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candacesiegle_greedyreader 's review for:
The Turtle House
by Amanda Churchill
It's hard to believe that "The Turtle House" is a first novel. It's very confident, and Amanda Churchill skillfully manages the dual timelines of 1999 Texas and 1930s and 40s Japan.
When the book opens, Lia has abandoned her juicy job with a top architecture firm to return to her tiny Texas hometown and share a room at her parents' with her Japanese grandmother, who's there because she burned her house down. It's pretty clear that Minnie did this on purpose but everyone is blaming it on her age. Minnie is a tough chain-smoking gal who does not fit the classic image of a Japanese war bride.
But as Churchill begins to explore Minnie's past, we see that she has never been typical, challenging her family's expectations of a daughter. But these traits will bring her to her great love, the elegant son of a wealthy family with whom she an almost magical bond. They meet at an abandoned house they call the Turtle House, a place of great beauty and peace. So how did Mineko transform into Minnie, on her way to a Texas ranch with a nasty husband and two small children?
Lia and Minnie are a turning points in their lives and the way they challenge and support each other makes for a captivating story. As it always seems, one story line is stronger than the other. Minnie is an irresistible force, but Lia's stream will hold your interest as well. A delicious read, "The Turtle House" is the work of a fine new talent.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When the book opens, Lia has abandoned her juicy job with a top architecture firm to return to her tiny Texas hometown and share a room at her parents' with her Japanese grandmother, who's there because she burned her house down. It's pretty clear that Minnie did this on purpose but everyone is blaming it on her age. Minnie is a tough chain-smoking gal who does not fit the classic image of a Japanese war bride.
But as Churchill begins to explore Minnie's past, we see that she has never been typical, challenging her family's expectations of a daughter. But these traits will bring her to her great love, the elegant son of a wealthy family with whom she an almost magical bond. They meet at an abandoned house they call the Turtle House, a place of great beauty and peace. So how did Mineko transform into Minnie, on her way to a Texas ranch with a nasty husband and two small children?
Lia and Minnie are a turning points in their lives and the way they challenge and support each other makes for a captivating story. As it always seems, one story line is stronger than the other. Minnie is an irresistible force, but Lia's stream will hold your interest as well. A delicious read, "The Turtle House" is the work of a fine new talent.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.