Scan barcode
middle_name_joy's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of Kristina McMorris' debut, [b:Letters From Home|9413657|Letters from Home|Kristina McMorris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348594821s/9413657.jpg|14297764], will not be disappointed with her new novel. Bridge of Scarlet Leaves casts that same vintage spell, whirling you back to a moment in history so full and vivid it is hard to believe it was over a lifetime ago. The infusion of Japanese heritage only adds to the authenticity of the story. Hard to put down and easy to pick up again, this novel is one to remember.
More than chronicling three small-town lives, that of Maddie Kern, her brother, TJ, and her boyfriend of Japanese heritage, Lane Moritomo, through the WWII years, Bridge is a story of tradition, honor, and devotion; cultivating and holding on to family; the search for one’s identity, both within the world and within one’s self; forgiving who and what cannot be changed, including one’s own past; and loving without regret.
War has a way of sliding everything into perspective, and each character achieves emotional growth that is both realistic and satisfying over the course of this epic novel. With her two books, McMorris has proven that she doesn’t shy away from sorrow and loss and sacrifice at the hands of warfare or the human heart, and neither does she overwhelm her characters or readers. Even out of darkness, there is hope, a bridge to a life altered but not unoccupied by dreams and love and a future.
At times riveting and breathless, at others tender and moving, and consistently written with superb attention to historical detail, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves reads as a love letter to the men, women, and children wrongfully incarcerated in Japanese-American relocation and internment camps during WWII—and the faithful spouses who followed them.
A novel for historical fiction buffs, romance readers, and anyone who enjoys learning about a little-known piece of our past, Bridge will transport and deliver beyond all expectations. Another truly fine piece of storytelling from McMorris that is not to be missed.
More than chronicling three small-town lives, that of Maddie Kern, her brother, TJ, and her boyfriend of Japanese heritage, Lane Moritomo, through the WWII years, Bridge is a story of tradition, honor, and devotion; cultivating and holding on to family; the search for one’s identity, both within the world and within one’s self; forgiving who and what cannot be changed, including one’s own past; and loving without regret.
War has a way of sliding everything into perspective, and each character achieves emotional growth that is both realistic and satisfying over the course of this epic novel. With her two books, McMorris has proven that she doesn’t shy away from sorrow and loss and sacrifice at the hands of warfare or the human heart, and neither does she overwhelm her characters or readers. Even out of darkness, there is hope, a bridge to a life altered but not unoccupied by dreams and love and a future.
At times riveting and breathless, at others tender and moving, and consistently written with superb attention to historical detail, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves reads as a love letter to the men, women, and children wrongfully incarcerated in Japanese-American relocation and internment camps during WWII—and the faithful spouses who followed them.
A novel for historical fiction buffs, romance readers, and anyone who enjoys learning about a little-known piece of our past, Bridge will transport and deliver beyond all expectations. Another truly fine piece of storytelling from McMorris that is not to be missed.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
While I don't traditionally get my history lessons from celebrities, I was incredibly moved by actor George Takei's comments about living in an internment camp for three years as a child.
I'd had Kristina McMorris' novel in my review queue and was excited to start. I love historical fiction for making real events in the past, and this book doesn't disappoint. Maddie Kern, an Anglo American, and Lane Morimoto, a Japanese American, fall in love and decide to elope, much to the displeasure of their families. They wake the next day to find Pearl Harbor bombed by the Japanese. Overnight, their already misunderstood marriage became something that provoked criticism, critique, hatred, fear, and horror. The events that followed were worse than they could imagine.
McMorris humanizes this incredibly fraught era, making very real a story that seems too horrifying to be true. It's a part of American history that is uncomfortable, easily ignored, but crucial to remember, and McMorris's novel is an excellent introduction. Her cast isn't enormous, but even the secondary characters get full stories and personalities, and there was much to hook me.
In fact, I cared about the characters to the point that I actually was quite angry with one of the plot twists -- there was a very tragic event that I could have lived without. I suppose the story needed that gut punch but I felt almost betrayed -- I wanted so badly for something else to happen.
In her author's note, McMorris writes about some of the themes and images she wanted to explore in her book -- brother pitted against brother, families forced to chose country or spouse -- and for the most part, she manages to convey that epic scope while keeping the story manageable and human. My only frustration with this novel, if anything, was that I wanted more.While a chunky 430 pages, McMorris doesn't focus on every life event, and as a result, some momentous moments are skipped, referred to by other characters in flashback or thought. I wanted to be with the characters during all their victories and tragedies. But that's my only quibble, and a small one at that.
Fans of WWII fiction will love this -- it's a lovely contribution to the historical fiction genre and I'm eager to see what McMorris does next!
I'd had Kristina McMorris' novel in my review queue and was excited to start. I love historical fiction for making real events in the past, and this book doesn't disappoint. Maddie Kern, an Anglo American, and Lane Morimoto, a Japanese American, fall in love and decide to elope, much to the displeasure of their families. They wake the next day to find Pearl Harbor bombed by the Japanese. Overnight, their already misunderstood marriage became something that provoked criticism, critique, hatred, fear, and horror. The events that followed were worse than they could imagine.
McMorris humanizes this incredibly fraught era, making very real a story that seems too horrifying to be true. It's a part of American history that is uncomfortable, easily ignored, but crucial to remember, and McMorris's novel is an excellent introduction. Her cast isn't enormous, but even the secondary characters get full stories and personalities, and there was much to hook me.
In fact, I cared about the characters to the point that I actually was quite angry with one of the plot twists -- there was a very tragic event that I could have lived without. I suppose the story needed that gut punch but I felt almost betrayed -- I wanted so badly for something else to happen.
In her author's note, McMorris writes about some of the themes and images she wanted to explore in her book -- brother pitted against brother, families forced to chose country or spouse -- and for the most part, she manages to convey that epic scope while keeping the story manageable and human. My only frustration with this novel, if anything, was that I wanted more.While a chunky 430 pages, McMorris doesn't focus on every life event, and as a result, some momentous moments are skipped, referred to by other characters in flashback or thought. I wanted to be with the characters during all their victories and tragedies. But that's my only quibble, and a small one at that.
Fans of WWII fiction will love this -- it's a lovely contribution to the historical fiction genre and I'm eager to see what McMorris does next!
mindingmypeas's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome book, but so sad! I haven't cried so much since Bean left Petra :/
mindypotter83's review against another edition
3.0
The book is about a point in history most Americans don’t like to acknowledge, and for that I appreciated the context and attention to detail. However the main characters were under developed and I didn’t feel any attachment to them
victoria_loves_books's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot, once I got really into the story. After reading the acknowledgments, I was surprised at how many parts of the story were based on factual events. Though everyone's story was entertaining, I really loved hearing the Moritomo side of things, about why Kumiko was the way she was, and how she grew as a character. Definitely recommend (:
katrinaburch's review against another edition
5.0
Wow... what a book. Could not put it down! I won this book via Sarah Jio's site and I waited to read it. Ms. McMorris weaves a tale of three young people at America's entrance to WWII giving accurate and rich details that makes you fall in love with the characters. I ended up cheering for them when they succedded and crying when they had problems. There was only one downside to the book (see after next line). However baring this one downside, the book is excellent and couldn't wait to find and read her other book. She's an amazing writer.
I was extremely unhappy with Ms. McMorris having Lane die! I couldn't believe after all that both he and Maddie went through to be together, she killed him! Granted he died a hero but still!
I was extremely unhappy with Ms. McMorris having Lane die! I couldn't believe after all that both he and Maddie went through to be together, she killed him! Granted he died a hero but still!
the_local_dialect's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The story was predictable, but since it is a story that hasn't really been done before in the first place, I didn't mind that the plot was not a shocker. The writing was of decent quality and I cared about the characters from the beginning. My one complaint was that Maddie was a bit of a Mary Sue and while the author tried to give her flaws, even her flaws were endearing. The male characters, TJ and Lane, were more well fleshed out. It was also nice to see an Asian American male play the romantic lead to a white female in mainstream literature. That doesn't often happen.
This isn't a book that is going to blow anyone out of the water or win major literary awards, but it is a strong fresh story about events in history that is often forgotten (the Japanese internment and relocation in particular). Well worth the read.
This isn't a book that is going to blow anyone out of the water or win major literary awards, but it is a strong fresh story about events in history that is often forgotten (the Japanese internment and relocation in particular). Well worth the read.
ncsuloges's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written book. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read another book by Kristina. This was a first reads giveaway and I am so pleased that I won.
kkukowski's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I have not read a WW2 book centered around the Japanese internment camps. This story starts off with Maddie, Lane, and Maddie’s brother TJ. Maddie and Lane fall in love and sneak away to be married. But because Pearl Harbor happens the next day-they don’t have the chance to tell their families. It doesn’t matter-because Lane is of Japanese descent and the entire town-and friends-turn on them both.
From there-the reader is thrust into the Japanese area of the war. TJ-once best friends to Lane-enlists, and Lane and his family is sent to an internment camp. After awhile, Maddie refuses to be without her new husband and joins him-where she sees firsthand the affects of racism towards Japanese-Americans.
This is the first book in over a year that had me in tears. The events that happen over the next four years -end up affecting all the people in the book for the rest of their lives. The author did an amazing job connecting you to each person on a personal level.
The end of the story-heartbreaking. A wonderfully written story.
From there-the reader is thrust into the Japanese area of the war. TJ-once best friends to Lane-enlists, and Lane and his family is sent to an internment camp. After awhile, Maddie refuses to be without her new husband and joins him-where she sees firsthand the affects of racism towards Japanese-Americans.
This is the first book in over a year that had me in tears. The events that happen over the next four years -end up affecting all the people in the book for the rest of their lives. The author did an amazing job connecting you to each person on a personal level.
The end of the story-heartbreaking. A wonderfully written story.
maylingkuo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. this could be a 4 star book with better writing. that said, the plot drew me into the novel. at the end, it felt even better to learn that the author spent a significant amount of time researching people connected to the japanese internment and spouses turning themselves into the camps. it's something i know little about, and i'm glad to have read it. the ending felt disappointing and i wish circumstances would have been switched around...