I was expecting to cry while reading this novel. But, it just made me sad. I guess I expected a lot from this because I love the other books of this author that I've read before. Nevertheless, I like it's message to us not to hold on to things so we can easily move forward. ( )

This is probably my favorite Tsukiyama book yet. It deals with the topic of Werner's syndrome, a disease that makes (usually Oriental) people age twice as fast as normal.

This story has a mother, widowed by Max, a Japanese American, and their daughter Hana, who is afflicted with the disease. Hana is 38 but looks 80, her organs and arteries are as if they were 80, yet in her head she is still 38 and very self conscious of the physical changes she is ungergoing.

The mother-daughter relationship is endearing, and the disease makes them stronger and more empathetic.(less ( )

A quick and easy read and while it sometimes borders on sappy, the author has succeeded in writing a good book. It is the story of a mother and daughter and the progression of a terrible and rare disease, Werner's Syndrome. ( )

This is a compeling story of after the WWII of Japanese American and American girl's relashion and marrage. Their only child affected by Werner's disease. Story is warm, always positive, and sad but happy ending.