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i_book_therefore_i_am's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
llenox's review against another edition
3.5
The setting of Jewish refugees in Shanghai and the Japanese occupation of China in the 1940s is what interested me. I liked the first half of this book more than the second.
prettypious's review against another edition
4.0
Great historical fiction mixed with a compelling love story. I love historical fiction so I’m biased a bit. I will do a full review after book club but I highly recommend for no other reason that it really is told in a way that makes you care about the characters and see how they turn out. For me it was a mix of Pachinko and The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a little for the content and a little for the writing style. If you enjoyed either of those books, I think you’d like this one.
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
5.0
What a touching story, left me almost in tears at some points of this book! It was so well-written, the pacing was perfect and there were enough details about the war and Shanghai during the time.
The Japanese occupation of China, and the atrocities they'd committed against the Chinese people, were absolutely inhumane, and it's stories like this that help us remember the pain so many people went through. Midst of this is Ernest Reismann, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany - another story of pain and sadness. His and Aiyi's love story is passionate, with their love for music bringing them together while the world around them (literally) burned.
Their love goes through so many ups and downs, and so do their individual lives. Their wealth, their lives, and their health are all taken away by the Japanese and the war, and my heart was breaking. Love is their only solace, I enjoyed this book! I just felt like the ending was a bit abrupt.
The Japanese occupation of China, and the atrocities they'd committed against the Chinese people, were absolutely inhumane, and it's stories like this that help us remember the pain so many people went through. Midst of this is Ernest Reismann, a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany - another story of pain and sadness. His and Aiyi's love story is passionate, with their love for music bringing them together while the world around them (literally) burned.
Their love goes through so many ups and downs, and so do their individual lives. Their wealth, their lives, and their health are all taken away by the Japanese and the war, and my heart was breaking. Love is their only solace, I enjoyed this book! I just felt like the ending was a bit abrupt.
imogroos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
frasergreen's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.5
tmonti45's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this story. I was caught off guard at the end with the twist. I thought all the characters were beautifully written
jhovanabasto's review against another edition
challenging
medium-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? Yes
3.0