Book Discussion: The Samurai’s Garden

Book Discussion: The Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama

Set in the late 1930s during the Second Sino-Japanese war, a young Chinese man retreats to a serene coastal village in Japan to recover from tuberculosis. While healing, Stephen is cared for by a steward named Matsu whose story of loss and love intrigues Stephen. The two bond over the tranquil art of gardening. Through Matsu, Stephen meets Sachi, a beautiful woman who lives in a nearby village and suffers from leprosy which has left her scarred and lonely. She finds solace in her relationship with both Matsu and eventually Stephen. As their pasts are revealed, Stephen reflects on his own life and family and leaves the village with a renewed hope in the strength of the human spirit.