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Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweetby Jamie Ford |
Gail Reid (08/23/11): It's a great title for a bittersweet story of young love between Henry, a young Chinese-American boy and Keiko, a young Japanese-American girl in Seattle during the pre-World War II years. Keiko and her family are sent off to the internment camps. Henry's father harbors hatred for the Japanese and cruelly contributes to the young peoples' separation while alienating Henry, his only child.
The book juxtaposes the young Henry's story with the middle-aged Henry whose wife has died and whose son will soon graduate from college and marry. During the 1980's a Seattle hotel was renovated and numerous belongings from the evacuated Japanese community are discovered. When Henry uncovers Keiko's sketches, the strong feelings that he has always had for Keiko are reignited.
I found that both the story and the writing did not reveal any real originality, although it was certainly
a pleasant read. For this era in U.S. history, "Snow Falling on Cedars" was more memorable and had much
more of an impact on me.
Rating: ***
Gwendolyn Waring: I read this sweet little
book a while ago and I agree it is an easy read, but has great historical context and content.
I agree that it is a good read.
Rating: ****
Judy Stanton: In the mood for a sweet, old-fashioned
coming of age love story? I thoroughly enjoyed Jamie Ford's novel, getting to know his
characters, shifting from the 1940s to the 1980s, and learning about the interrment of
the Japanese during WWII as seen through the eyes of those personally touched by it.
I found the book very readable and constantly calling me back to see what happens next.
Some reviews say this author's debut novel is predictable and his characters too defined
by cliche. I thought he touched on many issues of substance-- what does it mean to be
an American? how immigrants can feel isolated in this country, but also in their own;
parental issues about determining what's best for your children; family obligation/loyalty
across the generations. It's a fairly quick read; I hope you'll enj! oy it as much as I did.
Rating: *****
