Although the story is about being a comfort woman, I was grateful that the author flipped between Hana and her sister's story. I knew about Korean "comfort" women during WWII, but as any good piece of historical fiction, this book personalised their terrible circumstances and brought it utterly alive. Please try again. Very moving novel about the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War 2 and the brutal treatment of Korean comfort women by the Japanese Army. White Chrysanthemum is the story of two Korean sisters separated by … She has no plan. White Chrysanthemum has been shortlisted for Best First Novel by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. If he has called out to her as she runs toward the ledge, she can’t hear him. Hana can’t shout at her to stay down. Can I rely on you?” her mother asked, her voice stern. In her next breath, she sees him light a cigarette. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. I literally flew through the pages as I was hooked on what could happen to Emi and Hana. Rape is wrong, and it is cause for shame for the rapist, but for the person who is raped, may there be acceptance and healing in compassion and love. Hana grew quiet. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Hana gulped in air between racking coughs. Once she caught her breath, Hana sat beside her mother and placed a hand on the outermost curve of her bulging stomach. Little does she know that her sister's life takes a disastrous turn when North and South Korea fracture and she must deal with a police-style state. Hana and her mother only interact with Japanese soldiers when they go to market to sell their day’s catch. Hana gives her a look only a little sister would understand. Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2019. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Hana has just found a large conch and is ready to shout at her sister to express her joy, when she notices a man heading toward the beach. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. She retains a clear sense of herself, and she finds refuge in her mind, thinking of the love of her family. She pushes her sister into the sand, wishing she could bury her to hide her from the soldier’s sight, but she has no time. Never forget. I had to know Hana's story. With one hand, her mother lifted Hana’s face above the water. Treading water so that she can lift herself higher to see him more clearly, Hana realizes the man is a Japanese soldier. White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht delves deep into the days of Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1940s. Interesting glimpse of the world of Emi's children. Her mother is always the first to offer help. Truly outstanding writing filled with emotion and such depth in her characters. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Something went wrong. But that changes on a hot summer day. Her sister was too young to dive with them when they were that far from the shore. The Japanese people and Government should be ashamed of their attitude and denial on this issue. Hana pitches beneath the surface, pulling the water out of her way with each stroke, until her hands touch the sandy ground. I will forever remember what I learned in this book and I plan to do further reading. “Has the mermaid transformed into a girl?”. She starts to swim above the waves, aware she is exposing herself but unable to bear staying too long beneath the water for fear of missing the soldier’s advance. But that changes on a hot summer day. She was like a butterfly dancing across Hana’s sightline. Hana comes up for air and looks to the shore. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. “Father, I must confess something to you. She retains a clear sense of herself, and she finds refuge in her mind, thinking of the love of her family. I hope you have a daughter, so that one day, she can swim in the sea with me. This issue is still a cause of tension between Korea and Japan today and the Japanese Government still today deny or minimise the scale of the atrocities committed against comfort women. You are an artist with words. They can hold their breath longer, swim deeper, and keep their body temperature warmer, so for centuries, Jeju women have enjoyed a rare independence. Her feet fly across the sand toward her sister, who is smiling at her in ignorance and preparing to greet Hana. This is easily the best book I have read this year. I could not out this book down even knowing I will be exhausted tomorrow. If he stands on the edge he could look down and see them both lying beneath him. The occupation is a taboo topic, especially at market; only the brave dare to broach it, and even then only in whispers and behind cupped hands. When Hana’s breaths had returned to normal, her mother released her and commenced diving with a slow forward somersault down into the ocean’s depths. When she looked up at Hana, she motioned for her to come to her side. Raped and abused, her life derails when she is made a sex slave and must endure horrific conditions, her only solace is that her innocent sister is safe. Fully recovered, Hana swam to the buoy and added her abalone to her mother’s catch, which was stowed safely in a net. Hana dives beneath the waves, swimming at full speed toward the beach. Her fear is contagious, and Hana, too, begins to tremble. Hana is sixteen and knows nothing but a life lived under occupation. Mary Lynn Bracht reveals the unfathomable cruelty of Japanese sex slavery during World War II through the unbreakable love of Korean sisters.” –Blaine Harden, New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Camp 14 You have told a tragically age old story just as it should be told. Her sister was too young to dive with them when they were that far from the shore. It is a devastatingly beautiful read about hardships and pain, but also hope and redemption. Her lungs burned. Hana's sister holds her own shame, but in the end, that too is released by her family's love and acceptance. His boots crunch on the stones above them. Sputtering with her chin barely above the waves, she was disoriented and began to panic. When she sees Hana’s face hovering above her, she knows better than to cry. Forced into a marriage, the sister's lives have a weird kind of looking-glass quality and the twist toward the end leaves the reader with a satisfying conclusion.