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vestidadecolores's review against another edition
5.0
I grabbed this book with some restrains, Caucasian English Male talking through the voice of a Korean Repressed and Abused Female. I didn't quite buy it.
Bill Andrews shut my mouth big time. He doesn't try to understand the female mind, he just goes through by talking about the "facts" and not trying to explain the in depth feelings of the protagonist. I loved this, he let me the struggle of trying to know what I would have felt in that situation and explore it by myself.
Also, he finishes the book by talking a bit of history as well, explaining the true facts about this comfort woman and how they are still marching every Wednesday for the acknowledge of what happened to them, still shut. Still not recognized by Japanese government.
I recommend this book (I recommend it so much I already talked to friends and family as to urge them to read it).
Bill Andrews shut my mouth big time. He doesn't try to understand the female mind, he just goes through by talking about the "facts" and not trying to explain the in depth feelings of the protagonist. I loved this, he let me the struggle of trying to know what I would have felt in that situation and explore it by myself.
Also, he finishes the book by talking a bit of history as well, explaining the true facts about this comfort woman and how they are still marching every Wednesday for the acknowledge of what happened to them, still shut. Still not recognized by Japanese government.
I recommend this book (I recommend it so much I already talked to friends and family as to urge them to read it).
nyfrea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
shanbreads's review against another edition
3.0
Recived this book from netgally and the publisher in exchange for an honest review this has in no way affected my opinion.
It is a a story about 2 korean sisters in the 2nd World War,who are duped into believing they were going to work in a factory, by the Japanese Soldiers who were in occupation . Instead the sisters who were early teenagers were taken along with thousends of other wemen from Korea,China,Malaysia etc To be" Comfort Wemen" Prostitutes for the Soldiers against their will..While the story was shocking, I felt the Author was trying to be as sensitive as the story line allowed, the book reflects athrocities, that are prevalent in wars, including current conflicts around the world, so man has learnt nothing, and wemen continue to bear the brunt of abuse, and degredation, but the book also demonstrates the power of survival, courage,and continuing love and dignity. and how the Dragon Comb, continued throughout the book to be a powerful beacon of hope,and connection with past and future generations.While offering the recipient of the comb special powers, that like a tailisman offerred comfort and belief that it would protect the holder of the comb, I found the story distressing and humbling at the same time. friends have asked to borrow it after my having told them about it.
The one criticisum of the narrative I found very frustrating, was the Author wrote sentances in Korean or Japanese, with no reference as to what
It is a a story about 2 korean sisters in the 2nd World War,who are duped into believing they were going to work in a factory, by the Japanese Soldiers who were in occupation . Instead the sisters who were early teenagers were taken along with thousends of other wemen from Korea,China,Malaysia etc To be" Comfort Wemen" Prostitutes for the Soldiers against their will..While the story was shocking, I felt the Author was trying to be as sensitive as the story line allowed, the book reflects athrocities, that are prevalent in wars, including current conflicts around the world, so man has learnt nothing, and wemen continue to bear the brunt of abuse, and degredation, but the book also demonstrates the power of survival, courage,and continuing love and dignity. and how the Dragon Comb, continued throughout the book to be a powerful beacon of hope,and connection with past and future generations.While offering the recipient of the comb special powers, that like a tailisman offerred comfort and belief that it would protect the holder of the comb, I found the story distressing and humbling at the same time. friends have asked to borrow it after my having told them about it.
The one criticisum of the narrative I found very frustrating, was the Author wrote sentances in Korean or Japanese, with no reference as to what
castlelass's review against another edition
3.0
This book is historical fiction of the life of a "comfort woman," a euphemism for a sex slave, to the Japanese military during WWII. The main character tells her story to her granddaughter, who had been adopted at birth by an American family, and had travelled to Korea to seek her birth mother. I read it quickly, and found it compelling. I wondered if a grandmother would tell her story in such detail to her granddaughter, but dismissed it as a plot device. I had known of the existence of these women but had never internalized that it meant forced sexual slavery for many thousands of Asian women. I also learned a bit about Korean history. As you may expect from the subject matter, this book is not for children or for anyone triggered by descriptions of rape or battery.
readinggrrl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a riveting tale of courage and triumph. Beautiful and well written this story tells the tragic history of Korea and what happened there. It is sad, hopeful, beautiful and full of life. I couldn't put it down and was sucked in from the beginning. William Andrews captures feel of this tale and really makes you believe it. I almost forgot I was reading a book of fiction. The characters jumped off the page and I could see the dust and feel the pain, courage and spirit to survive.
rinarainkiss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dlmiles's review against another edition
4.0
didn't think I would get through this book so quickly, but I really liked it! It was outside of my genre, and it was refreshing to have multiple strong female characters in one book, talking to each other about something other than a man. The tragedy they face really shows that humans can overcome just about anything, and that even through that tragedy life can still be good.
I just wish there was a little warning somewhere about the triggering events in the book (maybe I missed it? The description on Goodreads is VERY different from the one on Netgalley). I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone triggered by sexual assault (or assault in general) as there are a few graphic scenes in the book.
That said, the descriptions in this novel were wonderful, coming from someone who has never been to any of the locations. Andrews created a full picture, from sights to sounds to smells and I found myself immersed in the world.
I just wish there was a little warning somewhere about the triggering events in the book (maybe I missed it? The description on Goodreads is VERY different from the one on Netgalley). I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone triggered by sexual assault (or assault in general) as there are a few graphic scenes in the book.
That said, the descriptions in this novel were wonderful, coming from someone who has never been to any of the locations. Andrews created a full picture, from sights to sounds to smells and I found myself immersed in the world.
rinarw's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0