sducharme 's review for:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

4.0

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Henry, a Chinese man living in Seattle, has just lost his wife of many years. He happens upon a hotel undergoing renovation that triggers memories of his tween years. He befriended a Japanese girl during WWII and became close with her, even during the process of Japanese internment. The narrative switches between the story of his family and his relationship with the girl and his present day process of mourning his wife, rebuilding a strained relationship with his son, and his questions about the events of his past (and whether he should literally revisit old haunts).

Mid-life crisis, history, family. Smoothly written, with both aspects of the story equally engaging.