Author: Ana Johns
Genre: Historical Fiction (Japan)
Type: Trade Paperback
Pages: 352
Source: TLC Book Tour
Publisher: Park Row Books
First Published: May 28, 2019
Opening Lines: "My given name is Naoko Nakamura. My married name is Naoko Tanaka. And once, for a short time in between, it was something else -- a nontraditional name from an unconventional wedding ceremony held under an ancient tree of flickering lights."
Book Description from GoodReads: Oceans and decades apart, two women are inextricably bound by the secrets between them.
Japan, 1957. Seventeen-year-old Naoko Nakamura’s prearranged marriage to the son of her father’s business associate would secure her family’s status in their traditional Japanese community, but Naoko has fallen for another man—an American sailor, a gaijin—and to marry him would bring great shame upon her entire family. When it’s learned Naoko carries the sailor’s child, she’s cast out in disgrace and forced to make unimaginable choices with consequences that will ripple across generations.
America, present day. Tori Kovac, caring for her dying father, finds a letter containing a shocking revelation—one that calls into question everything she understood about him, her family and herself. Setting out to learn the truth behind the letter, Tori’s journey leads her halfway around the world to a remote seaside village in Japan, where she must confront the demons of the past to pave a way for redemption.
In breathtaking prose and inspired by true stories from a devastating and little-known era in Japanese and American history, The Woman in the White Kimono illuminates a searing portrait of one woman torn between her culture and her heart, and another woman on a journey to discover the true meaning of home.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
My Review: This debut Historical Fiction novel takes readers into the lives of two women - Naoko Nakamura, a Japanese young woman in the 1950's and Tori Kovac, an American woman in present day who unearths secrets from her father's past. Through these two characters, Johns explores Japanese culture, interracial marriage, prejudice and the pressure to meet traditional Japanese cultural ideals.
Johns has written a heart wrenching story set during and after WWII. Descriptions of Japan are detailed for the reader, but the focus of the story is on the desperation of Naoko as she tries to balance the intricacies forbidden love with the Japanese culture that her traditional family staunchly abides. A large portion of the book focuses on how some Japanese women were treated by American soldiers and the sometimes horrific repercussions that followed.
Ana Johns has solid writing skills and for a debut, this story is quite strong. While the story was very slow moving and her character development could have been a bit stronger, I appreciate that she tackles big issues, emotional scenes, adds a couple of twists and provides readers with an interesting aspect of post-WWII. This is an author to keep an eye on. I look forward to reading her future work.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Park Row Books and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Giveaway!
Park Row Books and TLC Book Tours have graciously provided me with one copy of The Woman in the White Kimono to giveaway to one of my blog readers!
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I love that this book is so well written but it's a debut. It makes me wonder what the author's next book, or fifth book is going to be like when they start out strong. Thanks for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours
ReplyDeleteMy favorite historical fiction novel is The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman. Thanks for this captivating feature and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite historical novels is Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall.
ReplyDeleteMarilla Of Green Gables was one I really enjoyed, it was really well-written and maintained the tone of the Anne books while exploring Marilla's backstory.
ReplyDeleteHello, there are so many that I like.
ReplyDeleteSo many great Historical Fiction reads!
ReplyDeleteCourtney - I remember reading Whistling Past the Graveyard years ago and enjoying it.
Traveler - I haven't heard about The Velvet Hours. I'll check it out right away!
Summer - I read Marilla last year. I love going back to Green Gables! Have you read Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson? It focuses on Anne's life before she went to PEI. I quite enjoyed it.
Starzine - So many HF books to read … don't I know it!
Thanks to everyone for commenting. I'm just about to randomly pick the winner!! Good luck to all!