You'll Learn a Lot about Haiku
An enjoyable book; I did learn something?or at least I was reminded?about haiku (e.g., the roles of seasonal words [*kigo*] and cut words [*kireji*]). What was most disappointing, perhaps (especially given that the author is a Harvard grad), was that the writing was kind of flat. The story could have been more compelling, I feel; and the current events the author was experiencing--as a diplomat or even just as a citizen of the world--could have been better woven into the narrative. (Instead, they seem oddly out of place.) Of course, if I?d try to write this sort of thing, I?d probably fail the first time around, too. I?ll liken these memoirs to the author?s haiku: Her first efforts were clumsy, awkward (and by her own admission, too). So is this book, at times. Overall, though, I'm glad I read it. Includes a helpful list of references and Web sites at end.
