songbird72's review
4.0
Wow...I really liked this book. Great story and also history thrown in. We often don't hear enough about how Japanese-Americans were treated during WWII. It really is a shameful part of our past. This is ultimately a love story and one that gives you hope that things always work out for the best, even if they don't always seem that way. I agree with Lynn that the writer (and editors) didn't always pay attention to detail (they mentioned the grave of Brandon Lee, although he didn't die until 1993) but overall, very forgiveable considering the quality of the story. THis book also proves that you don't have to have a lot (or any) foul language or explicit sex scenes to be great. I teared up at the end and usually don't do that. I highly recommend it!
amiamor's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racial slurs, Bullying, Xenophobia, and Racism
nancyinoregon's review against another edition
3.0
With my background in Asia, I was attracted to this book, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't find the story of Japanese internment during WWII very original. I most enjoyed seeing the adult son's attitude change toward his Chinese father as his father opens up to him a little. The father really WANTS to express his feelings, both as a teenager as an older adult--but just doesn't seem to have it in him, having had no role model for it growing up. In the end, his inability to express his feelings seems to lie at the root of most of the problems in his life.
laurammon's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
zre_rodri's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
upgirlcd's review
5.0
I loved this book! What a sweet story in the midst of war & warring cultures. Relationships can tear apart and bring together. Henry is an amazing boy, who grows up fast, and becomes an amazing man. He is not the boy his loyalist Chinese father wants him to be, which creates such strain for Henry. He overcomes, and follows his heart, which ties everything together throughout the story. Keiko and her family are Japanese. Supposed to be "the Enemy" in 1942. Yet, they are kind, racially open, and offering their daughter freedom to befriend Henry. The reader is transported back and forth between 1942 and 1986, where the adult Henry, struggles in his own relationship with his college-age son Marty. Marty is quite knowing and understanding, and honors his father by giving him a gift that will touch Henry more than he can express.
chelsmilne's review
3.0
Read this for a book club - probably not something I would have read on my own. It was… fine. I zoned out a lot while listening to it. And I had a hard time with the 12 year olds being in “love”.