The past couple of weeks, I spent some of my time reading. One
novel I read was:
Big in Japan by Jennifer
Griffith.
...
This is Jennifer’s forth novel. Jennifer is another of those
novelists that can grab your attention at the beginning of the book and keep you
spellbound to the last surprising chapter and page. Jennifer has a knack of
transporting the reader into the story where they experience the action, loves,
and heartaches of the lively characters within.
...
This fictional account is a story set in Texas and Japan. Big in Japan is about Buck Cooper and
his struggles as an obese man who seems to be invisible to his colleagues and the
girl he has a ‘big-as-him’ crush on and those he comes into contact with. His
life is changed drastically when he goes to Japan with his mother & father
to help promote a product his father has invented.
...
Buck is faced with decisions that will take him from the life
he has known, (which not only he’s good at but that he thinks he loves), to the
love of another kind. Buck finds that a bigness that has caused him ridicule
and grief his whole life is the very thing that brings him fame in Japan. I
found myself frustrated with Buck at times and excited and happy for him as
well. You will cheer for him and fear for him as he climbs a foreign ladder
into the world of sumo wrestling, where foreigners are not so happily welcomed.
Having grown up on what I lovingly call “a poor dirt farm” in Arizona, I could
relate somewhat to Buck – the guy who never got the girl and with some of the
crude ways he was forced to live (and this is stretching the imagination).
...
Life for Buck in Texas has been one of a total contrast from
the life Chocho’s had to live being the “princess” daughter of the sumo world’s
kingpin leader in Japan. She is impressed and inspired by Buck. It seems all of
Japan is taken with his winning smile and ability to captivate those around him.
But Chocho knows nothing can come of their friendship for it would be a
forbidden love. Her father would never stand for a blonde, blue-eyed
son-in-law; he would see his daughter sold to the highest sumo wrestler first…
to him that would be an honorable match, love or no.
...
Buck finds life in the sumo world to be one of great challenge.
The decisions Buck eventually makes seem to have little regard for the cost to
himself and even to his beloved father’s successful venture in Japan. I found
that I admired his tenacity and persistence in being able and willing to do some
of the things required of him, and his stick-to-it-ivenesss (I know that’s not
a word but regardless, it seems to fit).
...
In the end, does Buck go back to his accounting life in
Texas? Does he finally win the girl at the office that has snubbed him before?
Or does he climb to the top of the sumo wrestling world and the cash money that
could save his family’s threatened farm? Does he stay in Japan, a country he’s
learned to love and win the forbidden love and a true friend? Those are
questions you may ask and certainly find out if you read this book.
...
Jennifer Griffith paints a picture of human struggles in
epic proportions. Trials of integrity, loyalty, forgiveness and the courage to
face the decisions we make are all an intrinsic part of this story, where Jennifer
takes us into the characters hearts and the life of a sumo wrestler that will
keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you turning page after page. If
you’re interested in a good book to read, I highly recommend Big in Japan by Jennifer Griffith. I
would give this book five stars! ~Joyce
(I put the Chicken in the crock and cook for several hours until done, then shred it and add back to the Crock Pot. 
*Drain all cans BEFORE adding to Crock Pot of Chicken.
; then add the roux sauce to Chicken mix. 
Cook until heated through;
serve with Tortilla Chips, Cheese, Sour Cream, etc.
