‘’Look beyond and there is a gentle rise, streets populated with lines of houses, a repeating tessellation of London brick. On a good day, with the sun slanting on them from a certain angle, I can see in them - I admit it takes a small leap of the imagination - the contours of a Tuscan hillside town, a configuration of straight lines and angles and light and shade and warmth that does pleasing things to the brain.’’

Let Lev Parikian guide you to the unique vibe of London through the seasons dictated by Japanese culture. Let the heavenly beauty of daffodils, peonies, cherry blossoms, and lilies fill your soul with magic. Let woodpeckers, swallows, foxes, crows accompany you. Witness the miracle of the rainbow, the mystery of the mist, the comfort of the spring rain, the arrival of autumn, the cosy atmosphere of winter. Tread the path on which St Swithun and the gods of wind in Japanese mythology meet.

London becomes poetry in Lev Parikian’s book. He narrates the moment he saw a cormorant flying over a cemetery and the reader just stares in awe. The cemetery reflects our society. It becomes the microcosm that should be observed, understood, cherished. And protected.

‘’I do this occasionally, looking at something as if for the first time. It’s a way of finding beauty and interest in the mundane, learning to appreciate the things that form the backdrop to everyday life. And if it serves as a reminder of the fragility of all life on earth, including ours, than that’s no bad thing.’’

Many thanks to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ ( )