Midori by Moonlight
by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
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Reviewed by Maria Hoeffer
Chick lit has traditionally (if you can say that about a genre less than 20 years old!) portrayed a white woman living in New York/London fumbling through her love life while working in the publishing/fashion industry. Wendy Tokunaga’s novel, Midori by Moonlight bursts forth as a leader and shining example of an emerging subgenre, multicultural chick lit. A modern tale with a hint of green tea and wasabi, this novel carries readers on a fast-paced journey they won’t want to end.
Midori is a Japanese woman brought to the United States by her American fiancé who promptly dumps her for an old flame less than a week after her arrival. What Midori lacks in English language skill, she more than makes up in gumption and a quirkiness that draws people to her. Having never felt as if she really fit into traditional Japanese culture, she sets out to make a life for herself in the US while the clock ticks away on her fiancée visa.
What makes this novel really stand out is the attention to detail that enlivens the characters and brings to light idiosyncrasies of both American and Japanese cultures. Readers familiar with contemporary Japan will smile at references such as the “Engrish” business name “Let’s English” and describing unmarried Japanese women as Christmas cakes. Even Midori’s fascination with beautiful baked sweets highlights a subtle Japanese trait. Midori maintains many Japanese characteristics, photographing and documenting desserts in a journal for example, while expressing parts of herself that feel much more American – her independent spirit and willingness to do whatever it takes to earn a living. Side characters such as Damian and Tracy portray the many American fascinations with and distortions of Japanese culture. While glimpses are seen through the character Akina, additional description of modern Japanese women living in Japan would have created a stronger foil for Midori’s independent spirit, further revealing how she truly is caught between two cultures.
More than just a story about Japanese and American cultures, Midori by Moonlight is a story of expressing your true self to find your own path in the world. Tokunaga creates an endearing character in Midori that readers will root for, laugh with and love to befriend over cup of green tea and a decadent slice of cake.
Armchair Interviews says: Interesting characters make this book special.