Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet does not demonstrate brilliant writing style, and one can find in it a few anachronisms. Nevertheless, this debut novel has me looking forward to more from Mr. Ford. I think he will only get better, because he already knows how to craft a satisfying (if slightly saccharine) story.
The friendship between Henry and Keiko, adolescents in WWII-era Seattle, blossoms against a backdrop colored by fear, prejudice, and an inability by many to try to understand each other. Their ordinary coming-of-age struggles are made extraordinary by circumstances that are still relevant 40 years later. But along with the bitterness is plenty of sweetness (and some good music, good friends, courage, resilience, and wisdom).
I think this is a good title for teen readers, too, offering a glimpse of what the Japanese internment camps really meant, from the perspective of those directly impacted by them.
The friendship between Henry and Keiko, adolescents in WWII-era Seattle, blossoms against a backdrop colored by fear, prejudice, and an inability by many to try to understand each other. Their ordinary coming-of-age struggles are made extraordinary by circumstances that are still relevant 40 years later. But along with the bitterness is plenty of sweetness (and some good music, good friends, courage, resilience, and wisdom).
I think this is a good title for teen readers, too, offering a glimpse of what the Japanese internment camps really meant, from the perspective of those directly impacted by them.
RSS Feed