A Certain Mr. Takahashi

Reviews
'Her maturity with technique is impressive for a first novelist...demonstrates that she is familiar with the complex emotional landscape of teen-aged girls and the intricacies of family dynamics. She also succeeds in infusing her story with a strong sexual undercurrent.... The most promising thing about A Certain Mr. Takahashi is the assured manner in which Ireland handles the intricate structure of the story. That’s a talent that bodes well for her future.’ Globe and Mail


‘...painfully unblinking about what age and time do to former loves and affections... the delight that this most perceptive and compassionate of fictions keeps generating.’ Valentine Cunningham in The Observer (U.K.) 


‘...this is a work of the highest literary merit, simply and cleanly written, yet complex in its implications.’ Calgary Herald


‘On a surface level, this is a fine and entertaining piece of work. A CERTAIN MR. TAKAHASHI is humorous and compassionate, funny and sad. Beneath the surface, this is a serious book, presenting an inventive perspective on fantasy and obsession as an entry to the world. Winner of the 1985 Seal First Novel Award, Ann Ireland has made an exciting and accomplished debut with this book.’ San Francisco Chronicle


‘...is tightly plotted... richly textured, and written in a style that is often lyrical....richer in imagery, stylistic complexity and felicity, character and humour.’ Douglas Glover in Books In Canada 


‘While the novel is set in Canada, it has a sophisticated European flavor – the kind of theme French writer Francoise Sagan used to dwell on. Ireland does it better.’ Toronto Sun