St Martin’s Griffin, New York, ©1994, 211pp.
The year is 1937 and Japan is in the process of invading China. Against this backdrop, a young Chinese man is sent to his family’s beach house in Japan to recuperate from tuberculosis. Here, in this quiet village, he meets four people who will have a significant impact on his life over the next 12 months. The pace of life is slow and relationships take time to develop, but beneath the simplicity of the lifestyle run currents of passion. While forming a friendship with a beautiful young woman, he gradually uncovers the story of the three adults in his life. It is a story of suffering and loss, but also of enduring love and loyalty.
The quixotic nature of the relationships is reflected in the changing seasons and the vagaries of the natural world. There is the tranquility of the mountains and the sea, the forest and the gardens. However we discover how fragile this life can be when threatened by tempest, fire and disease. We also discover the courage of the people as they set about rebuilding their gardens, their homes and their lives after each disaster.
The friendships continue to deepen and grow, but ultimately the young man has to let go and return to China, secure in the knowledge that the hostilities between the two countries will not destroy the bonds that he has formed.
This is a book of contrasts – of shame and honour, tempest and tranquility, defeat and courage, mountains and sea, a national ethos and a personal one. It is sensual. We can see the natural beauty of the landscape and smell the forests, gardens and sea. We sense their tranquility and terror, but we are also invited into the hospitality of the domestic life to sample the food which is a constant symbol of loving care. The tale is simply and beautifully told, as befits its setting, and I found it deeply satisfying.
©Lynne Roberts 2007
