A review by remainsofabook
How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee

dark informative sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

How We Disappeared was a page-turner. A novel that weaves the past atrocities of the WWII Japanese Occupation in Singapore, specifically on comfort women, and its aftermath. The story follows 2 perspective, Wang Di and Kevin, through 2 different timelines. Personally I enjoyed the 2 different timelines and Kevin's story. It is very slow paced and a little long but I think it's a welcomed break from Wang Di's heartbreaking past. The present timeline also provides some Singaporean Chinese cultural context and it makes the story fuller and realistic.  Lee handles the topic with sensitivity and she presented different aspects of the misogyny Wang Di faced, the shaming and shunning and the internalised misogyny. I didn't enjoy the ambiguous ending but I could guess the reason why Lee had done so. Overall, I think this is a book worth reading. However, don't expect a history lesson from it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings