This first edtion is near fine, no marks, pages are tight and appear unread, the book is tight, square, and unmarked. Dust cover is unmarked, yellow cloth boards, and green lettering on the spine of the book. The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama is a poignant novel that explores themes of love, loss, and cultural identity. Set in Japan during the late 1930s, as the country edges toward World War II, the story is both deeply personal and subtly reflective of the larger historical tensions of the time. The story is narrated by Stephen, a young Chinese man from Hong Kong who is sent to his family's summer home in the small Japanese seaside village of Tarumi. In Tarumi, he meets Matsu, the family’s caretaker, a quiet and introspective man with a deep connection to the garden and the surrounding community. The novel’s tone is contemplative, inviting readers to reflect on the intersection of personal and historical narratives.