Rating: 4 Stars
Will I ever get enough of historical fiction books? Not if they are told as eloquently as this story. I am especially drawn to fictional stories that are based on real events and this one is beautiful, and at times heart wrenching. A story of courage and resilience that will touch you.
When Great Britain enters WWII, a group of teachers and students, from a British missionary school in occupied China, are forced into a Japanese internment camp. Their story is told from two points of view. Partly told through the eyes of a young British girl, Nancy Plummer, whose parents are missionaries in the interior of China. The rest of the story is told from Elspeth Kent’s view as a teacher at the school.
Elspeth has been in China trying to escape a past she would rather not remember. She is finally ready to put that behind her and return home. She is packed and has her letter of resignation ready to hand in when the war in Europe comes to her.
Nancy Plummer is looking forward to finally seeing her parents for Christmas. Though she loves her friends at school, Dorothy and Joan (aka Sprout and Mouse), and her older brother, she longs for her family, especially her mother. When Japan declares war on Great Britain she starts to wonder if she will ever see her family again.
As the teachers try to acclimate to the Japanese occupation, Elspeth and her fellow teaches are determined to see that the children continue their lives in as normal a way as possible given the circumstances. There is also the promise Elspeth made to Nancy’s mother to watch over her daughter. Yet, how can you achieve this when the enemy is unmerciful and is always watching? She and the other teachers have to become more, so much more, and assume the roles of surrogate mothers and fathers.
Not only is this story beautifully told, it is sure to strike a chord with readers because you will feel like you are living the events with the characters. The author presents them in a believable way and gives them with multiple challenges to overcome. They must endure hardship, longing, lost and yet remain courageous despite their circumstances.
The prose is richly detailed and the plot is perfectly paced. This book does not contain a lot of plot twists or unexpected events, instead it works it magic in a slow and deliberate way in which the characters are built. I especially liked the eloquent way in which the author weaves the two points of view together to make one seamless story, just divine.
The last item I would like to mention is how well researched this book is. The attention to detail shines through in the period details.
I recommend this book to all lovers of fiction. For historical fiction readers in particular, you need to add this book to your to be read list. You won’t regret it. I received a free copy from the publisher via Library Thing’s Early Reviewer program in exchange for my honest opinion.