A man and a woman meet in a park in Kanazawa. Their respective spouses have run off together, and Mariko has reached out to Sedge perhaps to make sense of things. Incidentally, Sedge is about to move to his brother-in-law’s inn, where Mariko works.

This is a study of families, relationships between men and women, and one American migrant’s place in Japan. I never feel that he fits in; Sedge is entitled, as one might expect, and he is insensitive. He doesn’t approach the unspoken customs of his adopted homeland with humility or understanding. He’s a stranger in a strange land, perhaps; but is boorish rather than acknowledging it.

Mariko, too, is a bit incomprehensible as the endlessly understanding stepmother of a very difficult child. Riku, her son, has behavioural problems that may even be psychiatric in nature; but Mariko will not seek help for him, only understanding and compassion from Sedge and their community, no matter how badly Riku behaves. And his behaviour is nightmarish.

I was like Sedge in some ways, reading this book: baffled by the appeals to compassion, and struggling to connect to the characters’ motivations. They behave in very frustrating ways. But the evocative thread through the book of herons, dangerous when cornered and yet so fragile, helped me find a way to understand a little: maybe Sedge, Mariko and Riko (and all the people surrounding them) can be seen through the same lens.

One other thing: the scenery and background are really beautifully evoked in this novel. It’s worth reading, too, for this immersive experience.

Many thanks to Stone Bridge Press and to NetGalley for early access to a DRC.

Melancholy book following a simple man as he comes to terms with his ending marriage. Gentle and not forced the story holds truths and understanding of the conflict in feelings for a decaying relationship.

This was a slow burner with some lovely descriptions. Overall I found it fairly predictable and it's not one I'd recommend widely.

The Heron Catchers (Nov 2023) by David Joiner follows the story of Sedge, an American expat whose wife Nozomi has ran off with another married man. With Sedge's money. That, of course, leaves him in a pickle. His brother-in-law offers to let him stay at their family-run ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen while he processes what's next, where his marriage is concerned.

At the inn, Sedge gets to know Mariko, the wife of the man who has ran off with Nozomi. It's an awkward encounter at first, but the two eventually become romantically involved too, much to the chagrin of Sedge's in-laws. The situation is complicated by the presence of Mariko's stepson Riku, who's a creative but troubled teenager. He's also a bird lover and that later leads to a horrific incident.

Without revealing too much of the plot, I'd say this is a poignant slow burn. It's occasionally very emotional and even gets a bit dark towards the end. Overall, it's a lovely read for those who enjoy stories set in quaintly places outside the big cities.

Joiner's an expat living in Kanazawa, and this is his 2nd novel that's set in and around the said city. Kanazawa is famous for Kenrokuen, one of the Top 3 Gardens in Japan. The garden was beautifully described in the first chapter, and it's where the heron makes its first appearance in the book.

A poignant and evocative novel set in Kanazawa, a beautiful off the beaten track locale of Japan. Sedge an American married to a Japanese lass Nozomi is at a crossroads in his life. She has run away after emptying their bank account and leaving him penniless. Nozomi was a pottery artisan and he used to manage a ceramic shop with her. As Sedge is trying to work through his devastating loss while waiting to hear from his wife he meets Mariko whose spouse Nozomi has run away with. As Sedge is picking the pieces of his life he becomes entangled with Mariko. He also becomes acquainted with her stepson known for his jealously and violence.

An intimate novel focusing heavily o relationship Joiner elicits his protagonists to search deeply in their hearts while engaging in daily activities, customs and festivities of Japan. He weaves a dazzling tale around Sedge and Mariko’s misfortunes and invokes my own search for the meaning and purpose of life. Along the way I heard of the Haiku poet Matsuo Basho, the meaning of different birds especially herons, origami, various Japanese customs and also about Kanazawa itself.

He explores how a small town like Kanazawa treat Sedge and Mariko. Small communities are rife with gossip. Very little goes unnoticed and even the smallest episode can be blown out of all proportion. There are no secrets in such places.

True a mournful thread runs through this novel. Nevertheless, it is Joiners subtle penmanship that grips me to this tale. As I take in all the different nuances of this novel I am engrossed and the pages can’t turn quick enough. I learn about Gunbaru the Japanese art of resilience which I discover is so much more than that. Eventually despite their misfortunes they find redemption and wholeness coupled with a life of purpose through Japanese culture.

The various aspects and there are so many in this novel are difficult to explain yet Joiner in the true sense of a bard recounts them beautifully in his book. It’s not surprising that it was a 2023 American Writing Awards Finalist. This was a satisfying and uplifting read that provoked much inner thought. When I finished it, I let out a long contented sigh of wellbeing. Rarely has a book stirred such emotions in me. Joiner I take my hat off to you and am looking forward to more of your novels.

The Heron Catchers is a novel about people left behind. That was enough to draw me in, as I love novels that deal with grief. Alas, this book was not for me. The whole book comes off as stilted and imbalanced, and as a result, lessens the impacts of the dynamics it is trying to highlight.

The premise and the beginning of this novel were extremely promising, but the middle part of the book fell flat to me. The character development was imbalanced, and I wish there was more to the story from the other family members who were affected by these people's affairs. Still, the ending was decent enough for me to finish.

The Heron Catchers is the third novel set in the far East by American writer David Joiner and the second focusing on the city of Kanazawa, Japan. Majoring in Japanese Studies in college and thereafter living for many years in different parts of Vietnam and Japan, Mr. Joiner knows of what he writes. This is the first and only book of his that I have read. Thank you to David Joiner, Stone Bridge Press, and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of the book for my reading pleasure. My review is wholly VOLUNTARY.

I found the subject and premise of The Heron Catchers interesting and intriguing, but I found it difficult to read and to enjoy. Although it begins with the heartache of two couples drawn asunder by the infidelities of their respective spouses, the remaining spouses develop a deeply mutual, loving, caring and emotionally healthy relationship. The problem with their newfound relationship, however, lies in the emotionally disturbed teenage son left behind by his cheating father and in the care of the abandoned wife, the boy’s stepmother. The boy’s father had left him and his stepmother twice before, but when he was around, he physically abused his son. After their most recent abandonment, the boy demonstrated inappropriate sexual feelings toward his stepmother, and when the new man entered their life, the boy was aggressively jealous.

I found that too much of the book is focused on the boy and his relationship with his stepmother and her new man. Further, the boy’s repeated and escalating aggressions are predictable. I also found that the new man, an American caucasian, was much too passive and forgiving—not only of the boy but also of his cheating wife and her brother and sister in law, who also treated him poorly and unfairly.

The book is liberally peppered with Japanese words, making the reading difficult and slow. It required me to look up various terms frequently, hindering my enjoyment and comprehension. On the other hand, Mr. Joiner does a wonderful job of painting a beautiful picture of Kanazawa and its surroundings and of some of Japan’s history, culture and traditions. A less liberal spattering of Japanese would have been preferable for me.

I loved the premise of the book. Unfortunately the book did not hold up. My reading expericence was hindered by a rather stilted writing style. I was not able to focus on what happened or the characters because I was constantly being distracted by the uncomfortableness of the writing. Sorry to say this was not for me.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing an advanced reader copy.

This plot has an intriguing and twisty love miss-match that gives the main character lots of opportunity for growth. I enjoyed parts of this book, such as the descriptive setting, and the calm pace of the book, but found the dialogue felt a bit unnatural and I was invested in any of the characters. Overall an ok read for me.

I read and enjoyed David Joiner's 'Kanazawa' and so was looking forward to this next book set in the same area. This time we meet Sedge, an American whose Japanese wife has run off with another man. Almost broke after she scarpered with all of his money, he is invited to stay with his wife's brother and his family (as you do). As he adjusts to this new life he becomes involved with Mariko and her teenage stepson. Oh, Mariko happens to be the wife of the man that his wife ran off with. Phew.

Once I got past the (for me) rather unlikely premise of the partner-swapping, this is a well-written and sensitive exploration of family relationships and what it means to be a family. Sedge, for all his attempts to fit in, is always an outsider in some ways, and this tension keeps the book simmering along nicely.

It's an interesting and involving book. It just seems to me that it's best not to be an American living in Kanazawa! 4 worthy stars for an enjoyable novel.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Literary fiction at its best ,I was completely immersed in the story from the first pages.A husband whose wife has left with another man his heart wrenching emotions are so vivid his aching loneliness.I also am fascinated by Japanese culture and the author bring us right into their world their lifestyle ps and customs.Quietly beautiful a truly special read.#netgalley #stonebridgepress.

This is a dreamy, atmospheric read, and covers so much ground but in an almost imperceptible way.

A couple are thrown together when their spouses run off together, and their gradual relationship causes problems with their family on both sides. There is so much to unpack in this book and it has some genuinely shocking moments that are hard to forget.

The sense of being a foreigner in a very traditional society is explored really well, and the dependencies and connections that this highlights. The sense of obligation and doing the right thing comes to the fore, and what happens when this isn't enough. The relationships between Sedge, his estranged wife's family, and with his wife's lover's wife and his son, are complicated and evolve over time to draw a very delicate set of images that are as haunting as the herons that haunt the scene.

This is my first book by this author — though I have been hearing a lot of buzz about this book— in my social and book club groups. The author tastefully writes his protagonists who are immersed in Japanese life and culture — which is more truthful for those who become permanent residents of Japan. The details of Japanese culture, particularly that of village life and the people living there are very accurate. The characters and their stories are likable and maintain your engagement throughout the whole story. This book not only shows you the intricacies of Japanese culture and community but also explores the personal growth of the characters which are woven together well.

Thanks to Netgalley and Stone Bridge Press for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I enjoy how this story of love and grief is weaved together in the mountain and lake area where herons congregate and reside, and where the land still recalls the poet Basho, who visited the area while composing his now-famous haiku while wandering. The tale takes place in Kanazawa and Yamanaka Onsen, both of which are located near the Sea of Japan.

Sedge is an American whose wife has taken another man's wife. He meets the man's wife, Mariko, who is also grieving the loss of her husband. Sedge and Mariko are left behind, but form their own union and alliance while dealing with Mariko's husband's disturbed 16-year-old son.

Sedge and the son, who is both jealous and tormented, appeared to bond over the beauty of the surroundings and the rescue of an injured heron.

I liked the love story and the environment of the novel, and I learned more about herons, their size, strength, and beauty. And I thought the book's cover art was stunning.

David Joiner's The Heron Catchers finds an American man, Sedge, whose wife has run off with another man taking their life savings with them. Destitute, he accepts an offer from his brother in law to live in the ryokan that they. Complicating this is the fact that Mariko, the wife of the man that Sedge's wife ran off with, is employed at the ryokan. During his stay there, comradery, shared shame and grief brings the two together. The story looks at grief, abandonment and familial bonds from many points of view.

I very much enjoyed the writing in he beginning of the book. The descriptions of this region of Japan, the birds and the inner dialog of Sedge drew me in. Once Sedge reached the ryokan and began interacting with Mariko and her stepson, I could not find any passion or connection between the characters. Another disorienting part was that i had to go back to try to figure out where it was stated that Sedge was American, which changed the image of the beginning of the story in my mind. In the end, while the story was fine, it was somewhat unfulfilling

This book was good. I enjoyed the reading about how different people dealt with their grief and moving on with their lives.

A gorgeous, slow burn of a book. Anyone who is fascinated by Japanese culture will love this. Joiner paints an evocative portrait of life in Japan in such a subtly beautiful way, without ever trying too hard. The family saga that unfolds is almost secondary to the setting - it's compelling, but it's the gorgeous backdrop that kept me coming back to this book.

What do you do when your wife runs off with another man, emptying the joint bank account in the process and leaving you rather destitute and unable to continue running your shop for income? Here’s the starting point for our protagonist, Sedge, who is taken in by his brother & sister in law who run an onsen (hot-spring B&B) where he also meets Mariko, the wife of the man who ran off with his wife.

The Japanese characters are well evoked and the passive-aggressive natures of their conflicts come across as all too accurate. Sedge’s in-laws particularly specialise in this, a contrast to Mariko’s in-laws who are the model of hospitality for Mariko’s step-son Riku. And surrounding the human conflicts are the herons, who fly around, get hurt, recover and take flight again. Which of these characters will find healing like the herons? You’ll have to read the novel to find out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The following review will be posted near publication date in Japonica magazine: https://medium.com/japonica-publication
Will post to Amazon and Goodreads once the Japonica review is published.

Like Kanazawa, David Joiner's previous award-winning novel, The Heron Catchers is set in Ishikawa Prefecture, mostly in the town of Yamanaka Onsen where he once lived. The novel is scheduled for released on November 21 from Stone Bridge Press. 

The novel begins in the famed Kenrokuen garden in Kanazawa, one of the three greatest gardens of Japan. Sedge, a Japanese-speaking American, is meeting Mariko, the wife of the man his own wife has run away with. 
But while waiting, a heron attacked by a boar, breaking its wing. A bird watcher himself, Sedge comes to the bird's aid just as Mariko arrives. It turns out she has her own scars from rescuing herons. 
Everyone in this novel, it turns out, is deeply scarred and not just from being attacked by birds. Although it's been months since his wife, Nozomi, has run off with Mariko's husband, Sedge has barely started to recover from the loss. 

Not only did she abandon him, but she emptied their bank accounts, leaving Sedge with little to live on. They'd run a shop together selling local Kutani ware pottery, but without her, the shop has closed. Without any way to contact her, or any idea where she went, he can't even initiate divorce proceedings and move on with his life.
Soon Sedge leaves Kanazawa for the small hot springs town of Yamanaka Onsen where his brother-in-law runs a ryokan. Taking pity on him for his wife taking all his money, he invites Sedge to stay at the ryokan until he gets back on his feet again in return for teaching English to the staff.

It turns out Mariko works at the ryokan, too, but instead of taking classes with the rest of the staff, she invites him to her home where she's left taking care of Riku, her emotionally scarred 16-year old stepson.
Sedge and Mariko gradually develop a tenuous relationship, unsure what will happen if and when their spouses return. Mariko's stepson feels threatened by the sudden presence of Sedge in their home, with the possibility of a violent outburst always a threat whenever they're together. Though they don't have much else in common beyond deep scars of betrayal, all three share a love of herons. 

How Sedge, Mariko, and Riku navigate this complex relationship that's in constant danger of collapse is the heart of this entrancing novel. The characters feel real, and though we grief with them, the story is never maudlin. 

One of the few novels in English set in rural Japan, we get to see life in Ishikawa, a world away from Tokyo and Kyoto. An American there, even one who speaks Japanese, stands out, eyes constantly following him. 

There the humans and herons go about their own lives that when they collide, leave scars on both sides. But with loving care, broken wings heal as do broken hearts, and both can learn to fly again.