Four generations of Japanese American women maketheir home in a large house in San Francisco,united by the obligations of family and tradition and,perhaps, by love. In alternating chapters, thefour women--Reiko, Rio, Tomoe, and Nomi Hito--speakwith unflinching honesty about their lives, thesecrets that have separated mother and daughter, andthe fierce ties of intimacy that form aninextricable bridge between them.With the touch and powerof a master storyteller, Julie Shigekuni gracefullyinterweaves four distinctive voices to shape amoving story of love and the courage it requires. Inbaring the heart of one family, she illuminatesthe truths about families, real and imagined, we allcreate.From the Trade Paperback edition.