The Fourth Treasure

Rating:
Summary: An unusual book
Review: The Fourth Treasure is a novel with strong elements of Japanese writing and neuroscience. If you are interested in either, or both, you should read it. However, unfortunately, while the storyline is interesting, the book has serious flaws in characterization. Most of the characters don't really come alive - they are flat.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful!
Review: This elegantly illustrated and beautifully written book is one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves to be lost in a good story, strong characters and an unforgettable read. Although the book was just released, I cannot wait to read another by this author! You'll love it.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful and disturbing look into the mind.
Review: Todd Shimoda does it again in his second novel. Like his first book, 365 View of Mt. Fuji, this novel easily segues between the 17th and the 21st centuries. 4th Treasure is so interesting because it is a mystery and a love story, a treatise of the workings of the brain and a step into the unknown mysteries of the mind, a study of both living in the past and denying ones roots. The characters are vivid and believable. Many of the characters lead tragic lives, but this tragedy is intermixed with some really funny plot twists. Without spoiling the story, I loved the way Shimoda tied things up at the end without making a very pretty package. Finally, the beautiful calligraphy created by, L J C Shimoda is stunning. It is especially notable since much of it represents the twisted and confused thoughts of the Sensei after his stroke and so is not traditional calligraphy at that point. The book is beautiful to look at and a compelling read.