A rather beautifully written novel that makes use of natural imagery from the perspective of an aging grandfather witnessing his family dynamics develop. Between the affair of his son and divorce of his daughter, he weighs his responsibility as a parent of now adults. This, coupled with his no longer affectionate marriage, frequent death of friends, and physical deteoriation, gives insight to a elderly view. All this occurs with a backdrop of coping with war in Japan. Where this novel lacks is coming from a slightly particular experience that is not entirely entertaining.