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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I’m still in shock on what I just read. As an Author’s debut this novel blew me away completely. Naoko’s story was compelling, tragic, and heart wrenching. This character when through so much and had so much strength. The plot twist in this book that was based off true events has me currently researching that time and what happened. I had no idea. This book is totally underrated and everyone needs to read it
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for sending me a copy of Ana Johns’ The Woman in the White Kimono to read and review.
The story follows two narrative strands: present day Tori Kovac, an American journalist, who is tasked with caring for her ailing father, and Naoko Nakamura a Japanese woman who is navigating the balance between honoring her family and culture by marrying a man chosen for her by her family, and honoring her heart by marrying – a gaijin, or American man – for love. Kovac uncovers information about her father’s past that forces her to investigate the history of Japan and her father’s place in Japan as part of the American Navy. Nakamura's choice changes the course of her fate in dramatic fashion.
For those well versed in historical fiction novels with intertwining storylines, the first two-thirds of this book follow a predictable pattern. We bounce between Kovac and Nakamura and their respective struggles, all the while learning more and more information hinting at the connection between the two women. In the last third of the novel, the story takes an unpredictable and dark turn. It is full of heart and emotion, and it draws the reader in deeply. As a new mom, parts of this story were difficult for me to read, but there was much fulfilment in pushing through those heart-wrenching chapters. The ending is what moved this novel from three stars to four for me.
Johns’ uses her own family history as her inspiration for The Woman in the White Kimono. As such, you can feel the power of the story come through in her words. Her research was meticulous, and she included wonderful insight into 1950s Japanese culture, food, architecture, and etiquette. Her use of traditional Japanese words (with explanations for clarity) enriched the reading experience.
I recommend this book for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha and historical fiction. There is mystery, a love story, strong female characters, fascinating insight into Japanese culture, and lots of emotion (it’s not often that I openly weep reading a book, but I certainly did at the end of this one). Thank you again to HarperCollins Canada for sending me this book.
The story follows two narrative strands: present day Tori Kovac, an American journalist, who is tasked with caring for her ailing father, and Naoko Nakamura a Japanese woman who is navigating the balance between honoring her family and culture by marrying a man chosen for her by her family, and honoring her heart by marrying – a gaijin, or American man – for love. Kovac uncovers information about her father’s past that forces her to investigate the history of Japan and her father’s place in Japan as part of the American Navy. Nakamura's choice changes the course of her fate in dramatic fashion.
For those well versed in historical fiction novels with intertwining storylines, the first two-thirds of this book follow a predictable pattern. We bounce between Kovac and Nakamura and their respective struggles, all the while learning more and more information hinting at the connection between the two women. In the last third of the novel, the story takes an unpredictable and dark turn. It is full of heart and emotion, and it draws the reader in deeply. As a new mom, parts of this story were difficult for me to read, but there was much fulfilment in pushing through those heart-wrenching chapters. The ending is what moved this novel from three stars to four for me.
Johns’ uses her own family history as her inspiration for The Woman in the White Kimono. As such, you can feel the power of the story come through in her words. Her research was meticulous, and she included wonderful insight into 1950s Japanese culture, food, architecture, and etiquette. Her use of traditional Japanese words (with explanations for clarity) enriched the reading experience.
I recommend this book for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha and historical fiction. There is mystery, a love story, strong female characters, fascinating insight into Japanese culture, and lots of emotion (it’s not often that I openly weep reading a book, but I certainly did at the end of this one). Thank you again to HarperCollins Canada for sending me this book.
Ilus ja valus lugu, tulvil mõistujutte ja vihjavat keelt, nagu jaapanlastele kohane. Nii nagu Eestis teavad kõik rehepapilugusid, mõistavad jaapani inimesed teineteist poole pealt, kui mainitakse "nagu selles draakoniloos/rebaseloos/tiigriloos".
Hoolimata teadmisest, et Jaapan on äärmiselt tugevate traditsioonidega maa, hämmastab ikkagi, kui suur rõhk on seal välisel. Teetseremoonia peab olema Täiuslik, kamm juustes millimeetri pealt paigas, alati valitud täpselt õiged sõnad, sekundi pealt õiged ajahetked millegi tegemiseks. Ühel hetkel räägitakse hinge tähtsusest, järgmisel "müüakse" tütar äripartneri pojale. Rassism on tohutu (tänapäeval ilmselt enam (vähemalt suurlinnades) mitte). Vale nahatooniga lapsed on põlatud, valesti armunud visatakse ühiskonna heidikute sekka. Nojah, mitte et see mujal maailmas teisiti oleks, lihtsalt selles raamatus tuli see väga teravalt esile.
Lugu ise aga on väga kaasahaarav. Taolised ajas rändavad jutustused on nii mõnusad. Kooli ajalootunnid on surmigavad, kuid sellised lood tekitavad ajaloo vastu sügavat huvi. Pole üksnes lahingute ajad ja kohad ning poliitiliste lepingute sõlmimine, vaid taustaks on inimene, ühiskond, selle muutused.
Tekst on voolav ja tõlge vaimustav ning raamatu lõpust leiab autori märkused loos esinenud kohtade ja prototüüpide kohta, mis andis olulise lisatähenduse, nii et viimaks tuli ka hr Google taustainfo leidmiseks appi.
Hoolimata teadmisest, et Jaapan on äärmiselt tugevate traditsioonidega maa, hämmastab ikkagi, kui suur rõhk on seal välisel. Teetseremoonia peab olema Täiuslik, kamm juustes millimeetri pealt paigas, alati valitud täpselt õiged sõnad, sekundi pealt õiged ajahetked millegi tegemiseks. Ühel hetkel räägitakse hinge tähtsusest, järgmisel "müüakse" tütar äripartneri pojale. Rassism on tohutu (tänapäeval ilmselt enam (vähemalt suurlinnades) mitte). Vale nahatooniga lapsed on põlatud, valesti armunud visatakse ühiskonna heidikute sekka. Nojah, mitte et see mujal maailmas teisiti oleks, lihtsalt selles raamatus tuli see väga teravalt esile.
Lugu ise aga on väga kaasahaarav. Taolised ajas rändavad jutustused on nii mõnusad. Kooli ajalootunnid on surmigavad, kuid sellised lood tekitavad ajaloo vastu sügavat huvi. Pole üksnes lahingute ajad ja kohad ning poliitiliste lepingute sõlmimine, vaid taustaks on inimene, ühiskond, selle muutused.
Tekst on voolav ja tõlge vaimustav ning raamatu lõpust leiab autori märkused loos esinenud kohtade ja prototüüpide kohta, mis andis olulise lisatähenduse, nii et viimaks tuli ka hr Google taustainfo leidmiseks appi.
I liked the back and forth between 1950’s and present day to put the story together. I’m intrigued by the actual history that the book is based on.
(Kindle) I loved this story. It’s half past, half present day. It’s a dip into post war Japan. Fascinating read!
(Audio) rereading it for book club. I am not a fan of the way this book is read out. I
(Audio) rereading it for book club. I am not a fan of the way this book is read out. I
Based on actual post-WWII happenings, The Woman in the White Kimono tells the story of a journalist searching for information about her father’s past during his time in Japan after he passed. Overall, I quite liked the book. I’m a huge fan of Japanese culture so I was immediately drawn to it and in that aspect, the story did not disappoint. I definitely didn’t expect the direction it took but I’m glad that I learned more about the stories of women who had undergone similar atrocities back then. An intriguing read for sure!
This book pulled me in from the very first sentences. I loved the writing - it's lyrical, but not overly so (like some of the books I tried and DNFed). The story itself is so beautiful and at first is full of hope. At end, however, the heartbreak is real as were the tears on my face.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not a fan. Why is the kimono white? Makes no sense. Japanese main character seems dumb and weird, American main character not very developed. Japanese racism is shocking and horrifying, American racism is invisible.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty good, I think it was a little sad, and I flew through it. Split POVs was good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death