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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This was a very well-told story of women captured and held in Japanese POW camps. Although the subject was difficult, I liked learning more about this part of WWII. Hearing these stories is important to understand history and survival. Heather Morris does an excellent job of pairing human resilience with the travesties of war times. I especially enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the book, the afterwards from the families, and the recordings of the songs mentioned in the story.
Thank you to Heather Morris and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook! The sound quality was excellent and the narrator, actress Laura Carmichael, was pleasantly familiar.
Thank you to Heather Morris and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audiobook! The sound quality was excellent and the narrator, actress Laura Carmichael, was pleasantly familiar.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
A heartbreaking and informative read. In this the author turns to the Pacific during WW2, telling the stories of a group of Australian Army Nurses (primarily Nesta) and English Civilians (primarily sisters Norah & Ena) who were Japanese prisoners of war. The brutality of the Japanese is portrayed in stark contrast to the stories of friendship and resilience amongst the women.
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
I didn't realize the story was about real people until after reading the final section, which had an impact on my previous assessment of the characters. I didn't think they were too fleshed out, but now knowing that they were real people and the author was likely trying to ensure that she was only sharing fact without speculation makes me consider that a bit differently. It's a moving story, made all the more so by knowing that this is what actually happened to these women. That being said, I'm not generally much of a history enthusiast, so this didn't really appeal to my usual tastes. It was a good read, more of an informational story than an entertaining one, but not one I'm likely to read again.
challenging
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated
Absolutely heartbreaking when you get attached to these women and their story.
During World War II, English musician Norah Chambers sends her daughter Sally away from Singapore to protect her from the advancing Japanese army. Norah stays behind to care for her family. Sister Nesta James, an Australian nurse, also ends up on a ship leaving Singapore, and they experience a harrowing journey. After their ship sinks, they survive at sea and are eventually captured by the Japanese and held in a POW camp. Together, they face unimaginable hardship, showing incredible courage and resilience. "Sisters under the Rising Sun" is a story of women's bravery and friendship in wartime, emphasizing the bond between Norah and Nesta.
I was elated to be granted the privilege of reading an Advance Reader's Copy of "Sisters Under the Rising Sun," written by Heather Morris. This is my third book by this author and certainly won't be my last. I am so grateful for the opportunity extended to me by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
Within the pages of "Sisters Under the Rising Sun," one discovers a heart-rending chronicle, masterfully woven, delving into the lives of several civilian women, children, and a group of gallant Australian nurses. Amidst the abundant plethora of historical fiction works that take place during World War II, the book stands out as a unique storyline that is written exceptionally well.
I was elated to be granted the privilege of reading an Advance Reader's Copy of "Sisters Under the Rising Sun," written by Heather Morris. This is my third book by this author and certainly won't be my last. I am so grateful for the opportunity extended to me by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.
Within the pages of "Sisters Under the Rising Sun," one discovers a heart-rending chronicle, masterfully woven, delving into the lives of several civilian women, children, and a group of gallant Australian nurses. Amidst the abundant plethora of historical fiction works that take place during World War II, the book stands out as a unique storyline that is written exceptionally well.
Struggling between 3.5 and 4. The dialogue often felt forced and superficial but this story needed to be told.
Although Heather Morris takes her readers off the European mainland and transports them to an island in Asia, she still draws upon her stellar ability to write about suffering and hope in the midst of it. Her focus this time is on sisters - nursing sisters - and she examines the belief that struggles expand our compassion for others.
Inspired by the Vyner Brook Tragedy, Morris’s latest book reminds us that even when it feels like the suffering is too much for us to handle, it’s possible for us to keep feeling compassion. Furthermore, it’s possible to help generously. Armed with resilience developed through their career, the ‘sisters’ effectively elevated their own ability to care about and effectively help others who were …. Ugh, I”m going to say it … in the same boat. Don’t throw anything at me!
The Vyner Brook was a merchant ship carrying desperate evacuees from Singapore when it was hit by the Japanese Air Force and sunk. You’ll read about a group of courageous survivors who made it to a remote island … then realize that the sinking was only the beginning of their horrific journey to escape the Japanese invasion of Singapore.
You’ll appreciate a fresh setting and perspective for WW2 history, and your emotions will be high when you are reminded that these are real people and real events. Their resilience and bravery will astound you. I won’t forget Nesta James, Betty Jeffrey and Vivian Bullwinkel any time soon. Thank you for bringing this important piece of history to light so that we can continue to learn from their courage and care.
If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey and/or Three Sisters, you’ll want to source a copy of this book immediately.
The significance of the title was not lost on me, Heather Morris!
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Inspired by the Vyner Brook Tragedy, Morris’s latest book reminds us that even when it feels like the suffering is too much for us to handle, it’s possible for us to keep feeling compassion. Furthermore, it’s possible to help generously. Armed with resilience developed through their career, the ‘sisters’ effectively elevated their own ability to care about and effectively help others who were …. Ugh, I”m going to say it … in the same boat. Don’t throw anything at me!
The Vyner Brook was a merchant ship carrying desperate evacuees from Singapore when it was hit by the Japanese Air Force and sunk. You’ll read about a group of courageous survivors who made it to a remote island … then realize that the sinking was only the beginning of their horrific journey to escape the Japanese invasion of Singapore.
You’ll appreciate a fresh setting and perspective for WW2 history, and your emotions will be high when you are reminded that these are real people and real events. Their resilience and bravery will astound you. I won’t forget Nesta James, Betty Jeffrey and Vivian Bullwinkel any time soon. Thank you for bringing this important piece of history to light so that we can continue to learn from their courage and care.
If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka’s Journey and/or Three Sisters, you’ll want to source a copy of this book immediately.
The significance of the title was not lost on me, Heather Morris!
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
funny
fast-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:
Complicated