Iain Maloney - The Only Gaijin in the Village

In 2016 Scottish writer Iain Maloney and his Japanese wife Minori moved to a village in rural Japan. Told with self-deprecating humour, The Only Gaijin in the Village is his attempt to fit in, be accepted and fulfil his duties as a member of the community, despite being the only foreigner in the village. It gives us a fascinating insight into a side of Japan rarely seen. 

 

Iain is in-conversation with Walter Mason, the Writing Mentor on our Vietnam Writing Retreat, and resident Asia guru! This is bound to be a hugely illuminating and entertaining event!     

 

This is a FREE event. Drinks and nibbles provided.  

This event has been moved to Sunday 23 Feb. 

 

About the Book

In 2016 Scottish writer Iain Maloney and his Japanese wife Minori moved to a village in rural Japan. This is the story of his attempt to fit in, be accepted and fulfil his duties as a member of the community, despite being the only foreigner in the village.  

 

Even after more than a decade living in Japan and learning the language, life in the countryside was a culture shock. Due to increasing numbers of young people moving to the cities in search of work, there are fewer rural residents under the retirement age – and they have two things in abundance: time and curiosity.   

 

Iain’s attempts at amateur farming, basic gardening and DIY are conducted under the watchful eye of his neighbours and wife. But curtain twitching is the least of his problems. The threat of potential missile strikes and earthquakes is nothing compared to the venomous snakes, terrifying centipedes and bees the size of small birds that stalk Iain’s garden.  

 

Told with self-deprecating humour, this memoir gives a fascinating insight into a side of Japan rarely seen and affirms the positive benefits of immigration for the individual and the community. It’s not always easy being the only gaijin in the village.  

 

About the Author

Iain Maloney is a lecturer in Foreign Studies at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Japan. He has degrees in English (Aberdeen) and Creative Writing (Glasgow) and has published three novels. He reviews regularly for a number of publications including the Japan Times.   

 

He moved from Scotland ten years ago as a TEFL teacher and lives in rural Japan with his wife, Minori.