Sophia C. reviewed on 1/9/2011 + 289 more book reviews

Japanland: a year in search of wa did not live up to its title and should be regarded only as a travelogue kept by an American documentary filmmaker. The author Karin Muller was in her mid-thirties when wanderlust returned into her life, along with a desire to seek some wa or inner harmony she observed in her Japanese judo instructors for herself. Reaching the conclusion that one needed to become Japanese in this quest, she decides to live in Japan for one year. However, I would argue that she takes up this task half-heartedly, as witnessed by her reactions to her deteriorating relationship with her initial host family, especially its matriarch Yukiko. Instead, this book is a hodge-podge of her day-to-day life and attempts to shoot footage about various aspects of Japanese life and culture. As implied by the choice of titlewith its similarity to Disneyland, Graceland, and LegolandMuller portrays Japan as a distant, somewhat mysterious and caricaturized place, albeit one filled with kind people.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details