One Hot Summer in Kyoto

By John Haylock

Book Overview

The tale of English teacher Peter Meadowes, who flees to Kyoto for a summer vacation and finds himself lusting after every woman he sees . . .

Hot and sticky describes the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto in summer. And that is just the situation Peter Meadowes finds himself in when he flees to Kyoto for his summer vacation. During the rest of the year the middle-aged Meadowes teaches in Tokyo, a circumstance which conveniently enables him to leave his commanding wife (who hates Japan) back in England.

In the old capital Meadowes also expects to find relief from Noriko, his grim Japanese mistress. But in the small wood-and-paper Japanese house he has rented, he finds something unexpected: another woman to desire. Kazumi is seductive, yet she always manages to slip away. Then Noriko arrives, oddly possessive but sharing giggles with Kazumi--perhaps about Meadowes's prowess? Next on the scene is Miss Goto, polite, apologetic, a serious lover of theater who turns an elaborately staged seduction into a comedy of errors. When wife Monica shows up from England, Meadowes must choose . . . and fast.

John Haylock's novel vividly evokes the languid torpor of summer in the fabled city of temples and gardens. Yet hidden within this steamy farce about obsessive lust is an underbelly of duplicity, discontent, and fear. When making his choice, Peter Meadowes confronts the love-hate relationship that afflicts the typical gaijin--foreigner--in Japan. Remaining in Japan may be impossible, but escaping only creates the desire to return.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1880656086
• ISBN13: 9781880656082
• Release Date: June 1993
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Travel to Japan without leaving home

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (3/07) If you ever wanted to see a different side of Japan, this is the book for you. John Haylock uses his 14 years of experience in Japan as a teacher and a writer to create "One Hot Summer in Kyoto." He tells of a man taking a trip to Kyoto after shipping his wife and children back to England. Peter Meadowes really should have covered his tracks more. He gets interested in Kazumi, the caretaker of the house he is staying in, but she keeps rejecting him. Her creativity in how to get away from Peter is very entertaining. It's a case of him lusting after someone he can't have! Kazumi does kiss him but it's only when others are around. He has a mistress in Japan but all things aren't well there either. You see, Peter is lusting after Kazumi, so Noriko doesn't look as good to him as he originally thought. Noriko meets up with Kazumi. It's a very funny part of the book when Noriko and Kazumi talk in Japanese and Peter's conscience gets the best of him. As if it's not bad enough having his mistress and the one who he wants to be with conversing in a language he doesn't fully understand, but he hears from his wife Monica. She plans on making a trip to Japan to surprise him. This is not the kind of surprise Peter will enjoy. When Monica arrives she rattles the door and Peter is forced into a rather weak excuse. When she asks him what he is doing down there, he replies "Having supper." It is fast answers that add to the humor of this book. Peter had plans to go to the theater with one of his women, but now his wife is there. He comes up with an idea for her to come along; however, she asks what is showing. Monica asks them if it is a play of disillusionment. If she only knew just how her husband had been acting during his weeks of summer in Kyoto. Peter leaves Japan at the end but only with looking back to what could have been. Will he ever be able to get Japan and its many "attractions" out of his mind? Having had a friendship with an exchange student from Japan years ago made this a delightful read. It brought back memories of my friend talking about how beautiful her country was and how unique their culture is. "One Hot Summer in Kyoto" is definitely a book for adults' reading enjoyment. I think that John Haylock has accomplished his purpose in "One Hot Summer in Kyoto" in creating an environment where you can experience Japan and its many different ways. You can travel to Kyoto, Japan without leaving home when reading "One Hot Summer in Kyoto." If you have ever visited Japan, you will recall how beautiful the scenery is there. If you are into romances and the "other woman" stories, this is a must read. Often times you will feel like you are right there with the characters. You won't be in the community bath but you will be in Japan otherwise.