A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding: The compelling Richard and Judy Summer Book Club winner
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Reviews
A gripping read right from the start. A very harrowing narrative in parts with some very emotive subjects about love, relationships, jealousy and unrequited love. The novel spans decades of the main characters life shattered by the events of Pikadon. Very thought provoking and a narrative that stayed with you after it was finished. Absolute golddust for book club discussions.
I knew I would love this book as soon as it arrived and I saw the cover. You could just tell it was going to be good.
It's the story of Amaterasu after the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Yuko, Amaterasu's daughter was killed when the bomb dropped and so was her grandson. The story tells of Amaterasu's fears that she could have saved her daughter. Amaterasu and her husband move to America thinking they will leave their sadness behind them but of course this doesn't happen. Eventually a young man turns up at Amaterasu's home claiming to be her grandson - she is not convinced - is he/isn't he?
This is a beautifully told story, so well written - I can't recommend it enough.
This book is written from Amaterasu's viewpoint. She is a wife, mother, daughter and grandmother who survives the Second World War bombing of Nagasaki. The author interweaves the 4 threads of these 4 aspects of her life beautifully. I learnt a lot about Japan in the war and felt empathy for the characters involved. It's actually a very gentle book which deals with extremely violent stories. I loved this book and would recommend it.
This was a sensitively and beautifully written book. The Japanese culture is woven into a story of love and grief. Amaterasu, the mother of Yuko, is forced to relive her horrific memories of the day the atom bomb shattered Nagasaki and question whether she could have saved her daughter. The prose style is not over-flowery and the short sentences evoke arresting and vivid pictures.
It was a thought-provoking and clever narrative leading us to look at how forgiveness can change lives and enable us to look forward. I look forward to the author's next book.
