Comment

Jul 08, 2016GLNovak rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
This book came highly recommended, but for me it missed the mark. I did like it, but found the monotone of the narrative jarring. The story covers the horrendous atrocities of the Sino-Japanese War, a suicide, the ostracism of lepers out of the village, the breakup of Stephen's parents, the decades-long hidden love of Matsu and Sachi, and the recovery of Stephen from tuberculosis - a lot to issues that all get a calm gloss thrown over them. It seems that maybe surface and the patina of beauty is everything, and undertones, especially unsavoury ones, must remain covered. There are two gardens that figure in the story. They are not at all comparable in any way except for the salve to the spirit that they provide to those receptive to it. Gentleness, beauty, calm are on every page, and for me became somewhat tedious and unrealistic. I am in the minority on this one so bow to the other reviewers who must be much more perceptive and receptive than I.