tekt's review
dark
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
4.0
ioanna_orf's review
dark
emotional
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? N/A
3.75
kentcryptid's review against another edition
4.0
The Flowers of War is set during the horrific events of the Nanjing Massacre: the 1937 capture of Nanjing - then China's capital - by Japanese forces, who then murdered and raped thousands upon thousands of civilians.
The book tells the story of the efforts of two priests in charge of a Catholic girls' school to protect their young pupils from the invaders by concealing them in the school's attic. Matters are further complicated when first a group of sex workers from a local brothel, then three wounded Chinese soldiers, also seek refuge in the compound.
It's a simply-told and compelling story which carries a lot of emotional weight in its short length. I wished it could have been a little longer; there isn't much time to get to know the characters, although the connections that they do make between them are still intensely moving. The epilogue also feels a little rushed and disparate. Nevertheless, this is a great story about a period of history which must be remembered.
The book tells the story of the efforts of two priests in charge of a Catholic girls' school to protect their young pupils from the invaders by concealing them in the school's attic. Matters are further complicated when first a group of sex workers from a local brothel, then three wounded Chinese soldiers, also seek refuge in the compound.
It's a simply-told and compelling story which carries a lot of emotional weight in its short length. I wished it could have been a little longer; there isn't much time to get to know the characters, although the connections that they do make between them are still intensely moving. The epilogue also feels a little rushed and disparate. Nevertheless, this is a great story about a period of history which must be remembered.
malenadainesi's review
dark
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, and War
souhaila's review
3.0
Powerful and disturbing story of Japanese invasion of Nanking in 1937,but I wasn't a big fan of the writing style.
More...