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★ It's an interesting book which drew me in immediately, striking a chord within this long-time curious observer of both Japan's pop culture and traditional heritage.


Despite (or perhaps because of) Peter Carey being a 2-time Booker prize recipient, Wrong About Japan is an entertaining read (big fonts, thin book this is going to make so many people happy ) which will not twist your mind around like a ball of yarn and then spit it out all rolled up.


Thus, it's definitely a must read for anyone with a remote interest in manga and anime. Get ready for this... anime talked about and analyzed in the book include Blood: The Last Vampire, a lot of Mobile Suit Gundam (fanboys, you may scream now ), Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbour Totoro and Astro Boy. Tantalizing?


Even if you're not a fan of manga and anime, perhaps the travelogue side of the book will appeal to the adventurer in you. The route of Japanese pop culture is, after all, a pretty interesting one that comes with complimentary neon lights and an underlying sense of wackiness that is hard to resist.


A concurrent theme of the book is also a foreigner's exploration of the impact World War 2 might have had on anime and manga. This ultimately ensures that all fluff and no substance is a tag that will not be affixed to Wrong About Japan.


An extra bonus would be the cute cover, and artwork from various manga and anime included within the book.