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oceansunset's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
This may not be the most perfectly written memoir; the translation seemed to simplify the writing a bit more, but these technicalities do not change the fact that the themes, historical facts, and the overall content of this book are compelling and vital especially that as of today, many people are not familiar with comfort women and the atrocities Japan has committed during their occupation. especially that Japan continues to perpetuate historical revisionism and refuse to take accountability for their wartime actions. In a time where people forget their history, memoirs such as this one by Lola Rosa serve as a reminder to not let history repeat itself. In the Philippines alone, a statue was built to honor comfort women but was then dismantled during Duterte's regime to give way, apparently, to a drainage project. Other reports, however, mentioned that it was removed to avoid antagonising Japan during a summit back in 2018. The last report I have read about the statue is that it has been stolen and is nowhere to be found.
It may have been decades, but my heart goes out to all the victims of this atrocious part of history. As a woman, it's sickening to read these gruesome details, and even moreso as a Filipno woman who is reading the accounts of her kababayan. But as difficult as it may be, it is important. May this serve as a reminder that history must not be erased and that it is through remembering that we can continue to fight for justice that has been long overdue for these women.
It may have been decades, but my heart goes out to all the victims of this atrocious part of history. As a woman, it's sickening to read these gruesome details, and even moreso as a Filipno woman who is reading the accounts of her kababayan. But as difficult as it may be, it is important. May this serve as a reminder that history must not be erased and that it is through remembering that we can continue to fight for justice that has been long overdue for these women.
angelicasbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Very powerful and emotional book. We should never erase the sufferings of all the comfort women in the history.
"But I am still hoping to see justice done before I die"
I'm sorry Lola Rosa, but until now justice has yet to be served.
"But I am still hoping to see justice done before I die"
I'm sorry Lola Rosa, but until now justice has yet to be served.
lambias's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
no rating necessary. thank you for sharing your story Lola Rosa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Rape
mezzythedragon's review against another edition
4.0
Too harrowing for words. It is unfortunate that Ms. Henson passed away before any real justice was served. It never ceases to infuriate me how men can be sadistically cruel to women, and in Henson’s case, it’s not just the Japanese soldiers but also her husband. And what’s worse, some women are complicit. Also, I never understood why people think women who come forward with their stories are only doing it to get famous; okay, if that were the case, why on Earth would they pick something as traumatic and unspeakable as rape to do that, especially when women are shamed and threatened for speaking out??!!
But good on Henson for speaking out; it helped others come forward, and this is a story that should never be forgotten.
But good on Henson for speaking out; it helped others come forward, and this is a story that should never be forgotten.
anakinnn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Torture, and Sexual violence
darlinglu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
4.75
I read this book in one sitting as it was really difficult to put down.
All the horrible things that has happened to Rosa, as well as the other comfort women is incredibly heartwrenching.
I knew about the horrific things the Japanese has done, however, reading them from a victim's point of view brings a heavy cloud over my shoulders.
While the book certainly doesn't have the best writing. The story, itself, is really compelling.
As I read through this, I can't help but shed a tear for their sufferings. It is hard to imagine how much burden and sorrow the comfort women held through out their life. The fear of being held captive during the war, the feeling of being violated again and again, worrying for their loved ones and losing your self-confidence and self-respect for yourself because of what has been done to you that is completely out of your control is a miserable experience to face, even after the war has ended.
I hope for all the comfort women, dead or alive, to find their peace and justice.
All the horrible things that has happened to Rosa, as well as the other comfort women is incredibly heartwrenching.
I knew about the horrific things the Japanese has done, however, reading them from a victim's point of view brings a heavy cloud over my shoulders.
While the book certainly doesn't have the best writing. The story, itself, is really compelling.
As I read through this, I can't help but shed a tear for their sufferings. It is hard to imagine how much burden and sorrow the comfort women held through out their life. The fear of being held captive during the war, the feeling of being violated again and again, worrying for their loved ones and losing your self-confidence and self-respect for yourself because of what has been done to you that is completely out of your control is a miserable experience to face, even after the war has ended.
I hope for all the comfort women, dead or alive, to find their peace and justice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Infidelity, War, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, and Child abuse
geesammy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
I am shook by both the savagery and the strength that human beings are capable of.
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