Sue's Reviews > The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

This is a beautiful tale of pre- and post-war Japan . It is about love and family and how the events of WWII affect one family and continue to affect them during the American Occupation and after. There are lots of interesting details about the culture of the sumotori and Noh theater mask-making, as well as Japan's progress during the Occupation. There is sadness in the story but also hope. I read and listened to this novel and it was easier to read after I'd heard the pronunciation of the names and many words. It tells the story of two brothers and those who revolve around them. For those readers who like all to be neatly wound up, they will be disappointed at how some of the other characters' stories just sort of end, but I really enjoyed this novel and this look into Japan and its culture by a gifted storyteller.