Dreaming Water

Hana has Werner's syndrome, which accelerates the aging process in the person who has the disease. Hana is cared for by her loving mother Cate. Hana's father Max died a few years earlier. At the point the book starts, Hana is 38 but has the physical appearance of an 80-year-old woman. The story is told from both Cate and Hana's point of view, including flashbacks of Cate and Max's interracial relationship, her being Italian-American and he being Japanese-American. Somewhat dry story with black-and-white characters with no gray areas, and the story nevery really picks up any steam.

Everyone has to die some day. For most of us, the how and when of it remains unknown. For some, death is sudden and unplanned. For some, a little notice is received. And then there are a few who are faced with the knowledge of their impending departure from this life, and can choose either to live their lives out with dignity and as much joy as possible, or to fight and reject the reality till the bitter end.

Much like 'The Samurai's Garden' by the same author, this was such a beautiful book I didn't want to put it down.

Life can be unfair but we still have a choice in how we go through it. Hana seems like a perfectly normal child, a little small for her age, but happy and healthy like any other. She has a best friend and loves school. show more Her parents and grandparents adore her and she them.

But then she's diagnosed with Werner's disease, a crippling disease which will make her age prematurely. By the time she's in her late 20s, she will resemble an 80 year old woman and be challenged by health issues of one as well.

While her body may be failing her, her mind and spirit remains ebullient. We follow her through the years when the symptoms haven't yet surfaced, and we grieve with her when she quietly comes home on her own, when the first symptom rears its head. Throughout, there is no wailing and gnashing of teeth, but there's plenty of love, acceptance and determination.

While the main story focuses on Hana, there is also a love story that belongs to her parents, Max and Cate. Their history and love provide the foundation, perhaps of Hana's strength. show less

It was interesting to read about Werner's Syndrome, a disease I'd never heard of. The first half of the book moved very slowly, but once the character of Josephine was introduced it became a more compelling read.

This is probably my favorite Tsukiyama book yet. It deals with the topic of Werner's syndrome, a disease that makes (usually Oriental) people age twice as fast as normal.

This story has a mother, widowed by Max, a Japanese American, and their daughter Hana, who is afflicted with the disease. Hana is 38 but looks 80, her organs and arteries are as if they were 80, yet in her head she is still 38 and very self conscious of the physical changes she is ungergoing.

The mother-daughter relationship is endearing, and the disease makes them stronger and more empathetic.(less

A quick and easy read and while it sometimes borders on sappy, the author has succeeded in writing a good book. It is the story of a mother and daughter and the progression of a terrible and rare disease, Werner's Syndrome.

I was expecting to cry while reading this novel. But, it just made me sad. I guess I expected a lot from this because I love the other books of this author that I've read before. Nevertheless, I like it's message to us not to hold on to things so we can easily move forward.

This is one of my favorite works by Gail. Gail's writing is simple yet eloquent. Gail masters interweaving Cate's present day life with Hana, who has Werner's Syndrome, and Cate's own past with Max, her husband. We are taken into Hana's life from two perspective, her own, and that of her mother. This is simply a great read. It is an inspiring novel.