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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
dark
hopeful
sad
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A WWII historical fiction book that covers an aspect I haven't read about in other books, so it was interesting. More interesting than the story, though, was the research I did afterwards about the Girl Guides and their relationship to Girl Scouts in the US.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You know a book is good when it keeps you up past your bedtime and makes you cry while trying not to wake your partner. Hazel Gaynor's latest certainly packs an emotional punch. I was completely enthralled by the students and teachers at Chefoo Missionary School, the opening setting of the story. Gaynor explores the complex relationship between educators and their pupils which develop when children are separated from their parents. This bond becomes all the more important when the Japanese take over the school, imprisoning the residents. Over the course of the story, we follow Nancy and her teacher Elspeth Kent as they wait out the Second World War in a Japanese internment camp. Along the way, we meet intriguing characters, some historical figures, and suffer through the atrocities which defined that war. However, the reader also discovers the tenacity and the bonds people develop when pushed to the absolute limit. This book made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Yet again, Hazel Gaynor has delived a truly brilliant novel.
While this is a good story, it misses the mark for being good historical fiction. In the genre of Historical Fiction, the setting (time & place) is as important as the main character. The setting, and the history, should be well developed in the story. Unfortunately, in this book, the setting and history are very under-developed. I guess it is okay as a basic introduction to the topic of WWII in China.
As I said in an update, I found the whole British "stiff upper-lip" attitude, to be annoying.
I won't be rereading this book.
As I said in an update, I found the whole British "stiff upper-lip" attitude, to be annoying.
I won't be rereading this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
tense