A review by ashleysilver7
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a difficult book to read, and definitely not a good book to read right before bedtime. It's about a family who lived through Japanese occupation during WWII, and the trials this family had to endure. It also tells about Cecily, the mother, who harbors a lot of guilt for her actions leading up to the Japanese occupation, circa 1935-38. After Japan surrendered to the US in August, they still occupied Malaysia until early September. Afterwards, the British came back to colonize, so it's a very difficult (and not often told) story and hardship. I learned a lot, and I enjoyed the author's prose.
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