Plot Summary

The Ash Garden

Dennis Bock
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The Ash Garden

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

Book Brief

Dennis Bock

The Ash Garden

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001
Book Details
Pages

281

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan And Canada • 1940s

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Ash Garden by Dennis Bock interweaves the stories of Emiko, a Hiroshima survivor; Anton Böll, a Manhattan Project scientist; and Sophie, Anton’s wife, who fled Nazi persecution, exploring their interconnected lives through the trauma of the atomic bombing. Without revealing critical plot points, the narrative delves into their experiences of survival, guilt, and reconciliation. Topics include intense war violence and severe medical conditions.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Mysterious

Dark

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.5

781 ratings

45%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

19%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Dennis Bock's The Ash Garden is praised for its poignant narrative and deep character exploration, especially regarding the psychological scars left by war. Critics commend Bock's evocative prose and rich storytelling. However, some note an uneven pace and wish for further development of secondary characters. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Ash Garden?

Readers who appreciate intricate character studies and historical fiction will enjoy Dennis Bock's The Ash Garden. Comparable to John Hersey's Hiroshima and Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day, this novel resonates with those interested in the moral complexities and personal aftermath of World War II events.

3.5

781 ratings

45%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

19%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

281

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan And Canada • 1940s

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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