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adelheid's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
thelaurasaurus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book made me so sad and angry, while also managing to contain occasional tender moments that made the misery bearable. While the treatment Wang Di received at the hands of the Japanese wasn’t exactly a surprise, I was really upset by how she was treated upon her return, not just by her neighbours, but by her brother . I had to take a break to sit and have a think (and a cry) when I finished.
I liked the Kevin storyline, but I wish that it had been slightly less depressing, and also better developed. I wanted it to both counteract the horror of what I was reading about Wang Di, and also move and engage me in the same way.
As a side note: I knew nothing about the history of Singapore, and this book provided me with a really interesting introduction to the country. I would like to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, Blood, and War
lynnd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and War
heliacentr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Blood, and War
etyines's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
these are the stories that need to be told! fuck war and colonialism!
i love the subtle nods to language here, wang di communicating with the girls in broken bits of various languages, kevin learning traditional chinese, it just adds a bit more richness and color and helps highlight how much of a melting pot singapore really is.
i love the subtle nods to language here, wang di communicating with the girls in broken bits of various languages, kevin learning traditional chinese, it just adds a bit more richness and color and helps highlight how much of a melting pot singapore really is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and War
enmcurrie's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
I didn’t know much about Comfort Women, or the Japanese occupation of Singapore prior to reading so it was so interesting to learn more about that time period. A beautiful book with different POVs that end up interconnected. Wang Di’s story is harrowing, her trauma remains with her for years and her refusal to delve into the past is saddening. The storyline is based on very real events that many vulnerable young women had to face, which makes it even more emotive. And although the overall tone of the novel is sad, the ending is quite heartwarming. I love this book, it’s a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: War and Injury/Injury detail
myiesha_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: Bullying
margueriteleech's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Harrowing in all the right ways. Beautiful prose and evocative writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, and War
thomasdj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
chnfrng's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m so happy I found this book. It tells a story that many of those living in Japanese-occupied Singapore / Malaya know but rarely tell.
World war 2 is often told from a European and male perspective. How we disappeared tells us about horrors of the war rarely told in the western world - and from a female perspective. This book is incredibly important and I urge everyone to read it. It’s not a light-hearted read by any means. The main characters are so human and gracefully written, I see so many elements of family members I know in Wang Di, her family and Kevin’s father which made this reading experience even more emotional and important.
I disagree with many of the reviews on here saying that Kevin’s part was unnecessary / interrupted Wang Di’s tale. I thought it was important for many reasons:
- this story would have been extremely heavy to read without the contrast of Kevin.
- Kevin represents hope, a new generation, our generation, who doesn’t want to bury the past in the past. His willingness to search for Ah Ma’s lost history contrasts the typical mindset of older Asian generations to never speak about trauma and let the past die.
- without Kevin, Wang Di would never have got the closure she sorely needed and deserved. According to the book’s narrative, she would have never even told her story. And despite all of the injustice done to her in her life, finally she can grow old with a loving family that chooses her, and helps her to deal with her trauma.
World war 2 is often told from a European and male perspective. How we disappeared tells us about horrors of the war rarely told in the western world - and from a female perspective. This book is incredibly important and I urge everyone to read it. It’s not a light-hearted read by any means. The main characters are so human and gracefully written, I see so many elements of family members I know in Wang Di, her family and Kevin’s father which made this reading experience even more emotional and important.
I disagree with many of the reviews on here saying that Kevin’s part was unnecessary / interrupted Wang Di’s tale. I thought it was important for many reasons:
- this story would have been extremely heavy to read without the contrast of Kevin.
- Kevin represents hope, a new generation, our generation, who doesn’t want to bury the past in the past. His willingness to search for Ah Ma’s lost history contrasts the typical mindset of older Asian generations to never speak about trauma and let the past die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, and War
Moderate: Mental illness