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heartandsoulbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I have read so many books about WWII. It is a horrific and fascinating time in history. I’ve read several perspectives by this point (fictional and real accounts). But I’ve never read a Chinese perspective before, if I’m being honest I learned a lot in this book. How much the war effected China, that Shanghai took in so many refugees.
Following Ernest and Aiyi’s stories were beautiful. The strength of their love. The paths of their lives. The struggles.
This novel is beautifully written. A poignant and masterful depiction of a horrible time in history, shown through the eyes of different perspectives.
Following Ernest and Aiyi’s stories were beautiful. The strength of their love. The paths of their lives. The struggles.
This novel is beautifully written. A poignant and masterful depiction of a horrible time in history, shown through the eyes of different perspectives.
cfh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sakkura's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
lissareadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book covers an interesting period in history and discusses a community I never knew existed - the Jewish diaspora in Shanghai. While I was not in love with the writing style, my interest in the subject matter and the twists and turns of the plot kept me glued to this book. A very enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
caicapx's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️
A premissa tinha tudo para ser interessante, mas o estilo de escrita não foi o meu favorito.
A premissa tinha tudo para ser interessante, mas o estilo de escrita não foi o meu favorito.
lalladonelli_'s review against another edition
DNFd at 40%, I was really intrigued by the plot of the book, but the writing style was not it for me. The idea is great, the characters are not unfortunately…
2books_at_a_time's review against another edition
5.0
loved it!
If you love historical fiction, this book is for you. Beautifully written and a great love story. And a different perspective than most historical fiction I have read.
If you love historical fiction, this book is for you. Beautifully written and a great love story. And a different perspective than most historical fiction I have read.
heart_inaprairie's review against another edition
5.0
So many emotions and twists!!!! I had this gut feeling that the documentarian would end up being her long lost daughter.
——
This novel had me leaping from page to page, constantly in a whirlpool mixed with Aiyi’s conflicts of her feelings for Chung and Ernest. This historical fiction comes down to the moral of fight for your freedom, your heart and that love is stronger than anything. BRAVO!!!!!!!
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This novel had me leaping from page to page, constantly in a whirlpool mixed with Aiyi’s conflicts of her feelings for Chung and Ernest. This historical fiction comes down to the moral of fight for your freedom, your heart and that love is stronger than anything. BRAVO!!!!!!!
grove9ruby's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Antisemitism, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
ninnao's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Lo que más me ha gustado de esta historia es el escenario en el cual se desenvuelve la historia. Shanghai durante la WWII. Y me ha encantado porque poco se habla en los medios de las atrocidades que realizaron los japoneses durante su invasión a China, de ese lado hay mucha tela que cortar. De hecho, me encanta que al final del libro, la autora coloca el listado de los libros que utilizó como research para crear la novela. Desconocía totalmente acerca de los refugiados judíos que había en la ciudad.
Ahora, el trasfondo romántico de la historia entre Aiyi y Ernest, a mitad del libro, me dejó de interesar. Creo que lo que lo hizo interesante fue ese plot twist, que quizás un poco me lo esperaba, no dejó de ser una gran sorpresa.
Aún siendo una obra de ficción, la historia es creíble. No me extrañaría que hubiesen historias similares, y cómo me gustaría poder leer o escuchar esos testimonios.
Ahora, el trasfondo romántico de la historia entre Aiyi y Ernest, a mitad del libro, me dejó de interesar. Creo que lo que lo hizo interesante fue ese plot twist, que quizás un poco me lo esperaba, no dejó de ser una gran sorpresa.
Aún siendo una obra de ficción, la historia es creíble. No me extrañaría que hubiesen historias similares, y cómo me gustaría poder leer o escuchar esos testimonios.