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kitsune's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think anyone would call this a "nice" book, but I definitely think it's an important one.
I knew nothing about the awful things the Japanese did in WW2 prior to reading this, and I'd bet there's a lot of other people that don't know either. It was a real eye opener and a very tragic story.
The book isn't a million miles away from Memoirs of a Geisha, in my opinion, and I feel if you liked that you will like this.
I knew nothing about the awful things the Japanese did in WW2 prior to reading this, and I'd bet there's a lot of other people that don't know either. It was a real eye opener and a very tragic story.
The book isn't a million miles away from Memoirs of a Geisha, in my opinion, and I feel if you liked that you will like this.
meblondie68's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it was an easy read and I loved how the history was told. Highly recommend!
vickyyyyx3's review against another edition
5.0
These book did a really great job of capturing what was happening during this time. The stories although written as non-fiction, I imagine were more horrifying in real life. It kept my attention the whole time!
alwaysraineyday's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible. The story is heartbreaking and tragic, but very well told. it flows so well and forces you to keep reading. An awful piece of history I knew nothing about.
kimalee's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to a 4.5 for being eye-opening to more of the less commonly addressed horrors of war. It helped to better explain the disdain I have witnessed through the years towards the Japanese from my Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean friends, family and acquaintances. Oh how sheltered we truly are here in the USA.
The continued injustices faced by “comfort women” who were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese are appalling. The writing was rudimentary at times, but the author admits he is no expert on the topic, so there’s that.
An example that stood out to me was the introduction and continued use of the word “chinilpa” throughout the story, which based on context I assumed meant “prostitute [by choice]” or something of the sort. It actually denotes those who are Japanese collaborators - “people friendly to Japan.”
Overall it was another book that I more or less couldn’t put down.
The continued injustices faced by “comfort women” who were forced into sex slavery by the Japanese are appalling. The writing was rudimentary at times, but the author admits he is no expert on the topic, so there’s that.
An example that stood out to me was the introduction and continued use of the word “chinilpa” throughout the story, which based on context I assumed meant “prostitute [by choice]” or something of the sort. It actually denotes those who are Japanese collaborators - “people friendly to Japan.”
Overall it was another book that I more or less couldn’t put down.
sarah_faichney's review against another edition
5.0
Very informative and a great read. Really enjoyed it.
an_enthusiastic_reader's review against another edition
2.0
Not entirely convincing characters--more what you'd imagine a white male author would write about this topic of Korean comfort women than an actual Korean person would. Also, cultural appropriation and the invented myth of the Imperial Dragon that is the heart of the story. So it was ok. But I'd rather read a novel like this written by someone else.
nicole_kaiwo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cozyfiend's review against another edition
5.0
Truly a compelling story. The first night I opened this book on my Kindle, I set out to just read a chapter or two to get a feel for the book I had purchased at random because Amazon thought I might like it. I stayed up way too late and almost missed my alarms because I couldn't put this book down. "1 or 2 chapters" turned into 66% of the book.
For background, I am a recent university grad. I even took a few history classes. I majored in literature. Still, the story of the comfort women was one that I was completely unfamiliar with until this book, and that's a shame. It's heart wrenching that over 200,000 women have been repeatedly silenced for so many years. I appreciate the author's work towards helping their voices be heard.
For background, I am a recent university grad. I even took a few history classes. I majored in literature. Still, the story of the comfort women was one that I was completely unfamiliar with until this book, and that's a shame. It's heart wrenching that over 200,000 women have been repeatedly silenced for so many years. I appreciate the author's work towards helping their voices be heard.
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