Most in my book group loved this novel. I enjoyed it; the writing style was wonderful, the premise (notes in the plum wine spelling out a woman's pain and history), and the glimpse into the culture was different from other, similar novels I've read. However, found it's flaws were too severe to allow me to give it any more than a "7". The main character annoyed me -- one of those women you want to go up and shake and say, "Girlie, open your eyes!" Seiji had no backbone, no real sense of values/priorities and lost my sympathy and my respect when I read the part about Michi begging him to stand up to the other women. The ending seemed like those used by authors when they've tired of their characters and plot.

July 2009: Sending on to a fellow BookCrosser.

This lovely little book arrived in the mail this week. Thank you so much, KimKerry, for sharing this with me!