo and its cultures/traditions.
October 11, 2022
An unsettled 30 year old, Mark, from Vancouver, takes a leap of faith and moves to Japan with a location transfer at work. The story opens up with our host on the plane and there are flashbacks on his life before he lands in Tokyo, finds his hotel and commences his new job and new life.
What shenanigans will lie in store for Mark in his new adventures? What new people will he meet
and how will they influence his life? What shocks and scares lie in wait?
Although this book is not meant to be a travel guide for Japan, it certainly felt like one with added amusement and suspense. It will make you feel like dropping everything and jetting off on a new adventure and if you are unable to, you should read this and imagine that you are Mark in Japan.
It's so well written that it's easy to place yourself at the scenes.
What shenanigans will lie in store for Mark in his new adventures? What new people will he meet
and how will they influence his life? What shocks and scares lie in wait?
Although this book is not meant to be a travel guide for Japan, it certainly felt like one with added amusement and suspense. It will make you feel like dropping everything and jetting off on a new adventure and if you are unable to, you should read this and imagine that you are Mark in Japan.
It's so well written that it's easy to place yourself at the scenes.
July 30, 2021
A great read. I felt like I was in Japan with Mark on his trip of risk and reward.
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