Book #44 week #35, A Hundred Flowers by Gail Tsukiyama

After reading The Street of a Thousand Blossoms and The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama I am hooked! So naturally I had to pick up her latest book A Hundred Flowers.

This novel is set in 1957 China under the rule of Chairman Mao. Tensions are rising as the people are not happy with their new life under the rule of a communist party. Chairman Mao has decided to open the government up to criticism and suggestions from the people, many intellectuals fear this is a trick aimed at locating any resistors to the new government power. 

In walk our new characters. There is Kai Ying (a herbalist), her husband Sheng (a teacher) and their six-year-old son, Tao. The family lives with Sheng's father, Wei, a retired college professor. Although Sheng has promised Kai Ying he will not do anything to harm his family a letter is written to Chairman Mao criticizing the communist party. Sheng is then arrested and sent to be "reeducated" for an indefinite period of time. 

A Hundred Flowers follows the journey of this torn family trying to survive after the head male of the household is suddenly ripped away from them. Kai Ying must focus on her work and patients in order to keep money flowing in. Wei is struggling with a heavy secret that is tearing him apart. Tao is trying to find a way to connect with his absent father. Once again Gail Tsukiyama has shown her knack for making a scene come alive. She has such a great way with words. Although I did enjoy this novel it is my least favorite of the three books I have read by Tsukiyama. Good story but easy to put down and pick up again at a later time.

Quote:

“Wei cleared his throat and said, “Have you heard the saying `The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher’? It seems I’ve been the pitcher most of my life. I’ve forgotten how to be fluid. It feels as if I’m finally learning now,” he said.”

Book #42 week #33, The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama

While waiting for a copy of Gail Tsukiyama's new book A Hundred Flowers to become available at the library I decided to have a copy of the original book of hers that was recommended to me; The Samurai's Garden. I couldn't find it at that time so I read The Street of a Thousand Blossoms instead, which I loved but it was very, very sad.

The Samurai's Garden takes place in the same time period the 1930's. However instead of being solely about Japan, our main character is actually from China. Twenty-year-old Stephen is sick with tuberculosis and the hot, humid air of Hong Kong is proving to be unhelpful for his condition. His father is a successful business man who spends most of his time in Japan. With heavy hearts Stephen's family decides to sent him to the family summer home in a quaint coastal Japanese village. This would not have been such a big deal if Japan was not currently invading China. 

While in Japan Stephen is cared for by Matsu, the long time caretaker of the summer home. Matsu is an older man who spends his days working in his beautiful garden and visiting his long time friend in a nearby mountaintop village, a woman affected by leprosy. During his year long stay not only does Stephen begin to feel better but he also gets close to and learns the secrets of the mysterious people around him. Suddenly Stephen finds himself filling a void he didn't know even existed and he is heart brokenly torn between the two worlds that he has grown to love. 

Although not as sad as The Street of a Thousand Blossoms, this book has its share of tragedy and heartache. The characters are amazing; full of surprises, depth, beauty and love. Where others might have given up these characters look for the beauty and purpose in all situations. I honesty did not want this book to end. I think Gail Tsukiyama has made a lifelong fan out of me and here is to hoping the next book is as great as the ones I have read so far.

Quote:
“It is not an act of bravery to try to save your own village. It is an instinct to protect what you possess. Bravery is when you step in to help when you have nothing to lose.”

Book #6 Week #6, The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama

This week's book was The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama. I was at the library recently (big surprise there huh!) and was looking for another book by Gail Tsukiyama that I've heard good things about but the library did not have it. I spotted this one on the shelf though and decided to take it home instead without even knowing what it was about or reading the summary. Can't say I was surprised to find the story takes place during World War II, ever since reading The Bronze Horseman I have found myself unconsciously surrounded by anything World War II related.

This tale focuses on two brothers, Hiroshi and Kenji, orphaned and being raised by their maternal grandparents. Their young lives are filled with much love and hope as Hiroshi aspires to be a great sumo wrestler and Kenji discovers himself and his path in the world. By the end we get to see two little boys grow into men.

But Hiroshi and Kenji are not the only important characters here. The author does a wonderful job at switching between characters throughout the book. There are the grandparents, Fumiko and Yoshio, the master of the sumo stable Tanaka-oyakata and his daughters Haru and Aki, and Kenji's sensei Akira Yoshiwara. At first I worried all these different branches, splitting off the story between so many characters wouldn't work and something would be lost along the way, but it worked and it worked beautifully.

I found this story riveting. Two boys growing up in a ancient culture that is unexpectedly rocked by a modern war. Now they must find a way to make it in a changing world and hold on to the past at the same time. By the time I finished this book I was bawling my eyes out but I want more! Truthfully I think the ending place of this tale was a good one but I still really want to know what happened after the fact. I don't know much about Gail Tsukiyama writing so I will be researching her and seeing if she ever picked up Hiroshi and Kenji's story again but I won't hold my breath.

My favorite quote: "To be noble,. . .was to account for the life you lived, to always account for your mistakes, and to have dignity and worth."