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manntan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sushibear2002's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lindsayb's review against another edition
2.0
Oof...I did like the focus on some lesser-known history, but so much of this book revolved around women reliant upon men or having little to do apart from the men in their lives. There were also a few points of homophobia that didn't sit well even in spite of the context.
I am also split on the audio. For a white woman, the reader Gabrielle de Cuir does an OK job with the Hawaiian and pidgin, but the production quality is pretty shaky and there are reeeeeally corny and distracting music patches throughout.
I am also split on the audio. For a white woman, the reader Gabrielle de Cuir does an OK job with the Hawaiian and pidgin, but the production quality is pretty shaky and there are reeeeeally corny and distracting music patches throughout.
jim_bar's review against another edition
If I wanted to read a book about jazz, I would have selected one based on the book's description. This is not the story I expected.
While the prose was beautifully written, this story pulled the rug out from under me a few too many times. When Sunny's story ramped up in intensity, it would immediately shift back to Keo's jazz in full detail. I think the author exhausted every possible way to describe a trumpet and how to play it.
In her mission to make every single living German and Japanese as reprehensible as possible (because WWII), the author went as far as. Hated that since that was the one time in the amount I read that Keo truly stood up for himself. I'm not sure why the author had to make that the moment.
While the prose was beautifully written, this story pulled the rug out from under me a few too many times. When Sunny's story ramped up in intensity, it would immediately shift back to Keo's jazz in full detail. I think the author exhausted every possible way to describe a trumpet and how to play it.
In her mission to make every single living German and Japanese as reprehensible as possible (because WWII), the author went as far as
Spoiler
making a Nazi a gay predator whom Keo beats to death and uses to bond with one of his homophobic Japanese captorssfujii's review against another edition
3.0
This book, at the core, was interesting. However, I felt that it was flawed in many ways, which ultimately took away from how much I enjoyed the experience of reading it.
Positives:
1. Lots of great and intriguing historical information (Hawaii becoming a state, WWII, Hawaiian folklore and mythology, comfort women)
2. Some of the characters had interesting lives - mostly ones that didn't get near enough focus - but they were enjoyable to read for the most part
Negatives:
1. WAY WAY WAY too much description of music. Especially in the beginning. It was BEYOND obnoxious. I read the interview at the end and the author said that the original book was over 1500 pages long, and then after 24 revisions, she figured out that she needed to make every word count. I'm pretty sure you could have nixed the part about whales stopping to listen to the character play. Pretty sure that isn't what one would call "essential." (...)
2. There were lots of parts, more in the end of the book, that switched character focus (not POV, though) mid page, and it was really confusing. I would start the chapter reading about Keo in one place, and then all of the sudden I'm reading about Malia in her shop. No connection at all. The book started as a back and forth between Keo and Sunny, and then all of a sudden everyone and their mom (literally) was getting the focus. It took away from my ability to understand it in parts.
3. There were WAY too many coincidences. I mean, people traveling across the world, meeting up in war, coming back to HI, and then meeting again? Not buying what you are selling. Sorry.
4. There were so many opportunities where I just wish the author would have gone in more depth. I felt like 75% of the book was totally just glossed over activity. Like months/years were covered in a short paragraph or when a character looked at the aftermath of the war, it was just way too generalized when I was really craving some more development and specifics.
In the end, it was "okay"...but I can't say I highly recommend it. I would say that parts of it (like 60%) was really a 2.5 stars.
Positives:
1. Lots of great and intriguing historical information (Hawaii becoming a state, WWII, Hawaiian folklore and mythology, comfort women)
2. Some of the characters had interesting lives - mostly ones that didn't get near enough focus - but they were enjoyable to read for the most part
Negatives:
1. WAY WAY WAY too much description of music. Especially in the beginning. It was BEYOND obnoxious. I read the interview at the end and the author said that the original book was over 1500 pages long, and then after 24 revisions, she figured out that she needed to make every word count. I'm pretty sure you could have nixed the part about whales stopping to listen to the character play. Pretty sure that isn't what one would call "essential." (...)
2. There were lots of parts, more in the end of the book, that switched character focus (not POV, though) mid page, and it was really confusing. I would start the chapter reading about Keo in one place, and then all of the sudden I'm reading about Malia in her shop. No connection at all. The book started as a back and forth between Keo and Sunny, and then all of a sudden everyone and their mom (literally) was getting the focus. It took away from my ability to understand it in parts.
3. There were WAY too many coincidences. I mean, people traveling across the world, meeting up in war, coming back to HI, and then meeting again? Not buying what you are selling. Sorry.
4. There were so many opportunities where I just wish the author would have gone in more depth. I felt like 75% of the book was totally just glossed over activity. Like months/years were covered in a short paragraph or when a character looked at the aftermath of the war, it was just way too generalized when I was really craving some more development and specifics.
In the end, it was "okay"...but I can't say I highly recommend it. I would say that parts of it (like 60%) was really a 2.5 stars.
denakg's review against another edition
5.0
Epic, beautiful, heartbreaking... This book combined two of my favorites: WWII and Hawaii. Loved this. Very difficult to read at times and I learned about more atrocities committed during the war of which I was completely unaware. This book will haunt me for a long time.
latisha's review against another edition
I hope to finish this in the future, its just not clicking and I can tell it’s my mindset and nothing more!
kharmacat's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written, extraordinary characters, haunting historical details. Sometimes slow and dense.
roxalyn's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the parts describing the horrors of WW2 or Hawaiian history. But for everything else, the language was way too flowery and melodramatic.