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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Wow, what a side of WWII I wasn't super familiar with.
A quote I could do to apply to my life - "You really should try to like yourself a lot more than you do."
A quote I could do to apply to my life - "You really should try to like yourself a lot more than you do."
While I’m glad I read this well-written book about a Japanese internment camp in China during WWII, I have to admit I found a lot of it boring. Most of the emotions and events were superficial, monotonous, and repetitious.
Uplifting when you think of how people survive and go on. Poignant story of a young British girl in China during WWII
3.5 - I enjoyed getting a look at a different perspective of WWII experience - from a group of teachers and students interned in a prisoner of war camp after Pearl Harbor by a Japanese army that controlled the territory. The treatment was harsh (there are some rape scenes). I did enjoy the girl guide focus and how the story included what happened to the teachers and students long afterwards. The history part of it interested me more than the story I think. The characters weren't that compelling for me aside from a couple of memorable ones that endured terrible things.
A leisurely and surprisingly gentle story, considering the subject matter. I loved reading about how the teachers and students banded together to survive a WWII prison camp. There were many touching moments and a cameo by Eric Liddell. The main character's introspection slowed things down and became a bit repetitive. Still, five stars for this sentimental memoir-like historical fiction.
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a fictionalised version of the true story of what happened to the children and teachers of British-run Chefoo School in China after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in the Second World War. Their school was taken over by the Japanese Army, but they're allowed to stay there for a while. They are moved a couple of times, eventually ending up in a Japanese Internment Camp.
Right from the start the characters steal their way into your heart, especially the two main narrators, teacher Elspeth and schoolgirl Nancy. I really cared about these characters and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to them throughout all their ordeals.
The only criticism I have, knowing some of the history involved, is that the book really just skims the surface of what those poor children and teachers must have gone through - the grim reality must have been far more harrowing.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for allowing me to read this book.
Right from the start the characters steal their way into your heart, especially the two main narrators, teacher Elspeth and schoolgirl Nancy. I really cared about these characters and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to them throughout all their ordeals.
The only criticism I have, knowing some of the history involved, is that the book really just skims the surface of what those poor children and teachers must have gone through - the grim reality must have been far more harrowing.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and the author for allowing me to read this book.
I adored this book! It was hopeful and heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. I felt I was living at Weihsien camp alongside Nancy, Joan, Elspeth, Minnie, Charlie, and the others. I am so curious now to learn more about the history this book is based on. I enjoy reading about new aspects of WWII, and this book is an excellent example of how this can be done well. It was so well written and researched. I could hardly put it down!!