http://thebookwormslibrary.com/?p=441... ( )

Good. Shows relationship between Chinese and Japanese. Talks about Leprosy, family relationships, etc. ( )

Love, hate, fear, loathing, loss and much more are woven through this delightful novel. Gail Tsukiyama has captured so many feelings in her story of a young Chinese student recovering at his grandfather's summer home in Japan in the years leading up to WWII during the Japanese invasion of China. Coming from a mixed Japanese/Chinese family, she has been able to touch the feelings of both the Japanese majority in the story as well as the Chinese main character. I highly recommend this book. ( )

This is an interesting, pensive little novel taking place in a Japanese seaside village over a year, through dairy entries by Stephen, a young Chinese man recouperating from tuberculosis during WWII. Back in China, the Japanese "devils" are dominating his homeland, yet Stephen befriends the quiet Japanese villagers, including his wealthy family's home caretaker, and slowly becomes a part of their lives (and vice versa). People who should be enemies because of the war become close friends. He learns about the outbreak of leprosy in the area, various forms of gardening and how illusive the creative spark can be (he is a painter). This is really quite a beautiful novel and the reader floats along as if by the sea where it is situated. However, it does get slow in spots, especially near the end, as the stories of the villagers unfold. But the characters, the time and the beauty of the area, the flowers, food and education, quickly won me over and kept me until the end. Highly recommended, but not for those looking for action and adventure. ( )