Barbara Jefferson, a young American teaching in Tokyo in the 1960s, is set on a life-changing quest when her Japanese surrogate mother, Michi, dies, leaving her a tansu of homemade plum wines wrapped in rice paper. Within the papers, Barbara discovers writings in Japanese calligraphy that comprise a startling personal narrative. With the help of her translator, Seiji Okada, Barbara begins to unravel the mysteries of Michi's life, a story that begins in the early twentieth century and continues through World War II and its aftermath. As Barbara and Seiji translate the plum wine papers they form an intimate bond, with Michi a ghostly third in what becomes an increasingly uneasy triangle. Barbara is deeply affected by the revelation that Michi and Seiji are hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, and even harder for her to understand are the devastating psychological effects wrought by war. ""Plum Wine"" examines human relationships, cultural differences, and the irreparable consequences of war in a story that is both original and timeless.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
A mystery that unfolds as beautifully, delicately, and ceremoniously as a lotus blossom. One of the most memorable novels I have read in many years. - Lee Smith, author of The Last Girls ""A complex and lyrical story about love and betrayal, war and responsibility, humane and generous acts in an inhumane world, the contrast between the East and the West, and one woman coming to terms with the American role in destroying innocent lives after World War II and during the Vietnam War."" - Susan Richards Shreve, author of Daughters of the New World ""What makes this book powerful is its commentary about the long-term effects of war, the inability of human beings to ever get over the past or to really understand each others' cultures, and the devastating consequences of American foreign policy."" - Rebecca Brown, author of Excerpts from a Family Medical Dictionary ""Plum Wine is in equal parts mystery and romance, an enchantment cast with wise and graceful passion."" - Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Book Club
Angela Davis-Gardner is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Felice and Forms of Shelter. Her short stories and personal essays have appeared in numerous literary magazines including Shenandoah and The Greensboro Review. She is professor of creative writing at North Carolina State University.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 2.82
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
£ 4.09
Within U.S.A.
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_386591435
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_398851986
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 377019-75
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00073802453
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.5. Seller Inventory # G0299211606I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.5. Seller Inventory # G0299211606I4N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Redux Books, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Very good paperback advance reader's copy. All advance reader's copies are paperback. Covers show light edge wear. Ex-libris sticker on end paper. Pages are clean and unmarked.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!. Seller Inventory # 61505200033
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Rock Solid Books, Jenison, MI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. 1st printing. Unread copy. A light little mark on dust jacket. 100% guarantee. Expert packaging. Seller Inventory # 008820
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Persephone's Books, Gastonia, NC, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Reprint. 316 pp. Second printing. Previous owner name on the front free endpaper. An apparently unread copy. Seller Inventory # 040972
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Reader's Corner, Inc., Raleigh, NC, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. First Edition, Third Printing. This is a fine, as new, hardcover first edition, third printing copy in a fine, as new mylar protected DJ. Pale green-gray spine. Signed by the author on the title page. AUTOGRAPHED COPY sticker on the DJ. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 045003
Quantity: 1 available