Mrs. Moneypenny: E-mail from Tokyo

by Mrs. Moneypenny, Heather McGregor

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one thing I could wish for (after world peace and end to poverty, you know the drill) is to go in a time machine to Japan in the 90s or earlier, to see how it was before it was super westernised.

I've read Mrs Moneypenny's careers advice book and knew she's a fairly grumpy posh person who would be an arse to her PA, and this book - a collection of her FT column from the late 90s early 00s - highlights this even more. It doesn't detract from the enjoyment of reading the book though. Reading snippets of her high living in Japan, not understanding the culture and the scenes of her exploring Japanese working life were quite fun.

I tweeted to her, as the copy I laid my hands on has a handwritten note in it from her to someone who "made her a household name" and she even sent me a grumpy reply. So on-brand.

[Vicki Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing Tokyo from the perspective of a newcomer who doesn't speak Japanese, as well as from someone working in the financial services sector. Although these notes were written over 10 years ago, they're still accurate in many respects. Altogether a refreshing view.