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Thread: Dreaming Pachinko

  1. #1
    The Barbarian johntofva's Avatar
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    Default Dreaming Pachinko

    When play and talking about pachinko's aren't enough, now you can read Dreaming Pachinko.


    Fiction Review
    DREAMING PACHINKO
    Gambling, government corruption, murder… and a moped!Dateline: Monday, May 19, 2003
    By: CHRIS WYATTBy: Associate Editor



    Isaac Adamson’s new book DREAMING PACHINKO is extremely good. Writing (mostly) from the first person point-of-view of the lead character, Billy Chaka, Adamson delivers a wonderfully entertaining narrative voice that could be described as “Sam Spade modern”, but with accents of both Douglas Adams and The History Channel.


    Chaka, a journalist for YOUTH IN ASIA magazine, has been featured in Adamson’s previous two books (TOKYO SUCKERPUNCH and HOKKAIDO POPSICLE). OK, the “Youth in Asia” thing is an old joke, and a lame one; but one bad pun shouldn’t be taken as an indicator of the rest of the book, which is a sardonically, and charmingly, witty story.

    Chaka’s magazine has sent him once again to Tokyo, this time to track down an aging has-been pop singer, as part of an article series called “Fallen Stars”. He finds the ex-idol in a slummy Pachinko parlor (Pachinko being a form of Japanese gambling that’s part pinball machine and part slot machine… strange but true). He gets the interview, but in the process he witnesses as a beautiful woman has a major seizure.

    Chaka helps the woman, and calls an ambulance for her. It’s later reported that the woman left doctor’s care of her own volition, but the next time that Chaka sees her face, it’s on the news… the woman is found drowned in a nearby river.

    Despite the fact that the death is ruled accidental, a succession of strange visits by strange men lead Chaka to suspect foul play. Before too long his investigative reporter instincts beat out his good sense, and he winds up playing gumshoe.

    One of the other main characters of the novel is Tokyo itself. Adamson describes Chaka’s Tokyo in ways that make us see the paradox of a city that exists halfway between a thickly tradition-laden past, and a shockingly Neon-Chrome future. This Tokyo is exotic, unfathomable, and decidedly non-Western. It’s almost science fiction, almost pre-Blade Runner.

    But put aside the wit, and the great descriptive voice… and you’re still left with a good old fashioned Whodunit. DREAMING PACHINKO can be highly recommended to anyone. Now… if only I could figure out how to get my editor at CINESCAPE to send me on a trip to TOKYO in order to get one little article…
    Life
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    When you least expect it.

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  3. #2
    Site Admin Tulsa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    When play and talking about pachinko's aren't enough, now you can read Dreaming Pachinko.
    Or you could always dream, Reading Pachinko, aka pachitalk.
    Meanwhile, somewhere in Oklahoma.

  4. #3
    Mr. Pachitalk arbycoffee's Avatar
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    Default

    been there . . . done that . . . . even got the T-shirt
    "This is My Personal Opinion and no others"

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    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    Made me want to know what a Honda Hobbit looks like!
    The mentioned moped:

    Not a lot of pachinko in the book, but a good read.

    人生は恐れなければ、とても素晴らしいものなんだよ。
    人生に必要なもの。それは勇気と想像力、そして少しのお金だ。

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    The Barbarian johntofva's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    Yeah...I think this is a book I might have to buy. A love Douglas Adams, so it will be interesting to see if they do copy his style.
    Life
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    When you least expect it.

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    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    johntofva,
    Have it in the truck with me know. PM me your address if you'd like me to send it to you (free). When your done, send it to someone else. Leaving truckstop now, will check pm's later.

    人生は恐れなければ、とても素晴らしいものなんだよ。
    人生に必要なもの。それは勇気と想像力、そして少しのお金だ。

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  9. #7
    The Barbarian johntofva's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    Thanks!!!.....Will do............
    Life
    It's what happens
    When you least expect it.

  10. #8
    Site Admin Tulsa's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    Douglas Adams had it wrong though. It wasn't a towel but a bag of pachinko balls that every hitchhiker needs to carry. Think about it, a bag full could be used as:

    • A weapon for self-defense (bag slinging)
    • A weapon for self-defense from a distance with a wrist-rocket
    • Freeze it and you have a perfect molding cold compress
    • You're ready for a game of marble at all times
    • Someone chasing you? Spill them behind you and watch them fly!
    • Useful as a counter weight
    • Useful as a paper weight
    • When in the desert, pop one in your mouth to help with dry mouth
    • juggeling practice - you master this anything bigger is a piece of cake
    The list is endless...
    Meanwhile, somewhere in Oklahoma.

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  12. #9
    Gibisans - Japan West compirate's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dreaming Pachinko

    Old thread, but remembered the Hobbit!

    I'd be dumb enough to buy this just for the pachinko connection if I had money!

    人生は恐れなければ、とても素晴らしいものなんだよ。
    人生に必要なもの。それは勇気と想像力、そして少しのお金だ。

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