Reviews

Evergreen by Naomi Hirahara

msnancy_isreading's review against another edition

informative mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.0

courtney_g1's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

desert_side_notched's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

japxican's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

qu33nofbookz's review against another edition

2.0

This was a decent story but it could have been a little bit better if the author didn't keep trying to skirt around and keep facts away from readers that didn't need to be or keep hinting at events from the first book in the series without telling us what they were, assuming that the reader had already read that book.

I did not like the protagonist at all. I get that she is a product of her time, culture, and circumstances but she still grated on my nerves. All the other characters were quite flat and not very filled out. The second most in-depth character is the protagonist's husband a WWII veteran.

The history and reality that the characters lived was a poor reflection on our past and for those who haven't learned what went on during and after WWII in the US for certain people, it will be an eye-opener.

awishman's review against another edition

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

hayleybeale's review against another edition

4.0

In this sequel to Clark and Division, I found the murder mystery somewhat secondary to the fascinating history that the author smoothly slips into the narrative. As well as the after effects of the war on the Japanese and Japanese American population in Los Angeles, the author also organically incorporates the stories of black migrant workers and veterans. This is the sort of historical fiction that really floats my boat and worked really well as an audiobook.

smosseri's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

rmarcin's review against another edition

4.0

Aki Ito and her family are returning to Los Angeles in 1946 after being resettled to Chicago, where her sister Rose was killed. Newly married, her husband left for war. Now, she works as a nurse's aid, and is shocked to find that an injured man's son is her husband's best friend, Babe Watanabe. She wonders if he is abusing his dad. Later, a murder happens, and Aki decides to hire a PI to investigate Babe. Meanwhile, her marriage is suffering. 
This is a continuation of the Clark & Division story, and the heartbreak of the Japanese American family is still felt throughout this novel. 
The story is both crime novel and a look at the struggles of a Japanese American family in the US after WWII, facing racism and financial issues due to the way they were treated because of Japan's involvement in the war.  

motmoove's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0