English House

William Hassett 2 stories

Story Notes

Summary

English House is a bittersweet, humorous, and often poignant story set in late-1980s Japan. A handful of young foreign teachers – each with their own quirks, pasts, and reasons for being there – arrive in the provincial city of Utsunomiya to teach English. The novel follows their misadventures: navigating culture shock, precarious jobs, summer heat, and nightlife, while forging unlikely friendships with each other and with the Japanese colleagues who keep the school running. At its heart, it’s a story about growing up in a foreign land — about camaraderie, mistakes, small triumphs, and the bonds that survive long after the classrooms and bars have closed. Blending wry humour with moments of warmth and humanity, English House captures the spirit of a generation of wanderers who came to Japan in search of something — adventure, escape, or perhaps a different self.