Blurb:
As the Japanese military invades 1930s Manchuria, a young girl approaches her own sexual coming of age. Drawn into a complex triangle with two boys, she distracts herself from the onslaught of adulthood by playing the game of go with strangers in a public square--and yet the force of desire, like the occupation, proves inevitable. Unbeknownst to the girl who plays go, her most worthy and frequent opponent is a Japanese soldier in disguise. Captivated by her beauty as much as by her bold, unpredictable approach to the strategy game, the soldier finds his loyalties challenged. Is there room on the path to war for that most revolutionary of acts: falling in love?

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Summer Gift for you!
Enjoy!

A gift book from Germany! Thanks ApoloniaX!!! I've been wanting to read this book for a long time and am excited to have a copy. A friend in Tokyo gave me a Go set a few years ago, and I've found it to be a fascinating game. Thanks also for the terrific stickers and the postcard of Bremen. I've been to parts of Germany on business, but not yet to Bremen, which looks beautiful.

Finally - I am now reading this book and enjoying it very much :)

I finished this book two days ago. It was an intimate account of the time frame in China, the 1930's when Japan invaded Manchuria. As with many books written by Japanese authors, the action is slow and the behavior of the characters seems overly emotional and very mercurial. I enjoy books by Japanese authors, but I just have to have different expectations when I read them. I have a fascination with the game of go, so I found this enlightening. The game is slow and deliberate, requiring a great deal of strategy to play well. Overall it is a sad tale, nobody really getting anything they want or need, but such an interesting view of China during that time. I've spent quite a lot of time in both China and Japan, but have not been north of Beijing.

This book is heading out by mail to bookcrosser mcsar in beautiful British Columbia. Enjoy!!

You have in your hands a gift. This book is yours to do with as you wish...read it, share it, keep it, pass it on. Thanks for finding this book! I hope you enjoy reading it. Please leave a journal entry and let me know where this book has traveled! It can be done anonymously if you wish :)

The book has arrived. Thank you very much for your generosity. I look forward to reading the book; I like the game of go, too, and I always like to read stories set in this time period in China.

I enjoyed the book, but I was hoping for more and I was a bit disappointed. Something was lacking for me.

Passing to Brookler who is interested to read the book. Enjoy.

Just received this from mcsar and I've already started reading it. Thanks so much. I love meeting up with you and trading books!

I enjoyed this book. It’s very different kind of story. A poignant historical love novel situated in war and centred around a game of Go. A little slow to get into but worth the read.

Left on Canada Line train.