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It is said that the best way to really learn a language is through immersion. By relying on the language for your everyday survival, you can completely internalize and understand it, and use idioms and slang. In his novel THE ISLAND OF BICYCLE DANCERS, Jiro Adachi builds on this basic idea and presents a tale not only of language and culture but also of family, friendships, sexuality and self-awareness.
A unique take on both coming-of-age stories and immigrant stories, Adachi's novel centers on Yurika Song, a twenty-year-old woman from Japan who is in America for the first time, ostensibly to learn English. An aimless, lazy young woman, Yurika finds herself in New York City with her Korean relatives. Working at their convenience store under the watchful eye of her resentful aunt, she begins to learn American English from the customers and neighbors she meets every day. She also becomes friends with a group of bicycle messengers who frequent the store; she is fascinated by their slang and attracted to their rebellious lifestyle. As she becomes close with one messenger in particular, she is drawn to another one who she often sees riding by.
Whitey, an eccentric messenger with a smile full of crooked teeth, is immediately smitten by Yurika. She loves his use of language and his openness. They become friends, and Whitey shows her a magical New York City. However, as Whitey's feelings for Yurika grow stronger and stronger, she begins a highly charged affair with Bone, a messenger considered an outsider even within the messenger subculture. As things between Yurika and Bone heat up and tensions arise between them and Whitey, their misunderstood relationship is the catalyst for tragic violence.
Suddenly Yurika's American experience is torn apart at the seams. She must face painful loss amid growing family tensions. Just as she must come to terms with the truth about her relationships with both Whitey and Bone, she must finally confront the truth about her choices in the past and her relationship with her family.
THE ISLAND OF BICYCLE DANCERS is full of interesting and well-written characters. Yurika's culture shock in New York easily could have overtaken the story, but Adachi wisely wrote her emotional growth as the most important component of the story. The book could also have been overcome with details, as there are several interesting story lines --- but again, Adachi controls his story and characters with a seemingly natural ease.
This novel is an enjoyable and unpredictable read. Yurika is surrounded by many teachers who most unwittingly guide her in her transformation from a selfish and unmotivated girl to a thoughtful and driven woman. Her transformation does not happen easily; her maturity and independence are hard-earned. Adachi is successful at blending this realism into a story that is also concerned with the magic and mystery of language.
Written with an uncommon sensitivity, Adachi's debut is all at once about love, friendship, sex, language, family, immigration and growing up. Yurika is a likeable though realistically flawed protagonist, and is a great vehicle for Adachi's intelligent and insightful style.
--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
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