Kim Ainsworth-Darnell, in The Journal of the Association of Teachers of Japanese, wrote that the work "is intended as an introduction for the Western reader to the writing systems of East Asia.
"[3] Nobu Akamatsu of Kochi University stated that the book was intended for "novices from various backgrounds" rather than academics with extensive experience related to East Asia.
[5] Kathryn Allen of the University of Reading wrote that the comparing of the writing systems of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean was the more important aspect than the overview of the languages.
[14] He also criticized the "a sizable number of factual and interpretive errors" and "typographical and grammatical mistakes on almost every other page of the book," as well as a "sophomoric, preachy style and occasionally unidiomatic English".
"[19] Roy Andrew Miller stated that the work uses "an eager, naïve, and doggedly enthusiastic first-person narrative style that at first amuses, but soon thereafter wearies, the reader.
[11] T. H. Barrett, in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, stated that much of the content is not revelatory but "firmly potted", that the book is "a bibliographic equivalent...] of a fast-food outlet" which would be "wholesome" and that "cannot be judged by gourmet standards".
[12] Jane Chu-mei Kuo and Suguru Akutsu, both of American Graduate School of International Management, stated that the work "is invaluable" for its information on "the impact written characters have had on the education systems and literacy in these countries".
[21] Janet S. (Shibamoto) Smith of University of California Davis described the book as "a valiant first attempt" but that "organizational problems, excessive repetition, and more-than-occasional inaccuracies make the work hard to recommend.
"[22] Allen described the book as "a valuable contribution to understanding" Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, and which is "quite readable in its entirety yet could be used as a reference on specific points.