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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This began slow but picked up the further into I got. This was a very different version of a WWII fiction. It was a very beautiful and sad version of that time. I really enjoyed this by the end.
British and Australian nurses in WWII were imprisoned by the Japanese and deported to islands.
The story of their survival. Sometimes very repetitive and slow to get through.
The story of their survival. Sometimes very repetitive and slow to get through.
This is the 3rd book that I have read by this author. The other stories held me captivated and moved me as I heard these heart wrenching tales. This book did not grip me in the same way. I had a very hard time connecting with the characters. Although it was another sad story about the victims of war, I was pretty bored reading it. I did finish it and I was happy with the ending but her other books are much better. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy to read.
Read as a Better Reader Review Preview - A well-timed piece of historical fiction given the newly unveiled statue honouring Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel at the Australian War Memorial. I really enjoyed this very special book written to honour the stories, bravery and friendship of women prisoners of war held by the Japanese in internment camps in Indonesia during WWII.
In her wonderful authorship, Heather Morris has personalised and humanised the horrific experiences of a number of women and children within this work, allowing the reader to connect with the positive personal strength, courage and resilience needed to survive such an ordeal, rather than overwhelm us with the horror of bombing, capture, rape, starvation, illness and deprivation. The epilogue contains information on the women and families that the book has focussed around and lets the reader know that to be remembered, stories must be told. This was an important and special story that has been written beautifully and thoughtfully. Definitely a good read.
In her wonderful authorship, Heather Morris has personalised and humanised the horrific experiences of a number of women and children within this work, allowing the reader to connect with the positive personal strength, courage and resilience needed to survive such an ordeal, rather than overwhelm us with the horror of bombing, capture, rape, starvation, illness and deprivation. The epilogue contains information on the women and families that the book has focussed around and lets the reader know that to be remembered, stories must be told. This was an important and special story that has been written beautifully and thoughtfully. Definitely a good read.
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While I really enjoyed learning more about women interned in a Japanese POW camp during WWII, I found the writing to be a bit generic. There was just no real depth to the dialogue and it wasn't until the end of the book, due to the writing, that I was able to get a clear picture of just how dire the situation was for these women. But the story itself is intriguing. I did find it very interesting to read about how these women used music to lift their morale and appreciate that several of the story's main characters were actual women in the camps.
emotional
hopeful
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
The harrowing story of POWs in Indonesia during WWII. There were a lot of characters and it was hard to keep them straight at first but it became easier after the first few chapters. I loved how at the end of the book the author wrote about the real life people who inspired the characters and told how their lives turned out.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story being told is incredible and very sad but I didn’t love how the book flowed and the dialogue, it made it quite difficult to read. Unusual cause this author I normally love the writing style but not this one