Heather’s Bookshelf: Chizawa Bay: As Ugly As I Am
Author: Shawn Mahler
Released: 10/20/2020
Genre: Literary Fiction
“Just about the worst thing in the world is never knowing what you’re worth…never knowing what you really need. If you can find just one person that can show you that, you hold on to her. I lost mine and I’ve been looking for him again ever since. You wouldn’t believe how hard I’ve looked…”
“Chizawa Bay” introduces several of the residents of a small fishing village in central Japan. A majority of the story is centered around Sensei, his relationships, and his past as he tries to maneuver through a chaotic and crazy combination of events and circumstances.
The majority of the story is told through little snippets of the lives of those living in the fishing village. Each story is seemingly independent of the others with different voices and points of view, but soon it becomes apparent that each of these lives are intertwined with the others. Sensei’s interactions with his community are heartfelt, intriguing, and sometimes really amusing. He’s a flawed character and has made some choices that had terrible consequences, but he’s also very likeable.
There are a lot of characters introduced in this book and somehow the author manages to give each character a voice and point of view of their own. I really enjoyed the interactions between characters and how each revealed a little about themselves but also a bit about others at the same time. However, I wish that more time would have been spent on some of the more understated, although enjoyable storylines.
Trigger Warning: Adult language, suicide, sexual situations, violence, and alcohol use
Overall, I found the book to be well-written, character-driven, and expertly pieced together. I personally really enjoyed the literary trip to Japan and the insight provided by the author into the land and the people. The author’s understanding and appreciation of the differences between perception and reality within the culture was clear throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the different voices, trials, and challenges faced by the many characters presented. I especially enjoyed the forbidden love story which was both lovely and tragic, although a very small part of the story. My husband and I were lucky enough to travel to Japan in 2019 and the descriptions within this novel are dead on! I loved the references to the cicada, the Chozuya, and many of the food/drink elements. Unfortunately, I did not think that the ending lived up to the interest or engagement that had been developed through the rest of the story. It seemed abrupt and unfinished and I found myself wanting something that tied all the great characters together. The story overall was still so enjoyable that I would love to read more from the author in the future.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
An insightful trip into the daily lives of those residing in a small fishing village in Japan- the good, the bad, and the hidden. Unfortunately, an abrupt ending halted the interest built throughout the rest of the book.
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