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A review by mj_trearty
Finger Bone by Takami Nieda, Hiroki Takahashi
5.0
This is a very powerful little book and an interesting view on WW2 from a Japanese perspective as they failed to defeat the allies on Papua New Guinea.
My rating is not based on enjoyment, it is a difficult read dealing with the traumas of war, but it is brilliant in its poetic language, its clear depiction of the effects and its strong anti-war sentiment and that is why it has 5*. As a comparison I would say it is in a similar mold to At Night All Blood is Black with the physical and psychological effects of war, though this one is much more poetic and better, in my humble opinion.
The story is mostly linear, aside from one or two flashbacks, and tells the narrator's story from being taken to PNG, the traversing of the island and attempted assault on the west where the American Army base was. Our protagonist is injured in battle and is taken to a field hospital where he witnesses the plethora of injured and diseased soldiers, the lack of medical supplies and the hopelessness of the situation.
There are lovely relationships formed, but being at war we know they are not going to last, there is a nod to the power of human spirit but also the limits where that spirit will eventually break, and the interactions with local tribes is insightful as well as seeing a part of the war that is not often told. We know about the atomic bombs and the Pearl Harbour attacks but apart from that my knowledge of WW2 does not extend to the Pacific Ocean.
Overall a very compelling and worthwhile read, though not a happy one.
My rating is not based on enjoyment, it is a difficult read dealing with the traumas of war, but it is brilliant in its poetic language, its clear depiction of the effects and its strong anti-war sentiment and that is why it has 5*. As a comparison I would say it is in a similar mold to At Night All Blood is Black with the physical and psychological effects of war, though this one is much more poetic and better, in my humble opinion.
The story is mostly linear, aside from one or two flashbacks, and tells the narrator's story from being taken to PNG, the traversing of the island and attempted assault on the west where the American Army base was. Our protagonist is injured in battle and is taken to a field hospital where he witnesses the plethora of injured and diseased soldiers, the lack of medical supplies and the hopelessness of the situation.
There are lovely relationships formed, but being at war we know they are not going to last, there is a nod to the power of human spirit but also the limits where that spirit will eventually break, and the interactions with local tribes is insightful as well as seeing a part of the war that is not often told. We know about the atomic bombs and the Pearl Harbour attacks but apart from that my knowledge of WW2 does not extend to the Pacific Ocean.
Overall a very compelling and worthwhile read, though not a happy one.