false 0 2009-02-14T21:09:15-08:00 386344 362 2009-02-14T21:09:15-08:00 4 1 false false Sun Feb 15 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Feb 14 18:15:48 -0800 2009 Sun Feb 15 05:43:43 -0800 2009 The Teahouse Fire is rich in historical notes but burns brightly with a story that will keep you engaged. As the main character begins to unravel the mysteries of the Japanese language around her, so too she begins to see into a world that very few outsiders ever experience.

The difficult part for some may be keeping track of all of the Japanese names and their own stories surrounding the central plot lines. There is a healthy dose of historical context laid down throughout the book that in many cases is the key to understanding the action at hand. Naturally, the tea ceremony holds a central place and theme, but kimono choice and usage, the caste layers at hand in Kyoto, and abundant references to the subtle intricacies of the Japanese language color the world of The Teahouse Fire with seasonal abundance.

If you are the kind of reader that enjoys slowly winding a rich story around you like a warm blanket on a cool evening, The Teahouse Fire is exactly your bowl of tea. If, on the other hand, you are the kind who prefers a fast-paced light read, perhaps a bowl of bubuzuke is in order.]]>