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sevbetweenpages's review against another edition
4.0
The book is set during 1940-50s, World War II, and that's what made me want to read it the most. I like how the characters and events are portrayed and it really is eye-opening. I also like the writing style. If you like a touch of history in romance stories, I can really recommend this.
lizokeefe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The traveling back and forth in time is intruding, but the reader has to pay attention. None of the characters are loveable, but they are all interesting.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, despite not particularly liking any of the characters. Set in Hong Kong just before WWII and then during the war, then 10 years after, the book was a great insight into life in HK
nbynw's review against another edition
3.0
5 stars for setting and time period.
2 stars for storytelling/writing.
2 stars for storytelling/writing.
cemoses's review against another edition
3.0
The part about Hong Kong before and during the war was somewhat interesting. I saw no point in the second story which takes place in the nineteen fifties.
kkrier1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wintermute9's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Takes place in Hong Kong during and after WWII. Good story. War and hardship seems to bring out both the best of some people and the worst of others. Impressive first novel. Sometimes it was hard to keep the sequence of events straight.
jenmooremo's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting read. I little slow starting out and then just enough all along to string you along to know the whole truth in the end...although I'm not sure you learn the whole truth, just enough, but then again why should we know more than the character's actually do?
emmadkreads's review against another edition
4.0
The narrative was split into Hong Kong during WWII and the post-war city 10 years later. The characters in this novel were very interesting. You could see how they were changed by the choices they had to make during the war and how they chose to cope with what had happened in their city. This book was the first I've read about WWII that is set in Asia--very interesting.