The Garden Of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

 

Yun Ling Teoh has returned to the Highlands of Malaysia now that she has retired from her career as a judge.  She had come there after World War II where she had been taken prisoner along with her sister by the Japanese when they occupied her country.  The prison camp had been brutal and Yun was the only survivor.  Her sister had died along with the rest after having been made a comfort woman for the staff.

Yun wants to make a Japanese garden in honor of her sister but she knows she doesn't have the knowledge or skills.  In the Highlands, next to the tea plantation owned by family friends where she is staying, is a Japanese gardener who was gardener to the Japanese Emperor.  Yun tries to hire Aritomo but he says he only wants to work on his own garden.  He does agree to make her his apprentice.

Yun learns about garden design and other cultural rites that Aritomo teaches her.  When she leaves to take up her law career, she leaves with that knowledge and appreciation.  Now she is back and Aritomo has left her his house and gardens.  As she looks back, the secrets of those other times are slowly revealed.

Tan Twan Eng was born in Malaysia so this is a book of his country's history.  This book and others of his have been nominated for the Booker Prize.  It is a novel of war and hatred, of forgiveness both of others and of oneself, and an exploration of what our souls need in order to thrive.  The language is lush yet contained, setting the environments in which Yun found herself during different periods of her life.  This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.