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Steven Caires
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The Joys of Engrish Paperback – Bargain Price, December 29, 2005

by Steve Caires (Author)
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 31 ratings
See all formats and editions
Welcome to the world of Engrish-an alternate- reality version of the English language, which finds its greatest expression in Japanese advertising and product design. Based on the popular website Engrish.com, The Joys of Engrish is a full-color parade of images that highlight the most outrageous and riotous-yet oddly insightful-misuses of English.     
Compiler Steve Caires created Engrish.com, which showcases the finest examples of the art, and has now become one of the most popular entertainment sites on the Web. What started out with a cult following is now a worldwide phenomenon generating Web traffic of five to six million visitors a year (and rising), plus a hugely successful line of merchandise.
 
As an Engrishman himself might say of the book, "Please make sure to enjoy your pleasant with vigor!"
Previous page
  1. Print length
    112 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    TarcherPerigee
  4. Publication date
    December 29, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    6.22 x 0.26 x 4.48 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1585424528
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1585424528
  8. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Skating close to insult by mocking the English used by some Japanese advertisers and product designers, Caires takes care to show fascination, not derision, in his explanation of why he's attracted to Japanese-created English phrases. "Somehow, oddball truths seem to emerge," he writes. "Irony, existentialism, and dark humor appear where only fun-loving phraseology had been intended." As he's done with the Web site Engrish.com, Caires collects an array of examples that emphasize his belief that there is profundity, even if it's accidental, in the way English words are used by Japanese designers. He includes clothing items, like a baby bib with "Nice Lovers" surrounded by cherries, and accessories, such as the purse embossed with "Time resolves nothing." Rather than add commentary to each item, Caires presents only a brief introduction and lets each image "speak" for itself. Usually shot closeup, the photographs are a parade of cute icons, bubbly fonts and non sequiturs like "Bravo!" or "Dust and dreams." The phrases are often amusing, like the pad claiming, "This is the most comfortable notebook you have ever run into," and some do have the existential tint Caires speaks of: "I am always full of appetite," notes a squirrel discussing walnuts. "Then, it is fine." (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Steve Caires, the founder of Engrish.com, became an avid collector of Engrish while living in Japan. His ten years in the country included two stints as an exchange student, both at the prestigious Waseda University and as a Monbusho (Japan Education Ministry) scholar at the University of Hokkaido, where he studied Japanese. END

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TarcherPerigee (December 29, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1585424528
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1585424528
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.84 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.22 x 0.26 x 4.48 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

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Steven Caires

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Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
3.6 out of 5
31 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Anna L. Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars Hillariously funny!
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2009
Verified Purchase
This book gives many examples of the English language as written in other countries. The results are oftentimes hilarious. If you need a good laugh, this is definitely a good way to get one The Joys of Engrish
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Penny Thoughtful
4.0 out of 5 stars Elvis is dead
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
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Funny book to keep on hand for when I want to amuse myself offline.
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Leila Williams
3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
I gave this product a 3 because it's a small book, 4 x 7, and because the Engrish in the content is now so commonplace on the Internet that one doesn't need a book to reiterate what one already can find, for free. Unlike the other series about useless things Japanese make, nothing in this book's content is particularly funny.
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New York, NY
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014
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Hilarious book.
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KayBee
1.0 out of 5 stars The Joys of Engrish review
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2007
Verified Purchase
I was disappointed with the book. It was not at all what I expected. I thought it would have Japanese phrases, and the way they were misinterpreted in English. Instead,it made fun of things that I thought were inappropriate, like Jesus Christ. It poked fun at suicide. I felt it dwelt on negativity. I gave the book to Goodwill after reading a few pages.
2 people found this helpful
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chungking
2.0 out of 5 stars not much for the money
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
I love Engrish.com, but the exampres in this book are hardry the best of the bunch.

More importantry, and as others have pointed out, it's physicary vely small indeed - perhaps a good varue at $2.99, certainry not more than $3.99.

The plice I paid is not a lot of money, but the feeling of having been "taken" is unpreasant. Where I had hoped for gut-busting raughter, this turned out to be a disappointment.
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John L. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars humor occurs
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2006
Engrish, as these malaprops are called, often creates a phrase which trancends mundane English. For example, today's "engrish of the day" at engrish.com which states, "Let's Beer With Music!" makes even me, a non-beer drinker, want to drink beer. Engrish is not the usual pun made with dry humor, such as "There's no accounting for TOAST" which needs a huge set-up to make the word-gag even worth noticing. Engrish is unintentional and random. The existential meanings accidentally 'occur you' when you read them, and when you've had your fill of this book and the UK version (I have both), you can practice your silly Engrish conversation at engrish.com's 'massage board.'

Engrish is a universal phenomenon because book English is complicated and the rules often contradictory. Having been both to Japan and Korea, I first encountered my own Engrish in 1988. Here's my favorite: from a youth t-shirt in Seoul where the graphics show 6 rabbits admiring one, long carrot, "carrot is the one for us--we always happy when carrot is" (worn by Korean Army Corporal Yoo.)

Engrish is catchy and thoughtful. Buy the book: you always happy when Engrish is.
11 people found this helpful
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PenaltyShot
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Happy!
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2006
Long days we are in for workful time much lives with dull actives. It is our wishness that we laugh with pleasant wind and joy. So for fun life, let's Engrish book! Enjoy with light humor.
33 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Matthew Critchlow
4.0 out of 5 stars Small book, big laughs
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
The book is hilarious - but tiny!
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