Becker, Sara. American Fuji. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 2001.

Review by Jason Hamrick

American Fuji by Sara Becker is an unorthodox look at the nation of Japan and its culture. The process by which the novel places the reader into the setting is very interesting. In fact, the novel does an excellent job of disguising the fact that while you are following the storyline you are also learning about the culture of Japan simultaneously. The author places her characters in situations that cause them to either adhere to, or challenge, Japanese traditions and beliefs.
The story of the novel focuses on two main characters, Gaby Stanton and Alex Thorn. Both of these characters are Americans, but find themselves in Japan for different reasons. Gaby Stanton lives in Japan, and has for about five years. Alex Thorn, however, is only visiting the country. Unfortunately, his visit is not one of vacation and pleasure. Alex Thorn is an author, and has ventured to Japan on a book tour to promote his book, a self-help book about love. However, this book tour is only a side reason for him being in Japan. The main reason he has traveled to Japan is to find out what happened to his son, Cody. Cody had gone to Japan as an exchange student and had died. After this death his body was returned to America, and there was a bill for his body being sent internationally. However, there were no other bills, or explanations surrounding his death. It was because of this that his father, Alex, had come to Japan; for answers.
Throughout the story we find that Alex is not given very much help from the native Japanese. In fact, he felt like a baton in a relay race, being passed from one person to the next. It is not until he meets Gaby Stanton, that he begins to make some advances in his search for answers. Gaby Stanton is able to help him due to her connections. Previously, she had been an English professor at Shizuyama University but had lost her position, for reasons unknown to her. Following this loss of employment, and wanting to stay in Japan, Gaby had to find a job. She was able to do this and now works at Gone With The Wind, a funeral parlor that deals in fantasy funerals.
At first Gaby is apprehensive about helping Alex, mainly due to the fact that she knows that to do so, she will have to become indebted to individuals in Japan, an idea that Alex may not understand. But after a while, she gives in, as her employer actually tells her that she should help Mr. Thorn in any way she can. As the two begin to search for answers, they find that they are both looking for answers and begin a pursuit for both of them to find the truth. The story leads through numerous twist and turns, run ins and further questions and answers. Along the way we meet other individuals, all of which play particular roles in the acquisition of truth. We meet Lester, a professor from the UK, who likes to gamble and is viewed as being a bit of a jerk. Mr. Eguchi, Gaby’s boss, also plays a large role in the novel. In fact, as you read you find many out many things about Mr. Eguchi that were unknown. Another Japanese character, Marubatsu, who is also a professor at Shizuyama University, as well as being a priest. Marubatsu is also the man who was Cody Thorn’s sponsoring professor, thus making him a very important piece in answers surrounding Cody’s death. Another character is Mr. Aoshima, a client of Gone With The Wind, who unknowingly answers questions, and in some ways solves the mystery of Cody’s death. Of course there are other characters that serve important roles throughout the novel such as Rie, a Japanese woman that works with Gaby, or Junko, a student at Shizuyama University that helps Alex and Gaby along the way.
As I found them to be most important, other than the main characters, a closer look at Mr. Eguchi and Marubatsu is needed. These two men are crucial to the novel, and are crucial to Alex finding answers, as well