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tini_bonasoro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Such a beautiful and heartfelt book. I loved it way more than I expected to
jbabiarz's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! Great read, made me want to dig into the era a bit more.
novabird's review against another edition
2.0
Right from the start, I noticed that the bulk of the writing technique was presented in truncated short, shorter, and shortest sentences possible. I was slightly put-off, as though Ford either made a conscious effort to address the readability factor of his audience, or was trying to affect something minimalistic in his stylistic approach. Yet, the complexity factor increased with the progression of the story, so I held out hope. For too long, as it turned out.
Either way I found it very difficult to engage in this, ‘puppy-love,’ story. Not that it was overly sentimental, no not at all. Midway through the book, I decided to put it aside; as the latest development
Although, I did gain some cultural insight with the, “I am Chinese,” button that Henry wore and learned a little about the implications of Chinese and Japanese relations, I was also disappointed in how ‘cleaned-up,’ Ford presented his story.
Using a puppy-love story to present both 1. the cultural differences between the Chinese and Japanese Americans and 2. Also depicting an internment camp in such a simplistic style and plot form really seems to me to be pandering to the masses or simply the effect of a third generation Chinese American imposing a Brady Bunch (sic from Ford’s Acknowledgments) mentality on his work.
Because I did learn some things from, “The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” this was not a total waste of time for me. 2.75
Either way I found it very difficult to engage in this, ‘puppy-love,’ story. Not that it was overly sentimental, no not at all. Midway through the book, I decided to put it aside; as the latest development
Spoiler
of Henry working as kitchen help at the Japanese internment camp was so coincidental that it bordered on implausible.Although, I did gain some cultural insight with the, “I am Chinese,” button that Henry wore and learned a little about the implications of Chinese and Japanese relations, I was also disappointed in how ‘cleaned-up,’ Ford presented his story.
Using a puppy-love story to present both 1. the cultural differences between the Chinese and Japanese Americans and 2. Also depicting an internment camp in such a simplistic style and plot form really seems to me to be pandering to the masses or simply the effect of a third generation Chinese American imposing a Brady Bunch (sic from Ford’s Acknowledgments) mentality on his work.
Because I did learn some things from, “The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” this was not a total waste of time for me. 2.75
emmalemonnz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it, even in its predictability.
Always good to read a story from a different perspective. It's been years since I read something with a Chinese American protagonist.
♡
Always good to read a story from a different perspective. It's been years since I read something with a Chinese American protagonist.
♡
emeck's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sueking365's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
This story was quite moving. It occurs in Seattle, both in 1942 and in 1986, and involves the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Great character development and descriptions of places.
lamaakhr's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a bitter and sweet story about how a chinese boy falls in love with a japanese girl during WWII and what happens to him 50 years later. It is a sweet love story that isn't like any other love story. It also shows the readers what happened to the Japanese during the war years and how citizens reacted. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sweet stories with a little saddness in it. My only problem with the book is that it doesn't have a great hook in the beginning, but it gets better as you flip the pages.
veegeee's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
lindyloureads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
This story chronicles the adult life of Chinese American Henry Lee, and also flashes back to his Seattle boyhood, just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Panama Hotel is the link between Henry's present and past life, just as it served as common meeting place between himself and then 11-year old school mate, Japanese American, Keiko Okabe.
The main focus of the story is the growing friendship between Henry and Keiko, which matures into first love after Keiko's family is moved into an Japanese internment camp. Keiko and Henry are devoted to each other, and vow to write letters and wait for each other until Keiko's family is released.
It is clear from the beginning of the novel that the two eventually lose contact (indeed, the first chapter details Henry's care for his deceased wife, Ethel), but the heart of this book is Henry's recollections of his friendship and coming of age during the 1940's.
Ford tells a good story -- he succeeds in creating characters of Henry and Keiko who you would like to know yourself. They are innocent, loyal and full of life. Likewise, the adults who help them along their journey are also very likeable and Ford gives the reader a glimpse into their personal histories. On the other hand, Ford does very little to acquaint the reader with Henry's father, who is adamantly anti-Japanese. He is a solemn and quiet man who Henry does understand. As his friendship with Keiko grows stronger, Henry's relationship with his father becomes more strained.
Ford could have made the story more historically accurate, but I don't think his intention was to write a story of historical fiction. It is a coming of age story, set in a historical context. It is an easy read and an enjoyable story.
The main focus of the story is the growing friendship between Henry and Keiko, which matures into first love after Keiko's family is moved into an Japanese internment camp. Keiko and Henry are devoted to each other, and vow to write letters and wait for each other until Keiko's family is released.
It is clear from the beginning of the novel that the two eventually lose contact (indeed, the first chapter details Henry's care for his deceased wife, Ethel), but the heart of this book is Henry's recollections of his friendship and coming of age during the 1940's.
Ford tells a good story -- he succeeds in creating characters of Henry and Keiko who you would like to know yourself. They are innocent, loyal and full of life. Likewise, the adults who help them along their journey are also very likeable and Ford gives the reader a glimpse into their personal histories. On the other hand, Ford does very little to acquaint the reader with Henry's father, who is adamantly anti-Japanese. He is a solemn and quiet man who Henry does understand. As his friendship with Keiko grows stronger, Henry's relationship with his father becomes more strained.
Ford could have made the story more historically accurate, but I don't think his intention was to write a story of historical fiction. It is a coming of age story, set in a historical context. It is an easy read and an enjoyable story.