Bitter Sweet

I just finished a great book! And, man, did I need it after a day like today, which involved hospital visits by a number of loved ones. And when I consider that it was Jamie Ford's debut novel, I get really jealous! Hats off to you Mr. Ford! Let's look at the stats for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Author: Jamie Ford
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date: 2009
My start date: 1-21-10
My finish date: 1-25-10

So, first of all, as I mentioned in my last post, I especially enjoyed reading about the history of the city in which I live. Yes, this is a fictional novel, but the places and major events are all real. I started reading this book while sitting at Kobe Terrace Park in International District, never realizing until later when I looked it up, that I was within sight of the Panama Hotel discussed in this book. Had I only looked up from my reading, I would have seen it! However, that is my point. The novel was such a good read, that I didn't often take time to look up once I dove into the world of Ford's WWII Seattle.
Ford's characters make this book. The dynamics of the main character, Henry Lee's family are so real. Henry is caught between his confused identity as American born, but of Chinese background in a time in which race and politics are hot spots for members of all ethnic communities in the US. This is further complicated, as Henry is between childhood and becoming an adult during the main action of the story. On the one hand he is losing the innocence of believing that his parents are infallible and on the other he is confronted with the realities of adult decisions. However, while these qualities all make him a realistic and intriguing character, I will admit that I loved him for the delightful love story with Keiko, another absolutely charming character and the female lead. This love, which went against tradition and logic and which defied any number of obstactles reminds you what a good old-fashioned, pure and uplifting story can be. No sarcasm or cynicism needed. I only wish I had known a thirteen year old as dedicated, gentlemanly (if that is a word) and brave as Henry.
Even more great than these two leads, the side characters were a treat. I fell in love with the characters of Sheldon and Samantha. You will too, but I won't tell you more, because you are going to go out and read this yourself, right? Self discovery is always more fun, I think.
I started the discussion in my last post about the topic of the Japanese Internment. I am just not sure what to say about it and won't pass off any conclusion here. I recognize that things were very different then and wartime USA was a whole different world. But at the very least, I will say that it is a tragedy that it couldn't have been handled in a better manner. You try reading the scenes in which innocent Japanese families are forced to burn their memories and leave behind their most precious possessions simply to avoid be arrested as being too Japanese and thus a threat. I am one quarter German. My grandmother lived during this era and I am thankful that, to my knowledge, she was never rounded up or otherwise harrassed for her German heritage. But she could have been. The idea that something like this could happen today makes me shudder. Who would we round up, disregarding a person's full citizenship or having been a multi-generational American family, simply on the basis that they look different or their great-grandfather lived once upon a time in a different country but came here looking for a better life? What would the rest of us do? I certainly hope it would be different.
Enough deep thoughts for a very long and stressful day. I need rest. And you need to go out and buy this book. In the meantime, I have started my next read: Meg Waite Clayton's The Wednesday Sisters.
Keep Reading!
Sarah