Plum Wine

by Angela Davis-Gardner

Barbara Jefferson is an American living and teaching in Japan during the 1960s. Her command of Japanese is not great, and she is instantly befriended by Michi, a colleague and neighbor. When Michi dies, she bequeaths a chest of homemade plum wine to Barbara. Each bottle of wine is wrapped in a piece of paper with writing on it. Curious, she finds someone to translate the writings for her: an old friend of Michi's named Seiji.

Seiji and Barbara form a friendship while translating the papers, which chronicle Michi's life. Michi, as Barbara learns, was a survivor of Hiroshima. She also had other difficulties in life. As the translations progress, Seiji and Barbara become more intimate, sharing their own lives, as well as the stories of Michi.

I loved this novel. The language is beautiful, and the style is quiet, yet powerful. The author gives Americans a new perspective on Japan and World War II.

10/29/06