The Book Report #121
Episode #120
There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job
By Kikuko Tsumura
The Book
Originally published in Japan by Nikkei Business Publications Inc., 14th October 2020. And also by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc in the same year.
The translation was arranged by Nikkei Business Publishing Inc., with Polly Barton being the translator.
My copy is a fifth-print paperback with 408 pages, with some acknowledgements and a note on the type.
What Did I Think?
We never learn the narrator’s name in this book, but she is looking for the perfect job for herself. She wants a job that requires no effort at all. But wants to feel she has achieved something.
The narrator is given the chance to succeed in five jobs. Although mostly the same, each job has its own little twists.
The first job was watching someone through hidden cameras. His friend had hidden contraband in his flat without his knowledge. And they were waiting for him to find it so they could send in agents to take possession of it. Here she learns about the habits the viewers develop while watching their host. And she learns some new things that she takes on herself.
The second job was for an advertising company providing radio adverts for the area the tram operated. She helps create adverts whilst trying to figure out the possible mystery of the sudden appearances and disappearances of local businesses. She meets someone who might be involved.
The third job is part of a rice cracker company, where she helps while a coworker is on mental health leave. Again, she creates new stories and series that help promote and bring in new customers who will buy more rice crackers.
The fourth job takes a different route as she helps a small company put up posters being placed around a local city area. Here, she has the problem of dealing with a rival poster company whose intentions are to meet new people. The company believes they are up to no good.
The fifth job is working in a forest/ park. She has to map the area she is working. Whilst solving another mystery of items being moved and disappearing.
She Excels
It’s abundantly clear that she excels at all the jobs she is given, and she goes beyond to help whoever she works with. She could have had a great career, gone up the ladder and been a leader in all of them. Fair enough, a couple of the jobs wouldn’t have been possible, but still, she exceeded every job criterion.
I started the book thinking I wouldn’t like it, but the narrator convinced me otherwise. I couldn’t quite believe the first story, but I didn’t need to; the book was about her journey to find the easiest job going, but not to have it boring, although a little boredom is okay.
Would I Recommend?
This is a book from the beginning. I wasn’t sure I would like it. But it grew on me to the point that I would like to read other books by Miss Tsumura. So I would recommend this book for those who aren’t after a lot but don’t mind a little drama.
Please give this book a go.
Would you like to purchase your very own copy?
You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA and Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/USA, Barnes & Noble, or eBay UK/USA.
Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.
