Did not finish

Not my usual sort of novel, but I always really enjoy Cruz Smith's writing... the Arkady Renko books hooked me, I have to admit!
December 6 (published as Tokyo Station in the UK) is a historical novel focusing on a wheeler-dealer type, Harry Niles, in Tokyo in the days leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of war between Japan and the US. Harry is the son of American missionaries, but, neglected by them as a child, he has always, culturally, felt more Japanese. But in a Japan that is increasingly more hostile toward gaijin, he is torn between the two - with both a Japanese mistress and a British one, conflicting political loyalties... and as well, a conflict between his risk-running, gambling nature, and the desire to save his own skin...
There's some spy action, samurai violence, betrayals and loyalty, plenty of drama - excellent characterization, but the setting really made the book, with its vivid depiction of an unusual, transitory and fragile time in Japan...

( )

Fantastic fictional book which I happened upon and momentarily glanced through before I brought it home. Set in Pre-Pearl Harbor attack Tokyo this is a suspense filled historical novel. Not for children, this book was a great reward for putting down my last book. Great descriptions of Japan (I've never been yet) but Smith has a nice balance between the characters while integrating the West Coast of California into the story. It has a Casablanca-esque story line but his calm mastery of language puts the reader at ease and makes this a page turner. I slowed down near the end as I didn't want to finish the last of the twenty-five chapters. If you're not a reader, don't bother. If you are, this might be interesting if you have curiosity about Japan seen from a Westerners point of view. Worth reading twice for the drawn out descriptions which make it easy to suspend disbelief that this could have actually happened. ( )

Cruz Smith is one of my all time favorite authors. December 6th was much different than any of his others - but just as enjoyable. Harry - a con man par excellence grows up in Tokyo and thrives there as an adult ... until caught there at the outbreak of WWII. A fascinating look at pre-war Japan leading up to Pearl Harbor. A little tricky to follow because of the flashbacks ... but well worth the trouble. ( )

Another mega disappointing reading group book. I though as a thriller, it should be OK. But I was so wrong. I found it boring and over written. I struggled to page 150 and then skim read to the end. I just didn't care at all. Sorry Mr Smith, you go into the never again pile. ( )