BOOK: Night of Many Dreams

AUTHOR: Gail Tsukiyama

SUMMARY: Until I read this book, Samurai's Garden had been my favorite novel by Gail Tsukiyama. I found this book equally as enticing and well written. In Tsukiyama's gently flowing style, we read about 2 sisters growing up in Hong Kong. The story encompasses a time before, during and after World War II. These two grow emotionally, suffer, mature and celebrate being sisters. Tsukiyama's writing is rich in sensory detail. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of an upper class Hong Kong permeate this novel. The bonds of women in a family and the strength they receive from each other are a core theme in this story. Tsukiyama's storytelling takes her characters full circle, with warmth and sensitivity while capturing the historical period and place quite poignantly. This is a wonderful book to relax with. I found it good for my heart and soul.

PLOT: We meet the Lew family before World War II and follow them through a move to Macao during the height of the occupation of Hong Kong to their post war lives and activities. Tsukiyama tells us through Emma that, " All the other women in the Lew family were beautiful." The narration changes its point of view in each chapter as it shifts with the individual characters. Joan is beautiful and aspires to become an actress. Emma is more studious and wants to see the world. Auntie Go is a woman ahead of her time and culture running a successful knitting business. Mah-mee (the mother) is busy with her social luncheons and finding a suitable mate for her oldest daughter through her mahjong buddies. Baba is an absentee father who spends most of his time away on business. The family cook, Foon, is an integral part of this family, sharing her wisdom and promoting healing. As the twenty-five years pass, we see the geographic and career moves of these sisters, but their sibling bond is strong and very supportive.