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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Jumping back and forth in time from the perspective of two women inextricably linked, this book describes the love of a seventeen year old Japanese woman, Naoko, for an American sailor. Her parents disapprove and choose a different man for her, insisting on an arranged marriage that will bring prosperity to her entire family. When it is discovered that Naoko is pregnant with the sailor’s child, she is cast out in disgrace. Torn between her culture and her heart, she must make unimaginable choices.
The writing is very easy and light, so this book was a quick read for me (finished in one sitting), and totally pulled me in. The ending felt a bit unfinished, but it’s a great story of love, loss, redemption, courage, and charting your own course beyond the deeply rooted traditions and beliefs of family and an entire culture.
The writing is very easy and light, so this book was a quick read for me (finished in one sitting), and totally pulled me in. The ending felt a bit unfinished, but it’s a great story of love, loss, redemption, courage, and charting your own course beyond the deeply rooted traditions and beliefs of family and an entire culture.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Murder, Pregnancy
I liked this book just fine. But not as much as inusualltblove generation jumping ancestor finding stories. I *think* I might have liked it better if I read instead of listening the reader was a bit too dramatic and it felt almost cheesy, or gave a hectic exasperating feeling through the entire book. Also one of the male characters sounded like Kronk and I couldn't get past that.
The story was very compelling, and heartbreaking, but I was less invested than I should have been. I cared deeply about everyone in the terrible horrible birthing house of death (Thank goodness justice was served there!) But there were too many other side characters I didn't care about.
Also, not the point, but Japanese manners are beautiful and gracious and the source of so much pain. Couldn't we be more gracious and simultaneously not cold?
The story was very compelling, and heartbreaking, but I was less invested than I should have been. I cared deeply about everyone in the terrible horrible birthing house of death (Thank goodness justice was served there!) But there were too many other side characters I didn't care about.
Also, not the point, but Japanese manners are beautiful and gracious and the source of so much pain. Couldn't we be more gracious and simultaneously not cold?
I found this to be a bit slow and I was unable to relate to the characters, probably because of the cultural differences
5/5stars
So uhm, I loved this?? I was anticipating this book the past few months and I’m SO HAPPY I found it omg. Full review will come later but in short this was heart breaking, beautifully written, a beautiful story and reminded me of “Three Souls” meets “The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo.” Yes. Let that sink in.
So uhm, I loved this?? I was anticipating this book the past few months and I’m SO HAPPY I found it omg. Full review will come later but in short this was heart breaking, beautifully written, a beautiful story and reminded me of “Three Souls” meets “The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo.” Yes. Let that sink in.
Interesting story, bridging two generations and two cultures. The stigma of a mixed race child and an unplanned pregnancy felt real.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞. 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠.
Ana Johns swept me away with her words and her stunning storytelling. Two women, two countries, thousands of miles and decades of years apart, but there is something that binds them. Japan 1957 Naoko finds herself caught between love, culture, and family obligations. Naoko is 17 and her parents have arranged a marriage for her, a marriage that will help her family’s business out immensely. The problem is Naoko is in love with another man, an American soldier. Not only does this not go over well with her family, but it does not go over well with most of Japan who still sees America as the enemy in this post WWII era. But Naoko is determined to follow her heart, but how much will she lose in the process? The US, present day Tori is taking care of her ailing father when she discovers a letter full of secrets. After her dad passes away she sells his beloved Cadillac and takes a journey to Japan to find out the truth.
Beautifully told, I was completely mesmerized by Miss Johns’ writing. I know I’ve mentioned this before in a review but I find the eastern culture fascinating and I am always excited to read about this part of the world. I truly had no idea there was so much hatred towards America in Japan after WWII, but why wouldn’t there be? I could only imagine how challenging this relationship was for Naoko, although I think she was a little naïve as to what all was implied. I found her to be a bit of a contradiction she was strong and feisty, but had the innocence of a child. What she went through was horrific, and it is incredible that I have read so many books that take place in so many different parts of the world where women are subjected to similar situations. The sad thing is I’d venture to guess things like this are still going on today in certain parts of the world. While I found Naoko’s story more compelling than Tori’s, tori’s story might have been the more important one. I like how the storylines were brought together, but it sure did not end how I was hoping it would. Although there is probably more truth in tragedy.
Ana Johns swept me away with her words and her stunning storytelling. Two women, two countries, thousands of miles and decades of years apart, but there is something that binds them. Japan 1957 Naoko finds herself caught between love, culture, and family obligations. Naoko is 17 and her parents have arranged a marriage for her, a marriage that will help her family’s business out immensely. The problem is Naoko is in love with another man, an American soldier. Not only does this not go over well with her family, but it does not go over well with most of Japan who still sees America as the enemy in this post WWII era. But Naoko is determined to follow her heart, but how much will she lose in the process? The US, present day Tori is taking care of her ailing father when she discovers a letter full of secrets. After her dad passes away she sells his beloved Cadillac and takes a journey to Japan to find out the truth.
Beautifully told, I was completely mesmerized by Miss Johns’ writing. I know I’ve mentioned this before in a review but I find the eastern culture fascinating and I am always excited to read about this part of the world. I truly had no idea there was so much hatred towards America in Japan after WWII, but why wouldn’t there be? I could only imagine how challenging this relationship was for Naoko, although I think she was a little naïve as to what all was implied. I found her to be a bit of a contradiction she was strong and feisty, but had the innocence of a child. What she went through was horrific, and it is incredible that I have read so many books that take place in so many different parts of the world where women are subjected to similar situations. The sad thing is I’d venture to guess things like this are still going on today in certain parts of the world. While I found Naoko’s story more compelling than Tori’s, tori’s story might have been the more important one. I like how the storylines were brought together, but it sure did not end how I was hoping it would. Although there is probably more truth in tragedy.