The Samurai's Garden

I really loved this book and gave it to two friends. It is a coming of age story of a young man who is sent to a village to recover his health. There he meets two friends who teach him what is important about friendship and love. Touching story, well written

Although set through the turbulent times of the Japanese/China conflict this story is a gentle read about a small town and its relationship with a leper colony set high in the hills behind it. I enjoyed the descriptions of the two gardens, the flowerfull one in the town and the contemplative stone one in the hills. It is also a story of a young, ill man becoming aware of the reality behind the fascade of his parents marriage.Tranquility is a difficult emotion to achieve especially in times of war and the author achieved this gracefully.I would have liked to have been given a bit more understanding about the background of the conflict between China and Japan at that time, so that I could better understand the contrast between what was happening in the outer world and the peaceful inner world.An excellent and thoughtful read

"The Samurai's Garden" is a novel that came highly recommended to me by my sister. I had no idea what to expect as she never gave me any hint about the book's content. At times, it can difficult to find the most appropriate words to describe how a novel has impacted the reader. This is one such novel.I am neither familiar with Japanese nor Chinese culture, therefore, I was intrigued to learn more about both. Author Gail Tsukiyama has definitely been exposed to both cultures as the daughter of a Chinese mother and a Japanese father. This thought-povoking fictional novel is a lovely introduction to both these worlds in the late 1930's at the onset of World War II. The main character is Stephen, a young Chinese man who, at twenty years old, discovers he has contracted tuberculosis. Due to his ill health, he is sent by his parents to his deceased grandfather's beach house in Tamuri, Japan in order to recuperate. Although he has visited here before at a much younger age, he soon discovers the quiet and stoic personality of Matsu, the gardener who has taken care of the beach house all these years. Stephen is soon to be embraced into Matsu's life as he learns about Sachi, who lives in the leper village of Yamaguchi up the mountain not far from Tarumi.The enchanting and calming pace of "The Samurai's Garden" takes the reader on the most incredible journey as the story of Sachi and Matsu unfolds. The strength of character, devotion, loyalty, and love are enough to take your breath away. Their story is as beautiful as the Samurai's garden and the peace, beauty, and serenity found there.This is a story so eloquently told...it is sure to touch those with a sensitve and sentimental heart in such a way that its affect will not soon be forgotten. I know that Stephen, Matsu, and Sachi have touched my heart in the most memorable way possible and I enjoyed every moment of my time with them. I thank this gifted author for sharing her talent with me, so that I could also share in the wisdom of all three.Author Dolores Ayotte

This book was outside my usual genre of reading. I lean toward Christian suspense or non-fiction. I like a plot with good character interaction. But I enjoyed this book very much. I felt pulled into the lives of the 3 main characters. There were so many themes such as death, grief, loss, changes, learning to see our parents from an adult perspective, letting go, cultural differences, leprosy, …. I found myself occasionally closing my eyes and just feeling, thinking, and longing. A young Chinese man living in a Japanese village is discovering much about himself and the reader is invited to explore their own thoughts, prejudices, experiences right along with him,

This is such a great book. The title gives one of the most important themes away: the importance of tending to our own garden, especially when times are at their worst. All the characters are memorable and in their own ways relatable if not lovable. Also, a fascinating glimpse into Sino-Japanese relations around the time of WWII. Great examples of how fearless kindness is an admirable trait. A hard book to put down, beautifully written and impossible to forget. Buy it.

I read this novel a couple of summers ago and chose it for use in my English IV class. As I am sure others have written, the story concerns Stephen, a 20-year-old Chinese man who spends over a year in Tarumi, Japan, at the family beach house while he recovers from tuberculosis and learns a great deal about beauty, honor and loyalty. My students and I liked that the novel has a historical setting, Japan and China during Japan's 1930s march across China, because we had little knowledge of it. My science-oriented students were interested in the leprosy aspect, which gave us opportunities to research the disease. And who can resist the unfolding love stories of Sachi and Matsu, Stephen and Kieko and the secrets of the past.? Beautifully written.

Ich lese eigentlich wenig Romane aber dieses Buch hat mich von Anfang an hingerissen. Sehr angenehm zu lesende Sprache und die Charaktere sind allesamt ausgezeichnet. Ich würds jedem empfehlen der nach dem Lesen der Beschreibung denkt er wäre interessiert.

Before I give my book review of this powerful book, I would like to make the comparison to many of the Pearl S. Buck books which I have read. Gail Tsukiyama intimately knows the lands of which she writes as did Buck. She also understands the people of Asia. I don't know if Ms Tsukiyama has ever lived in Hong Kong or China or Japan, but if not, she certainly did her due diligence.Now on to the story itself. The protagonist is a young man who is recovering from tuberculosis in Hong Kong, where he lives with his parents and his siblings. It is September, 1937 and Japan is about to invade China. The young man, Stephen, who is Japanese on his father's side, and Chinese on his mother's but has been brought up with a western education. His passion is painting but all this comes to a stop as he fights to regain his health. His parents decide that he should move to the seaside town of Tarumi, Japan where his grandfather owned a beach house, but it was little used by the family and a sole caretaker and groundskeeper, was usually the only inhabitant. Stephen took the train to Kobe, Japan where he met up with his father, a wealthy businessman, who worked out of an office there and rarely visited his home in Hong Kong, which was under British rule at that time. Once he arrives at the beach house, he is taken under the wing of Matsu, who has cared for the beach house for thirty years. Matsu does the cooking, cleaning and gardening and everything else necessary to run the household including bringing Stephen back to good health. Stephen stays there virtually alone except for Matsu for about a year and during that time, he learns more than he could possibly be taught at any university about life and the way to live it.I just loved this book. It is an excellent piece of literature, with precise writing, and characters who will break your heart on the one hand and make you smile on the other. I can't say enough great things about this book. I loved it and recommend it highly. And if you were a fan of Pearl S. Buck you may believe that this author is her reincarnation.

I absolutely loved the story. I felt like it was a slow song that wound it's way around my heart. It is just and ordinary story of four characters written in a way that make it extra ordinary. The last time a book touched me like this when I read A thousand splendid suns by Khalid Hosseini. In today's world of so much hate and war, fueled by racism and prejudice this books gives us an essence of humanity and teaches us that humanity is far above petty wars, traditional definitions of beauty and shows us a true meaning of love, relationships and friendship.

I enjoyed this book which made me feel like I was in Japan with all it's beauty and hospitality, even during dramatic events like leprosy, typhoons and death. The characters were developed so well that I felt a kinship with each and deep respect for their survival and coping mechanisms. I recommend this book.

Una gran libro de lectura muy agradable. Muy recomendable para alumnos de comienzan a estudiar el nivel B2. Formato estupendo!!!