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2.88 AVERAGE
2.88 AVERAGE
This book started out quite strong. The characters were engaging, and the storyline was promising. Well before midway, however, it all started to fall apart. I would highly recommend reading, instead, [b:The Electrical Field|1193754|The Electrical Field|Kerri Sakamoto|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320487552s/1193754.jpg|1181808] by the same author.
If the speed with which I read this is any indication, it is an emotionally and culturally intriguing read. Those with a light interest in Japanese or World War II history may find it especially enjoyable, but ultimately this is a simple story about complex, international, inter-cultural- inter-generational relationships - and sisterhood.
Miyo lives in Canada with her father. He takes care of her as her left side is weak and deformed and her mother died in childbirth. She meets David and moves out of her home and shortly thereafter, her father dies. She then discovers she has a half sister (younger) in Tokyo and travels to meet her and learns of secrets in her father's past. In the end, we discover he served in the war for Japan and another pilot died in his place, which shamed him. Miyo cannot help Hana (her sister) anymore and returns home to try and forge a life with David.
The story is interesting, but the route is hazy. I didn't care about Hana's art or weird tribute to war widows or freaky boyfriend, Ryu. David, who is so critical in getting Miyo to go to Japan to seek the truth, disappears for a large portion of the novel, minimizing his importance. Too many of the characters remain underdeveloped in deference to Hana. And, we never find out what happens to Setsuko, the ashes, David and Miyo or Hana, and whether her mental instability subsides!
An important subject, but a poor treatment of it.
The story is interesting, but the route is hazy. I didn't care about Hana's art or weird tribute to war widows or freaky boyfriend, Ryu. David, who is so critical in getting Miyo to go to Japan to seek the truth, disappears for a large portion of the novel, minimizing his importance. Too many of the characters remain underdeveloped in deference to Hana. And, we never find out what happens to Setsuko, the ashes, David and Miyo or Hana, and whether her mental instability subsides!
An important subject, but a poor treatment of it.
I've been meaning to read this one for a while and finally got around to it. This story is told from the point of view of Miyo Mori a Japanese Canadian, living in Toronto. Miyo was born with physical disabilities that include a weak leg and chest. Her mother died when she was just a child and her father looked after her, even driving her to and from her work. She lived a very insular life until she encounters a man who assists her on the subway one day when her father wasn't able to drive her. As she begins a relationship she begins to resent her father, until she is faced with his death. As she learns of a half-sister who lives in Japan and the other things that she did not know about her father, she engages in a search to find her sister and her father's past. Her search leads her to discoveries about herself as well and gives in new insight to her father's treatment of her.
It was interesting to see the development of Miyo as she ventures into a new environment with the supports she was used to. She grows as she learns.
It was interesting to see the development of Miyo as she ventures into a new environment with the supports she was used to. She grows as she learns.