The Samurai's Garden: A Novel

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  I always want to like this book more than I do. I love the story and the wonderful mirroring, some overt (Matsu as a father-figure for Stephen when his own father fails him) and less so (TB and leprosy share the same genus). However, I often find Stephen infuriating both in his arrogance that he doesn't have the maturity to acknowledge (the whole idea that Matsu has a family is a sort of revelation for Stephen after he has lived with Matsu for a year and Stephen's disdain for the summer vac... (show more)

  I always want to like this book more than I do. I love the story and the wonderful mirroring, some overt (Matsu as a father-figure for Stephen when his own father fails him) and less so (TB and leprosy share the same genus). However, I often find Stephen infuriating both in his arrogance that he doesn't have the maturity to acknowledge (the whole idea that Matsu has a family is a sort of revelation for Stephen after he has lived with Matsu for a year and Stephen's disdain for the summer vacationers when in the past Stephen himself was a vacationer) and in his failed artistry (if his paintings are anything like his dairy entries, whooo-boy). I struggle: is this annoyance intentional--did Tsukiyama want me to be frustrated with his immaturity and lack of reflection, for he is just a teenaged boy. Or is it unintentional--did Tsukiyama not see this in him? I don't know. But I find the final section to redeem the whole of the book as we see Stephen finally seeing his small part in a larger world, when this whole book he has lacked the maturity to do so. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Jul 19, 2009 at 03:10AM

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  Such a simple synopsis and yet it tells the whole story. It's the details behind the "four locals" that creates multiple tales of unrequited love, repression and prejudice. The writing style was not the most engaging. It was the intertwined tales that kept you reading. One reader described the style as like the sand that was continuously referenced in the story. Sand evokes wonderful feelings from the beach and a zen garden. It can be comfortable, warm and beautiful. However,... (show more)

  Such a simple synopsis and yet it tells the whole story. It's the details behind the "four locals" that creates multiple tales of unrequited love, repression and prejudice. The writing style was not the most engaging. It was the intertwined tales that kept you reading. One reader described the style as like the sand that was continuously referenced in the story. Sand evokes wonderful feelings from the beach and a zen garden. It can be comfortable, warm and beautiful. However, sand is ever changing and it can be gritty and harsh. This book is very much like sand. In addition to the leper ex-lover and the philandering father is the background Japan's invasion of China and all of the propaganda and newfound distrust. Lots of beauty and grace amidst ugliness and pain.
  Women :-| Women played multiple roles in the stories.
  Short :-) The stories are so intertwined that you almost have to readjust you rr
  Atlanta :-(
  Depth :-) The lingering stories keep you interested even with a less than engaging style.
  Recommend :-) Yes.
  Bookshelf :-) (show less)

   

   

  by Shawn Dooley Neumeister on Mar 28, 2009 at 06:08PM

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