@ I always thought the worrying would dissipate when they become adults but unfortunately it doesn’t. In Germany they say to parents stressed with their toddlers, Kleine Kinder, kleine Sorgen, Große Kinder, große Sorgen.. small kids, small worries, big kids, big worries. I only understood it when I grew into that phase of parenthood myself. This too shall pass is the only thing that helps till you’re onto the next worry. Nevertheless, your son will be better equipped with the perspective and skills from two cultures. You already know that from living in Hungary. A true advantage in life. I hope he inherits your sense of humour. I can’t wait to see you all in Japan:)
@@scarba Thanks a lot Scarba, I'm also looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've taught ESL, but I think I'll slip back into it alright. He seems to be quite an intelligent little boy, perhaps a bit shy, but he seems to have a happy demeanour. It is probably more fun to grow up in Japan. That's the one thing that really annoys me about Canada, the lack of fun. When we were in Japan a few weeks ago, it was amazing for me to see so many children walking and biking home from school, with no parents anywhere to be seen. How nice for all these kids to not constantly have parents hanging over them. To be independent at an early age. People live in such a strange way in Canada, it's funny to go somewhere else and realize, "That's normal, these people are normal, and in Canada we are not."
@@grantlovesbooks same in Germany. Kids walk alone and take public transport alone to school. They aim for independence. If he’s introverted then he will fit right in since it’s a quiet and introverted culture. Am very happy for you and your family :) When are you going?
@@scarba It's a little complicated. I would like to go for a Masters so I can keep going with the student loans for 2 more years so I can spend time with Matthew and help Yukari without working. As well, I want to write the 2 memories I have planned. I don't think I'll be able to do this when we move to Japan and I have to really start working again. It would be a 100% online degree, so we might be able to move to Japan in one year. I hope so. This apartment is much too small for a child like Matthew who needs a lot of space to run around and play with his toys. I would love to live in Germany, but I've had a European experience, and would like to have an Asian experience now. Maybe one day. Yukari also loves Germany. Maybe we will retire there.
Great review Grant. I appreciate your attention on "Passing" and its racial and class themes and conflicts. It sounds as if the passing theme could be relatable to how people perform/ performativety (?). Really interesting and relatable. I'm curious about the style of the writing. Did the sentences and phrases enhance your reading experience? Keep up the great work Grant. Patrick
Thanks a lot Patrick. It is not particularly stylistic, it is written in a straightforward style, fairly similar to Hemingway. Sometimes I feel some writers tend to focus more on what the characters are wearing, but that's a particular style, especially when one character is jealous of another. I would give it a try, it's short, and gives you something to think about. Thanks for writing!
I understand you're not racist--but in my experience, the Japanese sure are. Matthew may have a difficult, but not impossible, time growing up there. He has every opportunity for a great education, great study habits, and being bilingual will absolutely benefit his future. All the best to you and yours.
Hello Sal, I hear you. Perhaps not racist, but exclusionary. I am not worried about his education or job prospects, I'm just worried about him having friends, and not getting bullied at school. I hope, being his father, and looking more like him than almost everyone else in the country, will be helpful to him. I suppose we could always come back to Canada, but this country feels like such a dead-end these days. I figure all I can do is love him and try to build up his character so that he has some confidence. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Hope you are well Sal!
@ not easy but we’ll worth the effort. When do you make the money be? You’ll have to send me your address. Hope you don’t think well of the Japanese. I do. They are extremely polite- though they think you an inferior race. I do think it exciting that Matthew will have the advantage of being bilingual.
Hey there Student here I am planing to write an 4000 word essay on 2 books that analyze the theme rasicim and social injustice. Do you think this book is suitable to be one of them?
Racism, absolutely yes. I'm not sure about social justice. In fact, I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure I understand what the term means. Passing is a good one, it's a good story, and full of interesting ideas to play with. 4000 words! Good-luck. I think the longest essay I wrote was 2000. What is the other book you are thinking of comparing it with?
He has the good fortune to have two cultures and two languages. A greater gift you cannot give.
Thanks Scarba, I think he will be OK. I guess it's natural to worry.
@ I always thought the worrying would dissipate when they become adults but unfortunately it doesn’t. In Germany they say to parents stressed with their toddlers, Kleine Kinder, kleine Sorgen, Große Kinder, große Sorgen.. small kids, small worries, big kids, big worries. I only understood it when I grew into that phase of parenthood myself. This too shall pass is the only thing that helps till you’re onto the next worry. Nevertheless, your son will be better equipped with the perspective and skills from two cultures. You already know that from living in Hungary. A true advantage in life. I hope he inherits your sense of humour. I can’t wait to see you all in Japan:)
@@scarba Thanks a lot Scarba, I'm also looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've taught ESL, but I think I'll slip back into it alright.
He seems to be quite an intelligent little boy, perhaps a bit shy, but he seems to have a happy demeanour. It is probably more fun to grow up in Japan.
That's the one thing that really annoys me about Canada, the lack of fun. When we were in Japan a few weeks ago, it was amazing for me to see so many children walking and biking home from school, with no parents anywhere to be seen. How nice for all these kids to not constantly have parents hanging over them. To be independent at an early age.
People live in such a strange way in Canada, it's funny to go somewhere else and realize, "That's normal, these people are normal, and in Canada we are not."
@@grantlovesbooks same in Germany. Kids walk alone and take public transport alone to school. They aim for independence. If he’s introverted then he will fit right in since it’s a quiet and introverted culture. Am very happy for you and your family :) When are you going?
@@scarba It's a little complicated. I would like to go for a Masters so I can keep going with the student loans for 2 more years so I can spend time with Matthew and help Yukari without working. As well, I want to write the 2 memories I have planned. I don't think I'll be able to do this when we move to Japan and I have to really start working again.
It would be a 100% online degree, so we might be able to move to Japan in one year. I hope so. This apartment is much too small for a child like Matthew who needs a lot of space to run around and play with his toys.
I would love to live in Germany, but I've had a European experience, and would like to have an Asian experience now. Maybe one day. Yukari also loves Germany. Maybe we will retire there.
Good luck, Grant.
Thanks so much Deb! Thanks for sticking with me, even after the long delay!
Great review Grant. I appreciate your attention on "Passing" and its racial and class themes and conflicts. It sounds as if the passing theme could be relatable to how people perform/ performativety (?). Really interesting and relatable. I'm curious about the style of the writing. Did the sentences and phrases enhance your reading experience? Keep up the great work Grant. Patrick
Thanks a lot Patrick. It is not particularly stylistic, it is written in a straightforward style, fairly similar to Hemingway. Sometimes I feel some writers tend to focus more on what the characters are wearing, but that's a particular style, especially when one character is jealous of another. I would give it a try, it's short, and gives you something to think about.
Thanks for writing!
The Demons von Heimito von Doderer.
an exceptionally special book
Looks good, I'll put that one the list. Thanks!
I understand you're not racist--but in my experience, the Japanese sure are. Matthew may have a difficult, but not impossible, time growing up there. He has every opportunity for a great education, great study habits, and being bilingual will absolutely benefit his future. All the best to you and yours.
Hello Sal, I hear you. Perhaps not racist, but exclusionary. I am not worried about his education or job prospects, I'm just worried about him having friends, and not getting bullied at school. I hope, being his father, and looking more like him than almost everyone else in the country, will be helpful to him. I suppose we could always come back to Canada, but this country feels like such a dead-end these days.
I figure all I can do is love him and try to build up his character so that he has some confidence.
Sounds easy, doesn't it?
Hope you are well Sal!
@ not easy but we’ll worth the effort. When do you make the money be? You’ll have to send me your address.
Hope you don’t think well of the Japanese. I do. They are extremely polite- though they think you an inferior race.
I do think it exciting that Matthew will have the advantage of being bilingual.
Hey there Student here I am planing to write an 4000 word essay on 2 books that analyze the theme rasicim and social injustice. Do you think this book is suitable to be one of them?
Racism, absolutely yes. I'm not sure about social justice. In fact, I have to admit, I'm not entirely sure I understand what the term means.
Passing is a good one, it's a good story, and full of interesting ideas to play with.
4000 words! Good-luck. I think the longest essay I wrote was 2000.
What is the other book you are thinking of comparing it with?
@grantlovesbooks if beatle street could talk by James Baldwin