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taylersimon22's review against another edition
4.0
Henry is Chinese and the story flashes back and forward to him in his adolescence and him and his 50s. This book takes an interesting look at race relations in America during the War, especially that of White people, Chinese people, and Japanese people. Henry grapples with his fiercely Chinese family, loyal to China, but striving to fit in as American. He has a button throughout his childhood forcing him to remember “I am Chinese”.
Then he finds Keiko, who is second generation Chinese American. It is dangerous to be Japanese during this time, but Keiko and her family see themselves as American. Keiko has never been to Japan or even speaks Japanese. Henry and Keiko’s friendship is forbidden because of China and American’s relationship with Japan; it doesn’t matter that Keiko and her family are American.
Even today as we see so much violence against Asian Americans because of this virus. It goes to show that if you are a person of color, you are never quite seen as fully American. That is the power of White Supremacy.
I did have some feelings about the author being a white man writing as if he knows about the experiences of Asian people during this time. That goes to the general feelings I have about white people telling stories from the perspective of people of color, but that’s a whole other thing.
Then he finds Keiko, who is second generation Chinese American. It is dangerous to be Japanese during this time, but Keiko and her family see themselves as American. Keiko has never been to Japan or even speaks Japanese. Henry and Keiko’s friendship is forbidden because of China and American’s relationship with Japan; it doesn’t matter that Keiko and her family are American.
Even today as we see so much violence against Asian Americans because of this virus. It goes to show that if you are a person of color, you are never quite seen as fully American. That is the power of White Supremacy.
I did have some feelings about the author being a white man writing as if he knows about the experiences of Asian people during this time. That goes to the general feelings I have about white people telling stories from the perspective of people of color, but that’s a whole other thing.
nextfavoritebook's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
3.0
A bit sentimental for me, but good story, interesting setting.
lizbeth5's review against another edition
3.0
Good, if pretty predictable romance. Love the time period, so was entertained by the historical details.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
I'd probably give this book 4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the telling of this story. I don't know if it would be categorized as historical fiction, but it reads as such. I am still amazed that Japanese internment happened as it did--even to Japanese who had lived here for generations--and some who didn't even speak Japanese--they were Americans. Well-written.
surcie's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this after bonking my head and dealing with post concussion symptoms :(
Pretty confident I would've given it 4 stars if I'd been in a better place!
Pretty confident I would've given it 4 stars if I'd been in a better place!
sasbyrne's review against another edition
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sunrays118's review against another edition
3.0
Three.
Overall story was a four. It was a solid, if supremely predictable story.
The writing was a three. It was a bit dull and lacking of any emotion but fine.
The rest of it was a two. The author went way overboard proving they had been to Seattle before and some of the lines were just a bit painful.
Decent read.
Overall story was a four. It was a solid, if supremely predictable story.
The writing was a three. It was a bit dull and lacking of any emotion but fine.
The rest of it was a two. The author went way overboard proving they had been to Seattle before and some of the lines were just a bit painful.
Decent read.
gremlinpride's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0