Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern’s life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother’s best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer just an outsider, but an enemy.
When her husband is interned at a war relocation camp, Maddie follows, sacrificing her Juilliard ambitions. Behind barbed wire, tension simmers and the line between patriot and traitor blurs. As Maddie strives for the hard-won acceptance of her new family, Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost.
Bridge Of Scarlet Leaves is a fulfilling book that captures the time of post Pearl Harbor America and how it affects, Lane, a Japanese American in love with an American woman (Maddie) as well as Lane’s relationship with his best friend TJ, who happens to be Maddie’s brother. Feeling the great divide for Japanese Americans, this book took on a unique perspective and one which I really enjoyed. I learned quite a bit about the internment camps from the inside looking out.
Romance, family loyalties, cultural expectations, guilt, forgiveness and the emotional repercussions of war are beautifully expressed through this novel. Often predictable moments, didn’t scar this book from being a winner of a historical war romantic novel. Please take time to read the author’s afterward. She offers great recipes that tie Japanese and American cuisine together as well as some interesting stories about brothers who fought for different sides of the war. Her tale about Chairman Mao and his plan to destroy all sparrows is a real life fable in which we can learn quite a bit from.
Quotes I liked:
The whole world can become the enemy when you lose what you love.”
-“In seven days G-d had created the Earth. In a single day mankind had turned it upside down.”
30 sound buttons, each representing a different animal. Children press button to hear animal name and sound associated with animal. Recommended for children ages 3 and older. Illustrated by renown children's book creator Eric Carle.
Review:The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride is a moving and powerful novel about community, our differences, and having each other ‘s back. I listened to this on audio which was narrated amazingly well by Dominic Hoffman.Although James McBride is probably most well-known for his first book, The Color of Water, which I adored, this too will make a mark on readers everywhere. Although I thought this would be a plot driven book based on the very first scenes, I could not have been more wrong. This story is driven solely on these perfectly flawed and nuanced characters. I adored Shona and Moshe, Nate and Addi and of course, Dodo, who the town is trying to save from the “school” he’s been sent too.I don’t want to give spoilers but know that the heart of this book is about humanity and connectivity to one another no matter your religion, color or ethnicity. @jamesmcbrideauthor @riverheadbooks @prhaudio 📘: When is last time you wrote a letter? #bookrecs#newbookreview#igbookreview#igbookreviews #TBR #addtoTBR #historicalfiction #histfic #jamesmcbride #readersmatter #booksmaatter#goodbookfairybookreviews #goodbookfairy... See MoreSee Less
Reading cookbooks is one of my favorite ways to relax. As an empty nester, I don't cook as much as I'd like to, but I still love to read new recipes. I made these amazing Mashed Potato, Kale and Feta cheese pancakes. It was easy, delicious and I cut the recipe in half!Copy and paste this link to purchase: amzn.to/48L0xxR{affiliate purchase}📘: What's your favorite thing to cook? (besides re#cookbookreader##cookbooke#cookbookreadersc#NewRecipese#cookinge#recipeso#goodbookfairy #goodbookfairy ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks so much for the lovely review. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book, as well as the special features! 🙂
Thanks for writing it!! You have a wonderful way with words!