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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I cried through the whole of the last 75 pages. Every single one of them.
I’ve never heard of or anything about this side of the war and these prisoners of war. Thank you, Heather Morris, for giving these brave women voices to the masses!
I’ve never heard of or anything about this side of the war and these prisoners of war. Thank you, Heather Morris, for giving these brave women voices to the masses!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Amazing read. Such an incredible story teller!
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
emotional
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:
N/A
Sisters Under the Rising Sun is a historical novel based on fact and real people. Heather Morris is adept at giving previously unknown heroes and individuals the recognition and platform they deserve.
Norah and John are expats in Singapore as the Japanese invade. They take the decision to send their daughter Sally off with family and they follow behind on HMS Vyner Brooke. Also on board are Norah's sister and a big-hearted group of Australian nurses led by Nesta James. When the Japanese sink their boat, they are all captured and taken as Prisoners of War. Segregated into gendered camps, and moved frequently, this is a story of 3 years of inhumanity and cruelty from their captors but an unbreakable bond formed between the camp inmates. Starved, physically, mentally and sexually assaulted and degraded, the women worked hard to keep their spirits up, not least with a choir and a genuine spirit to do all they could for each other.
I've enjoyed previous books from Heather Morris, not least the opportunity to learn about corners of history that have had less attention. This is a novel with a big heart and it takes the reader on the journey of some very special individuals. It did however, for me, fall a little flat in being so character driven. I would have appreciated more focus on the surroundings, the conditions and how the characters were impacted, beyond their immediate dialogue. Nevertheless, it is a book that I would recommend.
There are some lovely touches at the end , including a follow up as to what happened to the individuals, along with afterwords by some of their relatives.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Laura Carmichael. It is an immersive experience, including clips of the musical pieces that the ladies used to keep them going.
Norah and John are expats in Singapore as the Japanese invade. They take the decision to send their daughter Sally off with family and they follow behind on HMS Vyner Brooke. Also on board are Norah's sister and a big-hearted group of Australian nurses led by Nesta James. When the Japanese sink their boat, they are all captured and taken as Prisoners of War. Segregated into gendered camps, and moved frequently, this is a story of 3 years of inhumanity and cruelty from their captors but an unbreakable bond formed between the camp inmates. Starved, physically, mentally and sexually assaulted and degraded, the women worked hard to keep their spirits up, not least with a choir and a genuine spirit to do all they could for each other.
I've enjoyed previous books from Heather Morris, not least the opportunity to learn about corners of history that have had less attention. This is a novel with a big heart and it takes the reader on the journey of some very special individuals. It did however, for me, fall a little flat in being so character driven. I would have appreciated more focus on the surroundings, the conditions and how the characters were impacted, beyond their immediate dialogue. Nevertheless, it is a book that I would recommend.
There are some lovely touches at the end , including a follow up as to what happened to the individuals, along with afterwords by some of their relatives.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Laura Carmichael. It is an immersive experience, including clips of the musical pieces that the ladies used to keep them going.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, War
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder
Minor: Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No