Most of the reviewers here have covered the beauty, passion, tragedy and romance that transcend time in Autumn Bridge. I liked it even better than Cloud of Sparrows. It's literarily and spriritually more expansive. Matsuoka takes literary risks with the mysticism. But it works. I first purchased the audio version. Listening to it prompted my purchase of the hardcover. Reading it in print is a little different experience. Even deeper. Recommend both experiences to get the richness out of it.Frankly, I'm surprised that this book didn't launch Matsuoka into superstar status. It's that good.