Love Amongst Strangers

By Courtney Milnestein

'Dear Courtney, I know I should be telling you nice things, but in truth, I’m completely out of sorts being here. I just don’t think I fit in.'

A tale of two cities, bringing together two strangers from different walks of life as they find themselves eventually drawn towards the same path. From the dirt and grime of London to the routine efficiency of Tokyo half a world away, hapless romantic Daniel Zwolinski yearns for the pop culture of the past amidst the chill of Highbury Overground's open platforms whilst Molly Tildën rides the Women Only car in rush hour, commuting from Kawagoeshi in Saitama Prefecture along the Seibu Shinjuku Line, both struggling with their own ideas of what Japan means, what relationships mean, and how to heal a broken heart.

With heart and warmth, Love Amongst Strangers is a tiny slice of Generation X loneliness for the dispossessed. Recommended for anyone who has ever gone travelling in search of home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Black Saturn
• Release date: Jan 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781005505875

Book preview

16-02-15 DEAR COURTNEY,

 I know I should be telling you nice things, I know I should be talking about how lovely everyone here is and how wonderful it is. I should be falling into those old clichés straight off without thinking—oh, it’s so futuristic, oh, everything is so very clean... but in truth, I’m completely out of sorts being here. I just don’t think I fit in. 

I know, right? Oh, cry moar, you’re in Japan, for Christ’s sake. But it’s so difficult knowing how to just be over here, and I always feel as if, despite how nice people are, there’s like this unreasonable expectation of how I should be. I’m not sure if that’s just because I’m a woman, or if it’s because I’m an American woman (that’s a double whammy for most people right there, I think). 

I’m sick of not being able to eat properly—and the shower gel I’ve been using has given me eczema or something, it’s totally dried out my skin and left my arms with a rash that is embarrassing and unsightly. I’m just feeling really bummed about everything lately, and it totally doesn’t help, you know? I should go to Lush. You know Lush, right? I’m pretty sure there’s one in Tacoma Mall near where you live. Of course you know Lush, what am I talking about, right? Oh, big sigh, Molly. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are things over here that I love, totally and unashamedly—outside vending machines? Yes pls. Outside vending machines with 500ml cans of Coke! Oh, hell yeah! And I love how cheap cigarettes are! They’re like $4! How fucking great is that? It would be even better if there was any place to fucking