Book: The Samurai’s Garden
Author: Gail Tsukiyama
Personal Rating: 4/5
This is the 2nd time I read The Samurai’s Garden. I read this book way back in February 2017.
I’m a sucker for historical fiction and The Samurai’s Garden has a different take on what happen during the 1930s when the Japanese invaded China, especially the Nanking Massacre. The story takes place far away from war yet the consequences of war are still apparent.
“You must cut away something in order to make it grow back stronger” – Matsu
View this post on Instagram
As the tale has progressed, so have my insights on life thanks to Stephen.
* It’s possible that all you need to get well is some peace, calm and quiet, rather than medicine.
* Do not take any rash actions since you may come to deeply regret them.
* There are certain things in life that you cannot change, but you can always accept.
* The outer beauty is just a reflection of the inner beauty.
* Acceptance is the cure to easily forgive yourself.
* Things always change.
“Even if you walk the same road a hundred times, you’ll find something different each time”. – Stephen
Matsu exemplifies the ideal samurai. He is the kind of person who is always willing to lend a hand, has a strong sense of honor, speaks little but wisely when he does, is a master of his craft of gardening, and is full of courage.
“Anything too beautiful, it becomes hard to recreate its reality. There’s something about being too perfect, that evenness which at times appears stiff, almost boring”. – Stephen
This book also tells tales of leprosy in Japan during this era. Unlike in the Sweet Bean Paste book, there is no safe place like the sanitarium where leppers can live. Here, most people take their life to keep their family’s honor. The once brave enough to live has stayed in the outskirt mountain area called Yamaguchi.
This time around, the book’s war content really touches home and stirs up strong emotions (well most historical fiction does). War is unavoidable; the only question is when. If only we could all be ready ahead of time, given the present global tensions, I just wish that we are all prepared before it happens.
Have you read the book? I love to hear what you think!
Read More of my Book Reviews Here
More of my book musings and flexing
https://www.instagram.com/geemizbooks/
Let Us Connect:
I’m on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and LinkedIn