This book was enjoyed by all of us, in different ways and to differing degrees. The pace of the writing, measured and drawn out, was deemed to be an important factor in telling the story of the creation of the garden, as well as the life stories of the main characters.  This is not a book to be rushed, as the many layers and strands within the story embody many aspects of Japanese culture, as well as the philosophy of the long journey towards the inevitability of death. The importance of silence, stillness and reflection run throughout, in the garden, tea ceremony, archery (kyudo), tattooing (horimono), drawing, writing and even in breathing.
The relationship between the  enigmatic Aritomo and the slightly humourless Yun Ling moves through time and place throughout the text. A device a few of us found a bit confusing (even annoying), but this book requires attentive reading at a SLOW pace....!
The aspects of war mentioned, and Japanese prison camps, were particularly vile and distressing but not overly laboured and did not detract from the main themes. Indeed, our discussion focussed very much on the long, slow  journey through the garden, in its many states, in person and through memories, till the end of life.
We all agreed that this is a book that can be read many times, as there is much to learn and understand within the complex narrative.