64 pages • 2 hours read
Gail TsukiyamaThe Samurai's Garden
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Summary
Autumn: September 15, 1937-Autumn: September 29, 1937
Autumn: October 5, 1937-Autumn: October 29, 1937
Autumn: October 30, 1937-Autumn: November 30, 1937
Autumn: December 1, 1937-Winter: December 7, 1937
Winter: December 21, 1937-Winter: February 4, 1938
Winter: February 5, 1938- Winter: March 14, 1938
Spring: March 28, 1938-Spring: May 30, 1938
Summer: June 6, 1938-Summer: July 5, 1938
Summer: July 9, 1938-Summer: August 16, 1938
Summer: August 17, 1938-Autumn: September 23, 1938
Autumn: September 28, 1938-Autumn: October 19
Autumn: October 20, 1938-Autumn: October 26, 1938
Autumn: October 27, 1938-Autumn: October 29, 1938
Character Analysis
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Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Samurai's Garden tells the story of 20-year-old Stephen Chan, who leaves school in Canton to recuperate from an illness at his family’s beach house in Tarumi, Japan, during the early days of the Second Sino-Japanese War. He forms profound connections with Matsu, the house’s caretaker, and Sachi, who lives with leprosy. Stephen navigates themes of love, commitment, and self-discovery amid the complexities of the lives around him. This novel includes suicide and leprosy.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama captivates readers with its beautiful prose and serene setting, offering a poignant tale of love, loss, and healing. Critics laud its delicate exploration of human resilience and the subtle interplay of cultural themes. However, some readers find its pacing slow and wish for deeper character development. Overall, it's a graceful and reflective read.
Who Should Read The Samurai's Garden?
Readers who enjoy Gail Tsukiyama’s The Samurai’s Garden are likely drawn to serene, introspective narratives rich with historical settings and deep character exploration. Fans of Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden or The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng will appreciate the contemplative prose and cultural depth.