A review by romonko
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is a very well-written, immersive novel that examines a time that was not familiar to me.  It is set in Malaya during WWII when Japan took it over from the British.  JuJube and her family lost the life of privilege that they had during the colonization by Britain, and become a family that is scared, starving and that has lost hope and a family that had to fight for their existence under the Japanese.  The novel is full of graphic and poignant moments and it examines themes like family, social status, unfriendly occupation, death and despair. The story is one that needs to be told, but I found it difficult to listen to.  I did listen to this on audiobook, and this type of story does not lend itself to that medium as well as it should.  I found that I had trouble getting through the story because of the graphic descriptions, and because I did not like any of the characters in it at all.  I could not sympathize with Cecily as much as I wanted to.  I couldn't understand JuJube and Cecily's younger daughter, Jasmine.  The only character that I sympathized with was Abel, her son.  The book illustrates clearly the consequences of keeping very dangerous secrets.  The ripple effect works it way down through the entire family and all friends and acquaintances with dire consequences. The book is compelling and quite unforgettable, and grips the reader by the throat until you read the final, bitter words.  .  
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