Official Review: Hangovers on Japan by Samari.Shelby

Helene_2008 · Post by **Helene_2008** » 25 Apr 2020, 18:25

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hangovers on Japan" by Samari.Shelby.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Hangovers on Japan may sound like you are about to read a story similar to the movie The Hangover, but this book actually has a lot more depth and emotion than the popular movie. This book is about the author’s life long struggle with addiction to drugs, alcohol, and abusive men. Samari Shelby was nineteen years old when she moved to Japan to start a solo career as a ballerina. She stayed by herself for six months at the Hotel Onsen in Shojii where she performed for mainly Japanese businessmen in the evening. During her time here, Samari gets acquainted with her first two loves. One of them is Okuyama, the manager of the hotel. He treats Samari with genuine kindness and even defends her when others are causing her trouble. Her second love is alcohol. Samari is lonely during her time in Japan since she came to the country not knowing anyone. Therefore, Samari takes to drinking and socializing with the hotel staff at the end of the day to cure her loneliness. And so, begins her struggle with the first of many substances she will encounter.

Samari leaves Japan and eventually ballet so she can get a “straight job” as she calls it. She continues to struggle with alcohol and even starts using some other substances as well. Some of her relationships in her life are toxic as well, especially her boyfriend, Don. Samari gets some inspiration while listening to the radio and decides maybe a way to solve several of her problems is to get some physical distance between her and the source of her bad habits. She plans to escape to Japan again, but will it be enough to quit her addictions for good?

While the author has written articles in the past, this was her first novel. I thought she did a really great job keeping me engaged as a reader. I loved Samari’s descriptions of the people in her life. They were so descriptive that I felt I could clearly imagine the person and understand their character. The description of Kyoko, her manager, was one of my favorites. I also loved learning about Japanese culture while reading the book. I feel that I could go to Japan, observe the people there, and recognize things Samari describes in her book. Being from Ohio, I also thought it was really funny to hear that a lot of people from Ohio actually move to Japan and stay there. I suppose I’ll have to visit and see what it’s all about.

I did enjoy the book, but the editing could have been better. I noted there were more than ten errors. Another issue is the title of the book. When I opened up the PDF to read, the title page says “Hangovers in Japan.” The Online Book Club website says “Hangovers on Japan.” Therefore, I’m not sure which title the author intended, but it should be consistent in all places. Finally, I think it would be interesting if the author included a little bit more about why she first went to Japan at nineteen. I know she went there for ballet, but why not somewhere else? I don’t know much about ballet, but it seems like an odd but interesting choice for a solo career.

I rate Hangovers on Japan a 3 out of 4. I took off a point due to editing and confusion around the title. Due to language, drug use, and sexual content, the book is only appropriate for adults. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with alcohol or drug addiction or knows someone who struggles with this. Samari often describes her internal battle between liking the person that the drugs or alcohol make her become versus the productive person she can be when she is sober. I think that is a conflict many people can relate to, and it could benefit them by reading what worked and didn’t work for her.

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Hangovers on Japan
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Post by **Kirsi Cultrera** » 27 Apr 2020, 06:19

The name of this book was so catching that I just had to open up your review to see what it is all about. I wasn't expecting such a serious topic to pop out, but this definitely seems like something I'd like to read. Understanding alcohol or drug addiction is very difficult, and also the changing personality of an addict is hard to understand. This book seems like one that could give some new perspective to the topic.

Adanna Inya · Post by **Adanna Inya** » 27 Apr 2020, 06:34

The book being about the author's life makes me have a little more respect for her. From traveling alone to another continent where she knew no one, to falling into habits, running to and fro, etc. It makes me want to know how her mind works, because I've not been through anything that she has. Thank you for the review.

Ediomis_Enwongo01 · Post by **Ediomis_Enwongo01** » 27 Apr 2020, 07:17

Samari leaving for Japan was an adventure. This had a lot of impact on her life as would anyone who is adventurous. Thanks for your honest review.

Splendour0606 · Post by **Splendour0606** » 27 Apr 2020, 08:20

Honestly,I didn't really expect much from this book because of the cover page,but I was quite captivated by the characters.Addiction can really strip one of great potentials.Your review was a nice read.

Kachi_Ejiogu+_ · Post by **Kachi_Ejiogu+_** » 27 Apr 2020, 09:33

Rising above habits that have overtime evolved into addictions isn't really an easy task. I'd have to add this to my shelve to find out more on that. Thank you for this honest review. Very apt.!

JKO · Post by **JKO** » 27 Apr 2020, 11:57

I'd really like to explore the depth of emotions this book promises as opposed to the popular movie "hangover." This is a super review.

funninessishappiness · Post by **funninessishappiness** » 28 Apr 2020, 00:56

When I first saw this review I didn't expect it to be about a woman and her struggle with life and addition. It sounds very interesting. Even so, I'm not sure if I will read it. It's not a genre I read often, but who knows. Thank you for the review! It was interesting to read about a book that I probably wouldn't choose for myself.