Sunrise Over Shonan (Paperback)

As an ex-pat in Japan, Mack Corbyn is happy enough. He may live in a 'shit-hole', according to his girlfriend, but it's a cheap 'shit-hole' that's close to the Shonan coast. His English teaching job is enjoyable in parts and tolerable at worst. Part-time work as a wedding celebrant is lucrative and taking photos at the beach as the sun rises keeps him sane. At thirty-one years old, he has friends, a functioning love life and few responsibilities, so why change things? Yet change is unavoidable. Mack's latest girlfriend decides to leave him and Japan for a 'real' life back in the UK, his apartment block is to be demolished and the chain of English school he works for is approaching bankruptcy. But all of this is made trivial by a sudden and tragic loss. Apartments and jobs can be switched. Girlfriends can be replaced. But there's no substitute when a friend dies. Mack has to face some difficult questions. What does he want out of life, really? And what is he willing to do to make it happen? In the midst of helping friends in need, saving a dog in distress and falling for someone he shouldn't, Mack struggles to figure out his place in this unpredictable and ever-changing world. 'Sunrise over Shonan' is a novel of life questions and choices, about growing up and the difficulties at any age and in any country of finding somewhere to call home.