A review by ejay
When We Were Young & Brave by Hazel Gaynor

inspiring medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
This wasn’t for me. I was initially drawn to this novel due to its setting (Japanese-occupied China during WWII), but the writing didn’t lean into the setting as much as I wanted. Instead, we follow the lives of a student and teacher at an English-run boarding school as they find themselves interred as prisoners. Quick jumps between these two narratives make the pace fast and the story readable, but I wished it sat more with the complexities and emotions inherent in this setting. Dark plot points but ultimately hopeful, readers looking for a fast, character-driven story may enjoy this. 
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