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abbie_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
How We Disappeared depicts the horrific way women were treated both during and after the war. One of the timelines follows Wang Di, a woman forced into working as a ‘comfort woman’ for the Japanese army during the occupation of Singapore. The abuse she suffered as a comfort woman is only exacerbated when she’s able to return home. There, she is met only with stigma, shame and even rage for what had been done to her, something beyond her control. It was heart-breaking to see the way Wang Di was treated by her once loving family; after everything she endured, they could not look past the abuse she suffered at the hands of men. It was this shame and stigma that made thousands of women forced into this role during the war stay silent about their experiences for so long, erasing a devastating part of history that deserved to be heard and never forgotten.
.
I loved the dual timeline (or maybe triple? Since we hear from Wang Di as both a young and old woman, as well as Kevin), it all comes together so beautifully. It shows how during war, people are forced to make choices which will reverberate throughout their lives and the lives of their descendants.
.
Really can’t recommend this one enough, especially to lovers of historical fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
deedireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
How We Disappeared is a moving, well-written novel that brings to life the experiences of “comfort women” in Singapore during WWII.
For you if: You are a fan of literary historical fiction.
FULL REVIEW:
I picked up How We Disappeared because it was longlisted for the 2020 Women’s Prize. I don’t think I would have read it otherwise — historical fiction (even literary historical fiction) isn’t one of my go-to genres — but I enjoyed it, and it definitely made a nice addition to my list.
The novel is a portrayal of the imagined experiences of “comfort women” (sex slaves) during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during WWII, centering on a young girl named Wang Di. It alternates between the past and today, as she grapples with the loneliness of new widowhood and a secret past that sits heavily on her shoulders. Meanwhile, a young boy named Kevin seeks to solve a mystery left behind by his recently deceased grandmother.
The characters in this book are what makes it shine — I rooted so hard for Kevin, and my heart broke for Wang Di. As you might expect from a book about sexual enslavement, there are parts that are difficult to read. But the novel stands as a beautiful ode to and remembrance of the women who suffered. I recommend this one if you like historical fiction, and especially if you’re looking for a time period and location that isn’t often featured in novels.
TL;DR REVIEW:
How We Disappeared is a moving, well-written novel that brings to life the experiences of “comfort women” in Singapore during WWII.
For you if: You are a fan of literary historical fiction.
FULL REVIEW:
I picked up How We Disappeared because it was longlisted for the 2020 Women’s Prize. I don’t think I would have read it otherwise — historical fiction (even literary historical fiction) isn’t one of my go-to genres — but I enjoyed it, and it definitely made a nice addition to my list.
The novel is a portrayal of the imagined experiences of “comfort women” (sex slaves) during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during WWII, centering on a young girl named Wang Di. It alternates between the past and today, as she grapples with the loneliness of new widowhood and a secret past that sits heavily on her shoulders. Meanwhile, a young boy named Kevin seeks to solve a mystery left behind by his recently deceased grandmother.
The characters in this book are what makes it shine — I rooted so hard for Kevin, and my heart broke for Wang Di. As you might expect from a book about sexual enslavement, there are parts that are difficult to read. But the novel stands as a beautiful ode to and remembrance of the women who suffered. I recommend this one if you like historical fiction, and especially if you’re looking for a time period and location that isn’t often featured in novels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Trafficking, Slavery, Confinement, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Ableism
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