Tag: WW11

Linda Sue Park’s—When my name was Keoko *****

In 1940 Sun-hee, her brother Tae-yul, their parents and Uncle live in fear under the Japanese who invaded Korea. As the Japanese advance through Asia, they demand more from Koreans—their food, their metal possessions as well as forcing them to lose their own culture.

This is an accurate account of Japanese colonialism in Korea seen through the eyes of a fictionalized family.

Shrabani Basu’s — Spy Princess *****

This is the biography of Noor Inayat Khan who was born in Russia but by the age of six went to London, then moved to France with her parents and siblings. She is brought up within the Sufi faith, but when WW11 breaks out, the family flee to London. Noor is determined to assist in the war effort. She joins the WAAF until she is recruited by the SOE and sent to Paris to keep London informed and receive important information regarding such events as new spies being flown into France from England.

Her biography not only reveals her dedication and the extensive work she conducted in Paris with the Resistance Movement and her ability to avoid the GESTAPO, but also details the extensive training that all agents were subjected to before they were sent into enemy territory.

Melissa Fu’s—Peach blossom spring *****

In 1930s China, one tragedy after another seems to pursue Meilin. As a young wife she becomes a widow. Then with her four-year-old son, Renshu they are forced to flee the family home when the Japanese army approaches. After weeks of travelling by train, then on foot they arrive at a remote inland town where she believes they’ll be safe. Her brother-in-law and wife join them, but as the days pass, Japanese bomber planes reach their village. When finally the war ends in 1945, they move to Shanghai, until the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-shek fight for supremacy. Where can they escape to when it seems that their lives are in danger once again?

Indu Sundaresan’s — The splendor of silence

Once Sam completes a rescue mission in Burma during 1942, he heads to Rudrakot after a plea from his mother back in Seattle, to find out what happened to his brother. In Rudrokot, he boards with the local Tamil political agent where he is drawn to Mila, the agent’s daughter who is expected to marry the state’s prince. Battling the loss of his brother, his growing love for Mila, a wound from his time in Burma, and the prejudice the British and Indians hold against mixed relationships, Sam discovers he cannot win all he desires.