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Title: The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd ISBN: 0-06-095967-3 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.07 (15 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Spellbound
Comment: This very fascinating book is a story written in the form of numerous letters and personal diary entries made by the principle character of the book. It chronicals the life of a young Scottish woman forced to live first in China then Japan. Well written and historically accurate, it's obvious the author is intimately familiar with the the culture, customs, history and life style of Japan. This makes the book that much more interesting and fascinating for those who enjoy realism and demand accuracy in a story. For all who've ever lived in Japan, it's a believable tale that literally makes you feel you've stepped back in a time machine to witness the birth of modern Japan. For those who haven't lived in Japan, believe that the author has done his homework and is not simply just creating a fictional setting in his mind. Because of this, he's able to focus on his character versus scene/setting development and thus creates a living breathing person in your mind. The timespan covers over 40 years as the story weaves through her trials and tribulations, and shows how her fortitude and strength serve her through tumultuous events in her life. A gripping tale that draws on your emotions and has you constantly rooting for her. When the last page is read it leaves you wishing the story would continue, but even good books must end. Be prepared to sit a spell. Once you start reading you'll find it hard to put down.
Rating: 5
Summary: A hauntingly beautiful book that stays with you
Comment: The Ginger Tree is one of those books I will read periodically throughout life. It is the story of a young woman who gives up all security in a world not very tolerant of those who choose their own path. Everyone who has ever experienced a burning, passionate, unattainable love will feel akin to Mary McKenzie. Those who have lost things most precious will sympathize greatly. Mary is a real human being, one to be greatly admired for her accomplishments against great odds, as well as for those things not accomplished.
Rating: 5
Summary: A tragic tale of a woman beautifully written...
Comment: The story's ending fascinated me. Until towards the end of the story, Mary Mackenzie had maintained her strength rather well. She forced herself onward solely because she believed someday she would find her child again. The time Mary lived was pre and during the WW II Japan, one of the darkest, most violent periods in the country's history, and in the human history as well. Count Kurihama was a married military officer, Mary's lover, and the father of her only child. He was a pre-War man who was brought up to believe that women need to be led, protected, and managed. He conducted himself accordingly to what he learned growing up and as a result he hurt Mary terribly by removing her baby from her without consulting her at all. Though having considered the circumstances and the time they lived in, it was as a matter fact the best decision for the child, sadly enough. Kurihama risked his relationship with Mary and almost lost her as a result. In the pre-war Japan, a marriage was arranged between two families from the same or similar social background. Kurihama coming from the upper class family most likely had to marry a girl whom his parents had arranged for him in advance. So, when he met Mary Mackenzie in China and fell in love, it was perhaps a fresh and startling experience for him, despite of his age at the time. And losing her would most certainly hurt him and he did not wish to lose her. But Mary pushed him away when she realized what he had done to her and their baby. Kurihama patiently waited for her and hoped someday she would understand why he did so. Even after many years had passed and Kurihama's wife died, Mary kept the emotional distance with Kurihama and refused his proposal in marriage because he could no longer return their son to her. However, they stayed together all these years; their relationship was based on mutual respect, patience, and trust. They were not only lovers but also grown to become soul mates. Mary learned in time what kind of a person Kurihama really was and realized nothing he had done was malicious or selfish but it was rather out of love for her and their child. A child growing up as a bastard and furthermore being a Eurasian in Japan at the time would certainly cause the child enormous pain and damage due to discrimination. Kurihama wanted to protect his child by providing him a proper status in the society and a stable, loving environment which his trusted, wealthy friend could provide for his child. Kurihama was sure that since his friend and the wife were desperate to have a baby boy for many years, adapting Kurihama's baby son, they would not only take good care of the child but also love him like their own. And Kurihama was sure that Mary just having her first child would not and could not accept his idea for the child. 'On the way back to Europe, being forced out of Japan by the military government, Mary meant it when she told Kurihama that she would return 'home' to Japan as soon as the war was over. She did not want to leave Japan where her only child lived. But all this was changed when she finally met her son, a handsome military officer. The son was all grown up in the Japanese Imperial Army uniform. Towards the end of their meeting, Mary realized this meeting would not be repeated ever again. Her son was chosen to become a Kamikaze pilot'I do not know whether Mary knew what that meant'a suicide mission and there was no way of escaping such a fate for a young man of that period' This ending broke my heart and I could almost feel Mary's pain as a parent who had to let go of the child again only to fight in the war, after all these years of searching for him... Oswald Wynd's story of Japan, its culture, and the people was well studied. It is sometimes even difficult for one to imagine how it was like back then to live in Japan or Europe for that matter. This book tells you in the most sensitive way how people had to live and think about life.
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Title: The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey ISBN: 0380815591 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 06 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Wedding Dress by Virginia Ellis ISBN: 0345462378 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics by Philip R. Reilly ISBN: 0879696494 Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress : A Novel by Dai Sijie ISBN: 0385722206 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 29 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $10.00 |
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Title: So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson ISBN: 0399150838 Publisher: Putnam Pub Group Pub. Date: 09 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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