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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Jag tror att den svenska översättningen gjorde språket lite styltigare än det hade kunnat vara, vilket gjorde att boken kändes ännu långsammare i tempot för mig. Berättelsen visade sig vara fin och välresearchad när jag väl orkade mig igenom den!
I’m not usually into love stories (and this is undeniably a love story) but Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is much more than that. It’s a historical fiction about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War Two told from the perspective of a young Chinese boy who loses his best friend and first love because of bigotry and betrayal, and what happens nearly a lifetime later.
I definitely recommend this book.
My favourite part is the metaphor of the broken record that cannot be repaired, but can exist in another form, just as beautiful.
I definitely recommend this book.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyed this one a lot! Interesting historical fiction that made for a great book club discussion. Themes of father/son relationships, racism, war and love.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism
More than a 3/not quite a 4 (wishing goodreads offered half stars) Very sweet. Enjoyed it.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story weaves between current day and post Pearl Harbor and the Japanese internment.
The main character, Henry, an American-born first generation Chinese boy and Keiko, a Japanese girl and class mate.
A narrative of the horrors of war, ignorance and racism. Apparently we've learned nothing as there are so many similarities to current times.
Made me cry.
The year is 1986.
Henry Lee has lived a very satisfying life. He married a nice woman and they had a son named Marty. Though Henry loves his wife and his son, he will never forget Keiko Okabe. The girl who many, many years ago first stole his heart.
While out and about, Henry spots a crowd gathering in front of the Panama Hotel. The Panama has stood empty since about 1950 till a new owner took over the hotel. Henry can remember the only two times that he ever visited the Panama...it was back in 1942 otherwise known as the war years, when he was twelve and now. The Panama back then was considered to serve as a gateway between Seattle's Chinatown and Nihonmachi Japantown.
Henry learns the reason for the big crowd is because the owner has discovered down in the basement the possessions of about thirty-seven different Japanese families, who were taken from their homes and sent to camps or persecuted. Henry wonders if any of Keiko's belongings are among the stuff left behind. Henry and his son Marty are granted access to go through the items. Marty finds an old scrapbook that belonged to Keiko. Inside is a drawing of Henry as a boy. Henry is instantly transported back to 1942.
When Henry was twelve he was accepted to Rainer Elementary, an all white school. It was very exclusive and his parents were really excited. His father wanted Henry to stop talking in Chinese and start speaking in English all the time.Henry's parents called the fact that he was getting an education "scholarshipping". While attending Rainer, Henry met Keiko. Her and her family recently moved into the area. They are Japanese. Henry and Keiko formed a friendship not because they were both Asian but because they both wanted them same thing to be treated like everyone else. As Keiko and Henry spent more time with each other, his relationship with his family became strained to the point that his father pretty much disowned him.
As time passed the government because leery that the Japanese would once again cause another Pearl Harbor incident. Orders were issued to round up all of the Japanese and sent them to camps. Camps like Camp Harmony. Henry was able to get a job working at Camp Harmony helping one of his teachers serve food to the people there. All the while hoping that he would once again be reunion with Keiko. Fast forward back to the present. Marty plans to help his father investigate what happened to Keiko.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a breathtaking and stunning piece of work by author Jamie Ford. It is so wonderful that it I can't believe that Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is Mr. Ford's debut novel. Henry and Keiko's story was so heart-wretching and filled with sorrow but at the same time their story is like a poem. It is something to be tresured forever. All you need is some tender, loving care. I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Mr. Ford's next novel. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a winner.
Henry Lee has lived a very satisfying life. He married a nice woman and they had a son named Marty. Though Henry loves his wife and his son, he will never forget Keiko Okabe. The girl who many, many years ago first stole his heart.
While out and about, Henry spots a crowd gathering in front of the Panama Hotel. The Panama has stood empty since about 1950 till a new owner took over the hotel. Henry can remember the only two times that he ever visited the Panama...it was back in 1942 otherwise known as the war years, when he was twelve and now. The Panama back then was considered to serve as a gateway between Seattle's Chinatown and Nihonmachi Japantown.
Henry learns the reason for the big crowd is because the owner has discovered down in the basement the possessions of about thirty-seven different Japanese families, who were taken from their homes and sent to camps or persecuted. Henry wonders if any of Keiko's belongings are among the stuff left behind. Henry and his son Marty are granted access to go through the items. Marty finds an old scrapbook that belonged to Keiko. Inside is a drawing of Henry as a boy. Henry is instantly transported back to 1942.
When Henry was twelve he was accepted to Rainer Elementary, an all white school. It was very exclusive and his parents were really excited. His father wanted Henry to stop talking in Chinese and start speaking in English all the time.Henry's parents called the fact that he was getting an education "scholarshipping". While attending Rainer, Henry met Keiko. Her and her family recently moved into the area. They are Japanese. Henry and Keiko formed a friendship not because they were both Asian but because they both wanted them same thing to be treated like everyone else. As Keiko and Henry spent more time with each other, his relationship with his family became strained to the point that his father pretty much disowned him.
As time passed the government because leery that the Japanese would once again cause another Pearl Harbor incident. Orders were issued to round up all of the Japanese and sent them to camps. Camps like Camp Harmony. Henry was able to get a job working at Camp Harmony helping one of his teachers serve food to the people there. All the while hoping that he would once again be reunion with Keiko. Fast forward back to the present. Marty plans to help his father investigate what happened to Keiko.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a breathtaking and stunning piece of work by author Jamie Ford. It is so wonderful that it I can't believe that Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is Mr. Ford's debut novel. Henry and Keiko's story was so heart-wretching and filled with sorrow but at the same time their story is like a poem. It is something to be tresured forever. All you need is some tender, loving care. I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Mr. Ford's next novel. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a winner.
Quick read; sentimental and sweet. But online grief support groups in 1986? Not in my 1986...