Fault Lines

3.5 stars, rounded down. I appreciated the portrayal of modern urban Japanese culture, with its traditional gender roles of workaholic husbands and stay-at-home wives. I'm not sure it is representative of all Japanese marriages, but Itami does definitely show the differences between American and Japanese definitions of success and happiness. There were several examples of dry humor that were greatly appreciated, although the book jacket comparison to Helen Fielding ([b:Bridget Jones's Diary 227443 Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, #1) Helen Fielding https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558869586l/227443.SY75.jpg 3185154]) is rather misleading (I haven't read enough Sally Rooney to comment on the alleged similarities to her work). But in the end, the book was not much more than The Bridges of Madison County in another country. I really didn't need to read the umpteenth story of a woman who has to choose between love and duty. It's a tale as old as time, and I'm not sure Itami brings anything new to the table besides the setting.