I really did not understand what the author was trying to do with this book. I understand that Gilbert travels to Japan on a whim and decides to follow in the steps of Basho. In Tokyo, he meets a young man following a book on places suitable for suicide. At each spot in their travels, the reality doesn‘t fit the splendor described in the books. No suitable spot for suicide is found. The majesty of Basho‘s Japan no longer exists. Otherwise, 🤷🏻♀️