The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An absolutely beautifully written story set in the late 1930's Japan, right before WWII. Stephen is a young Chinese artist with tuberculosis who is sent to the family's vacation home in Japan to recuperate for more than a year. There he is cared for by the housekeeper and gardener, Matsu. This is a character-driven story which unfolds slowly. We gradually get to know Stephen, Matsu, and Sachi, Matsu's life-long friend who has leprosy and lives in a neighboring village. Stephen is away from his family, and the pace of life is so different from what he is used to. We learn about the Japanese food, tea ceremony, gardens, village celebrations, traditions, and way of life. This book immediately immersed me in a wonderful world and culture, and was a welcome escape from reality. Very highly recommended, and probably one of the best books that I will read this year. The book cover pictured here is SO much better than the one on the paperback copy I read.
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
View all my reviews
