As some other reviewers have mentioned, this story tends towards being too subtle and symbolic. Whether this is a problem with the reader or the writing I cannot say.

It’s beautifully written and very atmospheric. You really do feel as if you’re in a particular version of Japan—a quiet, refined, zen garden version.

This book really lends itself to meditation and analysis, often in a way that forced the reader to remain detached from the story. The characters speak in rather aloof & detached voices, rarely letting humanity burst through. The reader must wait patiently for the answers to reveal themselves. I found that I was subsequently too detached to find Rose’s eventual awakening fully credible. That’s the difficulty of shifting from a cerebral to an emotive state. I suspect, given the number of hints scattered throughout the book about not getting a full view all at once, that this is intentional.