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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5 stars for bringing more history to light and especially for all the information in the afterwards section. History, names, and letters from family members.
The authors writing style makes this really horrific story accessible to all without making anyone feel too uncomfortable. I find her style a bit too simplistic, but again, it’s am glad she has brought this story to life.
The authors writing style makes this really horrific story accessible to all without making anyone feel too uncomfortable. I find her style a bit too simplistic, but again, it’s am glad she has brought this story to life.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I found this to be an interesting read. Most WW2 books I have read focus on the destruction, and the war itself, not often have I heard from the point of POWs, specifically from the often under represented view point of women. I enjoyed the development of the characters, and the storyline.
Amazing story, had me turning pages very quickly and kept me engaged throughout the whole story. Tears were shed and i couldn't have picked a better summer read.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Thank you Heather Morris for telling these women’s stories.
This was a story I had never heard. A part of World War II I knew little about and I was immediately engrossed.I knew of the Japanese camps in other parts of south east Asia but nothing of these camps on the islands of Indonesia. The stories of Nesta, Norah, Ena, Vivian, Betty and Margaret are those that should be in history books.
This heartbreaking and heartwarming story is one that should not be missed.
This was a story I had never heard. A part of World War II I knew little about and I was immediately engrossed.I knew of the Japanese camps in other parts of south east Asia but nothing of these camps on the islands of Indonesia. The stories of Nesta, Norah, Ena, Vivian, Betty and Margaret are those that should be in history books.
This heartbreaking and heartwarming story is one that should not be missed.
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not my favorite historical fiction tbqh! I felt like there wasn’t enough backstory on the characters before they were captured, which in turn made it very difficult to get attached and empathize throughout their journey as POWs. A very sad story but I wanted it to pull on my heart strings more?
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Heather Morris adds yet another World War 2 historical fiction* book to her collection. *strongly inspired by true stories and characters.
This book moves away from Europe, but focuses on English/Welsh/Australian main characters. As Singapore falls to the Japanese, various women - including nurses - are crammed aboard a merchant ship to take them to safety. The ship is bombed and the women are shipwrecked to the nearby Sumatran beaches, where they are captured and held in Japanese POW camps.
The stories were extremely sad, and incredibly important to share. The characters felt a bit wooden and at times unrealistic, but I understand that the author wouldn’t want to misrepresent the real experiences that the women faced.
I also find the general lack of diversity in the author’s books disappointing. While it was interesting to read a WW2 story set outside of Europe, it would be even better to read a different narrative of a person of colour. Heather Morris has now got a big fanbase, so I’d love to see her share stories that are relatively unknown in what we’re taught in England.
This book moves away from Europe, but focuses on English/Welsh/Australian main characters. As Singapore falls to the Japanese, various women - including nurses - are crammed aboard a merchant ship to take them to safety. The ship is bombed and the women are shipwrecked to the nearby Sumatran beaches, where they are captured and held in Japanese POW camps.
The stories were extremely sad, and incredibly important to share. The characters felt a bit wooden and at times unrealistic, but I understand that the author wouldn’t want to misrepresent the real experiences that the women faced.
I also find the general lack of diversity in the author’s books disappointing. While it was interesting to read a WW2 story set outside of Europe, it would be even better to read a different narrative of a person of colour. Heather Morris has now got a big fanbase, so I’d love to see her share stories that are relatively unknown in what we’re taught in England.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
No