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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
The Turtle House was a beautiful and intimate read. Sometimes slow paced, but even then it was immersive and thoughtful. Although this could’ve just been Mineko’s story, intertwining her history with Lia’s was sweet and mostly rewarding. I don’t often enjoy books that jump back and forth between timelines but The Turtle House did so in a way that made the story ebb and flow in an interesting way. That being said, I don’t think Lia’s story had the ending it needed, so I wasn’t totally convinced of its importance.
The highlight of the novel was obviously Mineko’s timeless, undying love for Akio and their turtle house. The descriptions of their time spent there together truly captured the innocence and wonder of first love. I could clearly picture the house and the turtles and the magic of the land. The stone minogane Mineko kept with her was a preservation of what could’ve been. It was a weight that she carried throughout her life that wasn’t burdensome, but instead, grounding. Because what is grief if not a reminder of great love?
The highlight of the novel was obviously Mineko’s timeless, undying love for Akio and their turtle house. The descriptions of their time spent there together truly captured the innocence and wonder of first love. I could clearly picture the house and the turtles and the magic of the land. The stone minogane Mineko kept with her was a preservation of what could’ve been. It was a weight that she carried throughout her life that wasn’t burdensome, but instead, grounding. Because what is grief if not a reminder of great love?
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
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
thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy
1999. Lia Cope gives up her fancy job at an architecture firm and moves back home without much explanation. Lia shares a bedroom with her 73-year-old grandma, Mineko, who accidentally burned down her house recently. The duo grows close via late-night conversations retracing Mineko’s life in Japan. Will Lia divulge her secrets? And how will the two react when Mineko is sent to a care facility against her wishes?
TURTLE HOUSE alternates between Mineko’s POV in the 1940s in Japan and Lia’s POV in 1999 in Texas. I find myself more drawn to Mineko’s narrative because of the historical setting in Japan and her character being a curious & “wild” young woman.
Contrary to other historical fiction set in Asia during WW2 that emphasizes women’s perilous situations, I appreciate seeing Mineko’s hopes, dreams, and joys. Of course, there is still heartbreak, but following Mineko’s adventures & growth from the countryside, the US base, to Texas left the most memorable imprint on me.
On the other hand, Lia’s POV starts with a somewhat cookie-cutter Asian American story, involvement with a (creepy) white man
1999. Lia Cope gives up her fancy job at an architecture firm and moves back home without much explanation. Lia shares a bedroom with her 73-year-old grandma, Mineko, who accidentally burned down her house recently. The duo grows close via late-night conversations retracing Mineko’s life in Japan. Will Lia divulge her secrets? And how will the two react when Mineko is sent to a care facility against her wishes?
TURTLE HOUSE alternates between Mineko’s POV in the 1940s in Japan and Lia’s POV in 1999 in Texas. I find myself more drawn to Mineko’s narrative because of the historical setting in Japan and her character being a curious & “wild” young woman.
Contrary to other historical fiction set in Asia during WW2 that emphasizes women’s perilous situations, I appreciate seeing Mineko’s hopes, dreams, and joys. Of course, there is still heartbreak, but following Mineko’s adventures & growth from the countryside, the US base, to Texas left the most memorable imprint on me.
On the other hand, Lia’s POV starts with a somewhat cookie-cutter Asian American story, involvement with a (creepy) white man
emotional
informative
reflective
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:
Complicated
Heard about this book on Currently Reading podcast and put a library hold on it instantly. It is a great story of a grandmother and granddaughter woven into some historical fiction.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
The Turtle House was fine. I liked it well enough to finish but did some skimming, particularly in the Lia chapters. No real plot twists but the writing is fine and the grandmother character makes it worth it. Would have loved more detail on her history.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes