The feelings of being lost, abandoned and seeking out answers really resonated with me.

I highly recommend Mongrel if you’ve not read it. You’ll not be disappointed.

Tags: #japaneseliterature #japaneselit #文学 #日本文学 #ハーフ #hanakofootman #hanakofootmanmongrel

Without spoiling anything, I can honestly say that Mongrel has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I can relate but only in an indirect sense, taking race out of the picture but replacing it with sexuality and gender identity.

Through cycles of self-sabotage and self-abusive behaviour, these characters work through complex emotions, sometimes ending up in difficult and dangerous situations. To which they come out and learn why these feelings and events seemed to have been drawn to them.

Each story shows us what it’s like not to fit in, not to meet the expectations that society deems we must adhere to, the power that men have over the lives of women, and the suffering they must endure.

I highly recommend reading “Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun” if you’re interested in the personal exploits of a young, naive English lad trying to find his way in the world. To then watch him emerge as a skilled and talented filmmaker in the beautiful country of Japan.

As a former teacher I can relate to some of his experiences from being asked awkward questions from your learners, to having interesting exchanges with your colleagues. It took me back to a time where I felt like I was making a difference. Very nostalgic!

I believe his anxiety often gets covered up with his sarcasm and “grumpy British” persona, whereas in fact, he’s a lot more than that, in the book he comes across as humble and very human.

It was also nice to see Chris talk casually about some of the uncomfortable experiences regarding his anxiety, which I feel he steers away from in his videos and on the Abroad in Japan podcast.

It felt like I was sat with him as he regaled stories of his time in Japan, some funny, some embarrassing, some touching and some deeply emotional.

Overall it was a wonderful read and listen, I read along with the audiobook as an accompaniment (which helps a lot with my dyslexia) and Chris’s voice was a great addition to the experience.

We are going to see the Distant Worlds concert on Saturday so I am hoping to get a podcast recorded sometime next week!