Alan Brown went to Japan in 1987 as a Fulbright journalist. He lived in Tokyo for seven years, writing for magazines and newspapers and reporting on culture for BBC Radio. His short fiction has appeared in New Directions anthologies and other publications. He lives in New York City.

A "dazzling debut" ("People"), Alan Brown's novel tells the story of 23-year-old Toshi who moves to Tokyo, where he finds a thrilling metropolis full of Americans. "Intelligently and tenderly (braids) politics, war, laughter, and erotic and familial love".--"New York Newsday".