The Seventh Stone

by Nancy Freedman

After her husband dies a hero's death as a kamikaze pilot during World War II, a young widow, Momoko, and her son, Akio, struggle to rebuild their lives in postwar Japan, in a story that spans three generations of a Japanese family

Genres: Japan, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Nancy Lois Mars Freedman, born in Chicago in 1920, was a professional dancer by the age of seven. She later became an actress, but her career was cut short by a heart condition. She married Benedict Freedman in 1941, just shy of her twenty-first birthday. They collaborated on Mrs. Mike while still in their twenties. Each would write a section and critique the other’s work. (In a previous discussion, June 2007, we learned that this is the method used by the mother and daughter team that makes up P. J. Tracy.) Nancy and Benedict did not write the sequels to Mrs. Mike (The Search for Joyful and Kathy Little Bird) until 2002 and 2004! Nancy authored several other books in the intervening years.

Reviews

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Seventh Stone" is one of the best books I have ever read. Knowing a bit about Japanese culture and traditions I found this book to be quite truthful to what I know. The story has everything. It is shocking, admirable, deceitful, passionate, courageous, and rooted deep, deep in honor and tradition. If you do not know anything about the Japanese you will understand them much better after reading this novel which spans three generations of of the Sanogawa family beginning with the childhood of Noboru, the Oka fighter, better known to us as the Kamikaze pilot. Before and through the war and even during the Occupation, Japan held to its old ways and the son of Noboru, Akio, would both prosper and pay for it. The women had no decision-making power and it wasn't until Akio's childern ......don't want to spoil it. Don't get me wrong. The Japanese had honor and traditions and all of that but the men still had mistresses, lovers, and/or giesha as did a few of the women. Richly written with all kinds of examples of history and traditions and why they did the things they did. Don't miss it as books like this don't come along very often.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on explaining Japanese culture, which Americans have no understanding of. The book tells the story of a Kamikaze pilot and his wife and their two following generations. A masterful explaining of their customs by the author who put a lot of thought into her writing, to better enable anyone to better understand the Japanese culture. I waffled back and forth on giving it four or five stars and finally settled on four because I would have liked more on Momoko and Takeo. A great read.

[Karen Howey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book literally in two sittings. Not only was it historically well researched it was a wonderful insight to the Japanese customs of sacrifice and honour. The story line was compelling as the characters wrestled with their own human shortcomings. A real page turner

[Joan Horkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible insight into the minds of the Japanese. Nancy Freedman's tale of a Sumurai family is beautifully written and helps one understand the Japanese culture that otherwise is hard to comprehend.

[Mary Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also wrote Mrs. Mike

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Freedman is considered a feminist writer and has, with this sweeping family history, shown the traditional and historical establishment of feminine submission that was Japanese culture from its earliest days. Momoko, the central character who is the essence of tradition and familial duty, is the epitome of wisdom and humility, and it is she, more than any other character, who keeps the reader awaiting her actions.

After the second world war, Japanese cultural isolationism begins to decline. Momoko worries that her family will be adversely affected. She compares it to

"a bonsai tree, held by wires, twisted, taught to grow in a certain pattern. Once taken from its small container, transplanted, its wires cut, the tree can never be forced back. Neither is it able to survive in a field. It no longer fits anywhere."

A good choice for a book group.

[Alyssa Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out with soooo much potential. I loved Part One. Even the beginning of Part Two was good, but it just devolved from there. The story became convoluted and rushed, and when I had 20 pages left, I thought, 'there's no way the author can possibly wrap everything up in this time', but she did, and I didn't like it.
Again, I enjoyed the first half, but the second half was a slog.