“This is a literary novel whose sublime language, deep wit and surprising plot twists make it well worth how challenging it can be to deal with foreign names, both of place and characters. In 1799 a young Dutch accountant goes to Japan to earn his fortune with the Dutch East Indies Company so that he can marry a rich man’s daughter back home. Needless to say, things do not go as smoothly as he had hoped, especially after he falls in love with a Japanese woman. The delights of this novel are truly satifying!”—Andy, University of Oregon Duck Store, Eugene