So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins Chapters 8-11

After finally finishing So Far from the Bamboo Grove, I am left spellbound by the author's well described emotions. She also expertly showed the terrors of war.

As the book progresses, the characters evolve and grow up. After Yoko's mother comes back from a trip, she faintly talks and then dies. This incident shows how Yoko and Ko have grown because both of the sisters quickly accept that there mother is no more. They go to a crematory and have their mother's ashes put in a mess kit. The sisters remain strong and still go to school while they feed themselves. This independance shows how strong-minded they have become.

In addition, more of Yoko's character is revealed. The way she shows genuine concern for her school's janitor shows that Yoko is caring and loving, just like mother. She actually tries to help him with his stuttering problem while others mock him for it.

Some more character is shown when Yoko wins the essay contest. Instead of writing about her trouble in Korea, she choses to talk about her school. This might be because it is too painful for her to relive her Korean life or she wants to shield others from the terror of war. This shows that although she can outlast ordeals, it is tough for her to relive them. This is true for many people, especially war veterans, who lived through violent wars, but go into tears when they have to talk about the confusion of war.

Overall, So Far from the Bamboo Grove is a wonderful book. No other book that I have read has so expertly captured the sadness of war through the eyes of an individual.