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abookishpenguin's review
4.0
When the Japanese occupied Singapore during the Second World War, thousands fled. Many were captured though, and held in detention camps until the end of the war. This is the story of some of those women: and English musician, an American missionary, an group of Australian and New Zealand nurses. Based on the accounts of real people who survived this time, this is a story of resilience, hope and strength.
This was an incredibly emotional read. Within the first few pages, the brutal reality of what people went through at this time was driven home as Norah sent her young child away ahead of herself to protect her. The raw emotion was captured so well in the writing.
That this was based on a true story was astounding, and I have nothing but respect for the women who this book represents. This was a really powerful story of hope, love and strength. While not my go to type of book I am so glad I read this.
This was an incredibly emotional read. Within the first few pages, the brutal reality of what people went through at this time was driven home as Norah sent her young child away ahead of herself to protect her. The raw emotion was captured so well in the writing.
That this was based on a true story was astounding, and I have nothing but respect for the women who this book represents. This was a really powerful story of hope, love and strength. While not my go to type of book I am so glad I read this.
jacquilogan's review against another edition
5.0
Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris – audiobook from BorrowBox
It is impossible to say that you enjoy reading this book, the subject matter is too raw and horrific (and true) to say you enjoyed such a book. Set during World War 2 it follows women and children evacuating Singapore before the invasion of the Japanese. It particularly follows the story of a group of Australian nurses and a pair of British sisters and what happens when their ship is fired upon and sinks. What happened to these women and children and how they were treated by their captors is almost beyond belief, except that multiple stories tell us it is completely true.
There were times I was stamping round my house so angry that one human could treat another human in this way and then in tears at the way these women came together to try to help and support one another in the most dreadful of circumstances.
I have read Heather’s other books, and they all have that sense of realism to them, you really feel you are reading someone’s life. I would recommend it but be warned it is not for the faint hearted.
It is impossible to say that you enjoy reading this book, the subject matter is too raw and horrific (and true) to say you enjoyed such a book. Set during World War 2 it follows women and children evacuating Singapore before the invasion of the Japanese. It particularly follows the story of a group of Australian nurses and a pair of British sisters and what happens when their ship is fired upon and sinks. What happened to these women and children and how they were treated by their captors is almost beyond belief, except that multiple stories tell us it is completely true.
There were times I was stamping round my house so angry that one human could treat another human in this way and then in tears at the way these women came together to try to help and support one another in the most dreadful of circumstances.
I have read Heather’s other books, and they all have that sense of realism to them, you really feel you are reading someone’s life. I would recommend it but be warned it is not for the faint hearted.
ejones_'s review
2.0
The book follows two women who are prisoners of war, held by the Japanese in Indonesia. It’s based on a very true story, and people, with parts reimagined for the ease of story telling. With such a rich and meaningful subject, it’s upsetting that the book was so weak. I get there was an ethos of “we will endure” but it was to the point it was unbelievable. The first 75% of it ignores all trauma and makes it seem like nothing bad has really happened. I almost DNF but I persisted, and the ending was decent. Overall though, not good at all.
imagineamie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
janannie's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ahinks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dani_nichols_'s review
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
3.0
rowellreads's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
sarge123's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
suehepworth's review
1.0
Dreadfully written, as per usual Heather Morris books.
It more or less consisted entirely of conversations, imagined. Story is of women who escaped Singapore in the 1940s as the Japanese invaded. It covers their period of internment in the camps in Sumatra.
True story.
It more or less consisted entirely of conversations, imagined. Story is of women who escaped Singapore in the 1940s as the Japanese invaded. It covers their period of internment in the camps in Sumatra.
True story.