The Samurai's Garden : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Moving
Review: This book may be one of the best books I have ever read. In fact, I only disliked one paragraph in which Stephen, the young man in which the book is focused on, dreams about impure contact with his beautiful lady friend. I found that section entirely inappropriate, but for the rest of it, it was moving, looking at suicide, honor and a beauty unable to be found just skin deep. I loved it. I can't wait to read another book of this author.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book
Review: Very good book very interesting even to a kid my age it seems to have made me feel as if I was Stephen traped in a world where i could not find where my loyalty stands

Rating:
Summary: A Fulfilling Read
Review: Having lived in Japan for four years, I was able to mentally visit the authors scenes. The writing was exceptionally well-paced -- languid during appropriate scenes, faster when necessary. Except for a few storyline flaws and some cultural issues -- Japanese of the era did not kiss publicly and most still don't today -- I found this to be a book to recommend to others. Congratulations Ms. Tsukiyama on a warm and wonderful novel.

Rating:
Summary: A 20-yr-old guy who went to Japan during the Japan-China war
Review: This is a pretty good book, Tsukiyama uses a lot of simple words to describe the whole story. She desribes everything neatly and carefully. This is a very good book for some English as a Second Language people.

Rating:
Summary: She skillfully paints a visual portrait of time and place
Review: Although the book is set in a rural Japanese village during the late 1930's, it still paints a portrait of Japan as it exists today in many rural areas. I was able to feel the places she writes about, to smell the sea, to taste the food, to feel the soft wood as I took a hot bath in the outside garden. It is a poignant, beautifully written story about strength in the face of adversity and an enduring love. I would recommend it to anyone as a book to remember always.

Rating:
Summary: this story was touching
Review: it gives me a whole image of the story. I can feel the characters feeling. it's so cool, I hope the author write ... another one to continue part one.

Rating:
Summary: Satisfying
Review: I enjoyed this book because it is well paced, and the plot and characters develop with sufficient intrigue to make you keep reading. I enjoy cross-cultural settings so that was a very strong plus for me in this work. The backdrop of war and leprosy provide ample scope for some quite emotive and poignant moments, and I found myself provoked into reflection from time to time. I thought that the father and Keiko could have had stronger character development in order to create more tension in the outcome. The style was not sophisticated, but very effective. Satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: A book to be savored
Review: This book was loaned to me by a friend and it was my first experience with Gail Tsukiyama. I did not want The Samurai's Garden to end, and I have ordered my second book by the author from Amazon.

Rating:
Summary: ...a marvelous read; one we will keep in our hearts
Review: This book is haunting in a wondefully emotional way. It leaves your heart full.

Rating:
Summary: An exquisite novel of the rejuvenating power of love.
Review: She has a rare gift. The ability to create characters, situations and dialogue that crackle with life. The ability to frame a whole novel as a zen garden so that it unfolds slowly, revealing its awesome power and beauty with each page you turn. She creates a novel of such powerful and understated love that it takes your breath away.