I have long been recommending this fine novel to readers of all ages and persuasions. Ms. Tsukiyama is half Japanese and half Chinese and brings a unique perspective to this tale of a young Chinese man who is sent to a small village in Japan on the eve of WWII to recover from TB. The only other person in the house is an old gardener whom he calls The Samurai. Through this gardener/mentor he meets a village of lepers and finds a new compassion. There is also a wonderful and poignant love story.
–Bobby Tichenor, Annie Bloom’s Books, Portland, OR
Book clubs take note, too! Find this beloved book at Annie Bloom’s or your local, indie bookstore.