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. ( )

This was a wonderful story of a young man who went to his family's beach home in Japan to recover from TB. He is surrounded by simplicity and beauty and the tail is full of love and affection for his caregiver, his new friends and being in a quiet place filled with beauty from the cottage garden to the beach and the soft aromas of the flowers and weather. Although he is challenged with sickness and family problems and the war he is softened by his simple surroundings and the affection of his friends. ( )

The Samurai's Garden is among my favorite novels. The images and tone and quiet but profound relationships between the characters continue to stay present with me. Gail Tsukiyama is a master at communicating subtleties in human relationships by showing, not telling. ( )

Absolutely loved this book, its simplicity, the characters, the message of the garden. ( )

American writer Gail Tsukiyama is the daughter o f a Japanese father and a Chinese mother. The main character of this novel, highschool student Stephen, has a similar background. Around the time of WW II he leaves Shanghai for a stay by the lonely Japanese seaside, hoping to regain his health. In the end he gains much more than that. This is a lovely, delicate and sensitive story, not to be read in one sitting, but one to be savoured and quietly reflected upon. ( )

This is one of my all time favorite books. It is about a man who was diagnosed with tuberculosis and sent to a seaside home to recover. While there, he gets to know the gardener. On the surface, the gardener seems to be a quiet and unassuming man. However, later in the story, the reader learns that the gardener is really a heroic and courageous person. The book describes in a very realistic and touching way the realationship between the gardener and a woman who lives in a leper colony. One really comes to understand the true meaning of the words "true beauty lies within". Highly reccommended.

This book is set in Pre WWII in Japan and told from the journal of a Chinese college student that is sent to recouperate from TB at the family summer home in a vacation beach resport in Japan. This is during the time that the Japanese are invading and taking over China. The young man, Stephen, learns about life from the caretaker of the vacation home and other villagers. It gave you a strong sense of the times and cultural customs of both rural Japan and contrasted to Stephen's life as the sone of a wealthy Chinese businessman in Hong Kong. ( )

There was a good story line and the book left me rested (it's not boring! , It was a very balanced book and pleasing). This book made me ponder about what is really important in life. ( )

This was the first book I read by Gail Tsukiyama. It was recommended by bookstore staff so I thought I would give it a try. I have read everyone of her other books since and would highly recommend them all. It is a story of friendship between a young Chinese aristocrat and a gardener at his family's summer home which takes place during the Japanese invasion of China. The young man learns much from this simple man and we are given a history lesson as to the invasion's effect on the Chinese population. A good read! ( )

I read this book several years ago and it has stayed in my mind ever since. The story begins shortly before World War 2 with a Chinese man who is sent to recover from tuberculosis at his family's summer home in Japan.There he meets a beautiful Japanese girl and three other characters, and the tale that unfolds is so captivating and heartfelt that I was swept along with it. At one point I actually gasped out loud with sorrow, at others I smiled with delight. My teenage daughter and her friends all also enjoyed this book and her Japanese teacher added it to her reading list of recommendations for the students. This is an enchanting book that I will keep forever on my bookshelves. ( )

Fiction, A good story with well written characters. Their lives, beliefs, ethics and friendships are on the surface what seems to be simple. As the reader shares their worlds these characters prove to be courageous, caring people. ( )

A delightful story of a chinese teen, sent to japan on the eve of WW2 to recuperate after getting tuberculosis. He meets his father's servant who he gets to know and the locals, finding them friendly and welcoming even with the war. He finds the simple way of life, instead of being boring, fills his days and he is bereft when the war forces him to leave.

A wonderful piece of prose, this haunting story of the simple people and their tragic lives is a page turner.

Japan during the 1938 invasion of China. ( )

Slow, beautiful and unusual story of a young Chinese man recovering from illness in a tiny remote town in Japan near to a leper's colony. As the Japanese army moves closer to his Hong Kong home, the boy finds a sense of relationship and belonging within the enemy's land. A book to be savored. ( )

A little slow to start, but what a rewarding read. Rich full characters and wonderful sense of a time and culture. ( )

This novel started a little slow for me as I found the narration awkward. Once I got used to it I really got involved in the story.

The story revolves around a Chinese boy visiting his father's beach house in Japan during the Japanese invasion of China. He meets other characters who teach him the true way to live his life with honor and that an outsider can always find a place to fit in.

I found the history and differences between the chinese and japanese cultures very interesting. ( )

On the surface, this is a beatiful love story. Deeper, the relationship of Japanese and Chinese character's in the book during the Japanese invasion of China - examine's a human and individual side of conflict. The author is half Japanese and Chinese - is this her examination of her history? ( )

A really subtle and sweet story in which the settings became characters themselves. I liked the ideas about our conflicting attachments to different places and the sadness we feel about leaving and moving from a place that has been an important factor in our lives. ( )

A good love story. ( )

Seventeen-year-old Stephen leaves his home in Hong Kong just as the Japanese are poised to invade China before World War II. He is sent to his family's summer home in Japan in order to recuperate from tuberculosis. He meets Matsu, the house's caretaker and his friend Sachi. Stephen's friendships with Matsu and Sachi give him wisdom as he learns about love, honor, and loss. I was particularly interested in Sachi's story, which was deeply moving. Sachi lives in a mountain village leper colony - this was fascinating after recently reading The Island, which dealt with a similar subject. Although the story's main character is Stephen, I felt more interest in Sachi and her life. The love triangle between Matsu, Sachi and Kenzo is an extremely complicated one, and is handled beautifully. This definitely made me want to read more of Tsukiyama's works. ( )

very gentle, introspective, comforting book ( )