I’m not sure I’m allowed to like this book, especially because it’s from the point of view of a Japanese woman but written by a white man. I did enjoy reading it and found the characters to be interesting and well developed. However, I will say that the story contained elements of orientalism; it was obviously written for a white, Western audience especially in the way it glorified the US and reduced Japan to associations with nature. Generally, I am conflicted because while I did enjoy this story and the writing style, despite many cliches, I don’t know if the orientalism should bar me from enjoying it.