The alchemy of Linda Watanabe McFerrin's work is a combination of several elements she mixes in that brilliant workshop-of-a-mind of hers. She manages to provide gorgeous details that reveal much about her characters while not clobbering the reader over the head with heavy exposition. Her observations of the human condition are full of profundity and incredible heart. Her awe-inspiring mastery, though, is often elusive--as potent in what she chooses not to tell as it is in what she chooses to tell.

And, when you've reached the end of one of her exquisite stories, you are left both satisfied and wanting more. In fact, most of the stories in The Hand Of Buddha stayed with me for several days after I had completed them--especially the title story--because I felt a sense enrichment and yearning at the same time.

McFerrin's stories almost seem as though they were written by a divine, non-judgemental hand--Buddha's hand--and as such, can serve as reminders to us all that the seeming everydayness of our lives is truly numinous.

The wry, humorous, warm-hearted viewpoint of the story-teller in these tales of women switching gears to get out of crisis-mode builds bridges across great divides-between religion, ethnicity, location, and between the secular and the sacred. I loved Linda Watanabe McFerrin's novel, Namako: Sea Cucumber, and this book is an amazing follow-up. I can't wait to read what she writes next!

This is, like the title eludes, an awkward coming of age
book. The main character seems to come from an odd family,
and has an odd life. The book follows her during her
awkward stage in life, when she goes to a new and odd
world of Japan.

The is very nice, but left me a feeling a little awkward
too. I didn't know if things happening where a good thing
or a bad thing. Sometimes I felt like a weirdo looking
into this weird and perverse life.

It was a nice journey, but I am unsure of the destination.

I've had just finished reading the Novel Sea Cucumber by Linda Watanabe Mcferrin, and I would like to say that is a great book! The Novel Sea Cucumber is about a girl name Ellen who travel to Japan with her family to take care of her grandmother which she had never meet.
This book shows how the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter can grow so loving, strong, and understanding. For example, in the beginning when Ellen found out she was staying with her grandmother, Ellen said, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Ellen isn't sad or depressed that she had to stay with her grandmother. She was fine about it and took it calmly. Also, during New Year, Ellen said to her grandmother, "But Grandmother, if you don't come, the year wouldn't be lucky." This starts to show how much she cared for her grandmother. Ellen grew to love her grandmother so much, and she learned to care for her grandmother when she is lonely or sad. Without her grandmother being there with her, it wouldn't be Ellen's "lucky day". Furthermore, near the end of the book, Ellen said, "I had found a kami, who filled me with hopes for my grandmother, for myself, for every part of the world, one who promised that the water would always turn clear." This shows that Ellen found new hope not only for herself, but also her grandmother. She grew to understand more about herself and her grandmother. Through what the kami had taught her, I don't think Ellen will ever forget her grandmother and how much her love has grow for her grandmother ever since.
Ellen also gains a friendship throughout the novel and learns to trust each other. For instance, Ellen said, "Anne and I were perfectly matched. We were both the children of preoccupied parents. Mr. and Mrs. Matsuda were preoccupied with their jobs. Anna was an only child. Sara and Gene were preoccupied with trying to understand one another. Anna and I thrived on this absence of supervision." Ellen's friendship with Anne isn't only about "just being friends", but it is also about what they have in common and what being a friend is all about. They shared smiliarities and that's what keeps their friendship strong. Also, Ellen said, "That summer, before we switched schools, I had my first professional haircut. Anne was with me." Anne is a truly best friend. From what Ellen said, Anne seems to be a friend that will always be there whenever Ellen needs her. In addition, Anne stole tin pins that were painted gold and covered with gaudy fake diamonds, and she said, "Something to remember the moment. We'll wear then forever. Ellen, these are the symbols of our friendship." Friendship is strong and alive through both of them. No matter how far apart they might be or what goes wrong between them, their friendship will always last and their trust in each other will grow stronger each day.
In this book, there are things that I've liked and not liked. I liked how the story was told in first person so I would understand how the main character, Ellen, was going through. I also liked the fairy tales and stories that were told by her mother, Sara, and her grandmother. It showed me that in their times, they had stories about demons and evil people as a common story tale. The novel also showed some of the culture that Ellen and her family had. I've also learned that love between family and friendship can grow very strong throughout life. I didn't like the novel so much because it was predictable to know what will happen next, but otherwise this book is a great book. I don't like knowing what will happen next, but I usually like to be surprised at the end of the book.
I would definitely recommend this novel to other readers because this book is in the first person tense and it shows how the person feels as the story is told. It adds more voice to the novel and shows what the main character is thinking about in the novel. If the reader wants to read a book about love between friendship and the love of a grandmother and granddaughter, this is the book to get and start reading! Believe me, the readers will love it! Not only that book is interesting, but the readers will also gain and learn something out of it. The fun part about reading is to know what the reader is reading and to enjoy it while they are reading. This book is written in a simple format and is very easy to understand. I hope the people who are willing to try and read this book will love it like I do!

I'm new to Linda Watanabe McFerrin's writing, picked up this book more or less by chance on the strength of an interesting title and the Japanese connection...and loved it. I read the book in one sitting...not because it's such an overpowering page turner, but because McFerrin conjures up a subtle and appealing world that I suppose I felt reluctant to leave. The story moves along easily as a series of vignettes, written in a fluid style, a sometimes poignant subject balanced by a wonderfully impish wit that appeals to both head and heart.
It's a coming of age story with an interesting multicultural twist (I'll give a miss to the synopsis as it's been well done elsewhere). I found in it some fine and accurate touchstones to my own multicultural and vagabond childhood. I see it's been given a nod as a "best book" for teenagers. But it would be a shame if that left the impression it's a book particularly FOR teenagers. Though the story unfolds around and through the eyes of a young character (like another of my favourite titles, Mordecai Richler's "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz"), this is fine adult stuff. There's intelligence with a tender touch, and a mix of mischief and humour here that I found immediately likable. And it's subtle enough that there's plenty left for an alert reader to uncover by reading between the lines.
I'm a songwriter (and perhaps not the greatest "reviewer") but I've always appreciated being turned on to a good new writer or book. So I'd like to return the favor and recommend this one as well worth a look and the price of admission. It's very well done.

I have been a big fan of the "Best Places" series for years, and have enjoyed awesome trips in San Diego and the Pacific N.W. thanks to these guidebooks. But I was disappointed in the "Northern California" edition. I know, it's a guide to "best" places and as such will probably lean heavily toward the pricier establishments. And Northern California tends to be a pricey place. But while most of the other "Best Places" books include a wide range of places, from great ethnic hole-in-the-wall eateries to five-star dining experiences, this particular volume just piles on the five-star recommendations. You'll be hard pressed to find, for example, a basic breakfast hangout, a good sandwich joint, and ESPECIALLY a lodging [for a reasonable price]. If all I want to do is patronize the trendiest and priciest, what do I need a guidebook for? Anyone can find the chic places; a guidebook should help a visitor nose out the less-discovered treasures. Also, the oh-so-trendy, oh-so-chic, been-there-done-that-seen-it-all-eaten-it-all tone of the writing gets a little wearing after awhile. Buy some of the other Best Places guides, but look elsewhere if you want something more comprehensive for Northern California.

Top restaurants and lodgings throughout Northern California are rated and reviewed and range from lodgings and restaurants to tourist opportunities. Best Places Northern California features some of the truly best places in the state and provides a candid guide to all the amenities to be offered in its places. Highly recommended; if only one guidebook to the state were to be selected, Best Places Northern California should be the 'Bible' of choice.