By: Mary Lynn Bracht
Genres: Historical | Women's Fiction Historical
Posted: April 5, 2018
Moving back and forth between 1943 and 2011, steeped in amazing period details, the reader begins to learn of a little well-known dark secret that Japan desires to hide: that of the existence of comfort women. These are women who were kidnapped or coerced into literally becoming sex slaves for the Japanese imperial forces from China, Korea, Philippines, etc. In addition to learning about comfort women, the reader learns as well the numerous events that occurred on Jeju island since the end of WWII through the younger sister's eyes.
I found the story to be addictive, and once I got started it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to put down the story and to attend to other tasks. I also loved the symbolism in terms of Hana's name and of her life tied to flowers. Emi's story sections are also well written and just as addictive because the reader sees the post World War II South Korea through her eyes and the reader also sees the many years of guilt she carries in her heart and of her how life turned out to be.
WHITE CHRYSANTHEMUM by Mary Lynn Bracht is a perfect fit For a historical fiction lover that is seeking a read off the beaten path. You will learn something new and unique about World War II in Asia, as well as what happened in Jeju after WWII.
Book Summary
The Korean Nightingale, a sweeping historical debut for
fans of Lilac Girls, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Kristin
Hannah that brings to life the heartbreaking history of
Korea through the deeply moving and redemptive story of two
sisters separated by World War II.
Korea, 1943.
Hana has lived her entire life under Japanese occupation.
Following her mother’s footsteps into the sea as a haenyeo,
one of the famed female divers of beautiful Jeju Island, she
enjoys an independence that few other Koreans can still
claim. Until the day Hana witnesses a Japanese soldier
threatening her beloved younger sister on shore. Desperate
to save her, Hana is captured and transported to Manchuria
where she is forced to become a comfort woman in a Japanese
brothel. But haenyeo are women of power and strength and
Hana holds close the lessons her mother taught her. She will
find her way home.
South Korea, 2011. Emi has spent
more than sixty years trying to forget the sacrifice her
sister made. Now in the sunset of her life, Emi must finally
confront the past to discover the peace she so desperately
seeks. Finding hope in the healing of her children and her
country, can Emi move beyond the legacy of war and find
forgiveness?
At once suspenseful, hopeful, and
ultimately redemptive, White Chrysanthemum puts a human face
to the heartrending history of Korea and tells a story in
which two sisters’ love for one another is strong enough to
triumph over decades and the grim evils of war.
by: Mary Lynn Bracht
G.P. Putnam's Sons
February 1, 2018
On Sale: January 30, 2018
Featuring:
320 pages
ISBN: 0735214433
EAN: 9780735214439
Kindle: B0722T7JXQ
Hardcover / e-Book