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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Turtle House" is a stunning Asian historical fiction novel that weaves together the lives of two women, Mineko and Lia, across different timelines and continents. The story begins in pre-war Japan, where Mineko's life is forever changed by the events leading up to World War II. Decades later, her granddaughter Lia finds herself drawn to the same Texas landscape where Mineko once lived, and the two women form a deep and abiding connection.
Through the author's masterful prose, the reader is transported to the lush landscapes of Japan and the dusty plains of Texas, with descriptions so vivid that it's impossible not to feel immersed in the world of the story. But "The Turtle House" is more than just a beautifully written novel - it's a powerful exploration of the secrets and silences that can both bind and divide women across generations.
Mineko and Lia's stories are intertwined by the painful experiences they've endured at the hands of men, and the ways in which they've learned to navigate their trauma. As they find their way towards each other, they must confront the secrets they've kept hidden for so long, and forge a new path forward.
The dual timelines are expertly handled, with each narrative thread complementing the other in unexpected and powerful ways. The audiobook narration is also noteworthy, with a cast of narrators who bring the characters to life with nuance and depth.
Overall, "The Turtle House" is a breathtakingly beautiful novel that will resonate with fans of historical fiction, family dramas, and stories of female resilience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.
Through the author's masterful prose, the reader is transported to the lush landscapes of Japan and the dusty plains of Texas, with descriptions so vivid that it's impossible not to feel immersed in the world of the story. But "The Turtle House" is more than just a beautifully written novel - it's a powerful exploration of the secrets and silences that can both bind and divide women across generations.
Mineko and Lia's stories are intertwined by the painful experiences they've endured at the hands of men, and the ways in which they've learned to navigate their trauma. As they find their way towards each other, they must confront the secrets they've kept hidden for so long, and forge a new path forward.
The dual timelines are expertly handled, with each narrative thread complementing the other in unexpected and powerful ways. The audiobook narration is also noteworthy, with a cast of narrators who bring the characters to life with nuance and depth.
Overall, "The Turtle House" is a breathtakingly beautiful novel that will resonate with fans of historical fiction, family dramas, and stories of female resilience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
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:
Yes
Loved!!!! Grandmother and granddaughter learning about each other’s “hidden” lives.
The story lacked momentum and I found it difficult to connect with both of the main characters.
Confession time! I LOVE stories about the Asian experience especially during WWII. The Turtle House tells the story of Mineko, a young Japanese woman during WWII and then her life in North Texas.
Interspersed with Mineko’s story is the struggle of her granddaughter, Lia, who has quit her job in Austin and has returned home to live with her family.
Mineko is a great character. She’s suffered loss but it doesn’t change her spirit. She loves hard but not in a smothering way. She takes her role as a mother seriously and does whatever she can for her children, providing for them and also sheltering them from some of the harsher aspects of life.
Ms. Churchill based The Turtle House on her own grandmothers experience. There was so much I learned from this book about the Japanese during the US occupation after the war. I also learned more of how the Japanese were treated once they relocated to the US.
This is a debut novel but it was very well written. The harsher aspects of the story were handled with so much finesse. I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel and won’t soon forget Mineko. I also loved the references to Plano, Fort Worth and Austin. It’s always fun to have been where characters go in books!
Thank you to @thoughtsfromapage , Cindy Burnett, and @harperbooks for this fabulous story! I was able to read an advanced copy as part of the Thoughts From a Page podcast lit lovers patreon first reads program and I also got to meet virtually with Ms. Churchill to hear her discuss the book.
Interspersed with Mineko’s story is the struggle of her granddaughter, Lia, who has quit her job in Austin and has returned home to live with her family.
Mineko is a great character. She’s suffered loss but it doesn’t change her spirit. She loves hard but not in a smothering way. She takes her role as a mother seriously and does whatever she can for her children, providing for them and also sheltering them from some of the harsher aspects of life.
Ms. Churchill based The Turtle House on her own grandmothers experience. There was so much I learned from this book about the Japanese during the US occupation after the war. I also learned more of how the Japanese were treated once they relocated to the US.
This is a debut novel but it was very well written. The harsher aspects of the story were handled with so much finesse. I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel and won’t soon forget Mineko. I also loved the references to Plano, Fort Worth and Austin. It’s always fun to have been where characters go in books!
Thank you to @thoughtsfromapage , Cindy Burnett, and @harperbooks for this fabulous story! I was able to read an advanced copy as part of the Thoughts From a Page podcast lit lovers patreon first reads program and I also got to meet virtually with Ms. Churchill to hear her discuss the book.
I know I should prob rate this a little higher because there wasn’t anything really wrong with this book except for the fact that there also wasn’t much super compelling about it either.
It was “just fine” and in a year when I’m reading such great stories that’s just not good enough.
The story was fine and some passages were lovely to read but overall I wasn’t driven to care all that much about the characters or the plot. This is a forgettable story.
It was “just fine” and in a year when I’m reading such great stories that’s just not good enough.
The story was fine and some passages were lovely to read but overall I wasn’t driven to care all that much about the characters or the plot. This is a forgettable story.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
4.5. The dual timeline is a brilliant writing strategy as Mineko looks back and tells her granddaughter the story of her life. I had many feelings as the story unfolded, about Minnie, her kids, the situation, etc. There was one part of the story that wasn’t resolved, but things were different in 1999 and perhaps resolution wasn’t possible?
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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