Excellent book. I liked that the author took us back and forth in time, until we had the complete story. An elderly woman (Gretel) lives in a posh apaExcellent book. I liked that the author took us back and forth in time, until we had the complete story. An elderly woman (Gretel) lives in a posh apartment building and a younger couple moves in one floor below her. The husband is a well-known movie producer and his wife a former actress. The little boy is a victim to their marital instability. Gretel's story is heartbreaking, as the daughter of a prominent Nazi commander. His last post was a concentration camp, and his family lived with him a short distance away. Gretel was only 12, but when the Allies took Germany, her mother took her and they fled to France. Gretel has kept that secret, even from her son. Because she cares for the little boy downstairs, that secret is about to be revealed with devastating consequences. ...more
Excellent book based on historical events. I loved the magical islands. Boon and Mei grew up together in a small fishing village in Singapore, under BExcellent book based on historical events. I loved the magical islands. Boon and Mei grew up together in a small fishing village in Singapore, under British rule. The village (kampong) was a tight community and suffered under the Japanese invasion. Mei was the orphan of revolutionary parents who had left her in the care of an uncle when they fled Singapore. As Singapore was being pushed toward big changes, Boon and Mei took different paths. ...more
This was the story of the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during WWII. Cecelia was a Malayan woman who comes into contact with a Japanese man posing aThis was the story of the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during WWII. Cecelia was a Malayan woman who comes into contact with a Japanese man posing as an English dignitary. He was actually a spy for the Imperial Army. Cecelia's husband was an important man, and the spy began grooming her to spy for him. She was told that the Japanese would free them from the British, and they would create an "Asia for Asians". This is historical fiction, but I believe the author did her due diligence and we can glean the hardships of the Malaysians during the Japanese occupation. ...more
**spoiler alert** This is the true story of a group of sailors that were taken as slaves after a shipwreck off the coast of Africa. Unbelievable cruel**spoiler alert** This is the true story of a group of sailors that were taken as slaves after a shipwreck off the coast of Africa. Unbelievable cruelty and starvation met the sailors. I found it unbelievable that these nomads would take slaves yet barely feed nor give them water. Capt. James Riley, a young American captain, was taken as a slave and this is the story of his quest to not only survive, but save most of his crew from the barbaric nomadic tribes. He was very fortunate to be taken by Sidi Hamet, a tribal man who took Riley as a slave after several weeks. This is common, that the tribes will steal slaves or barter to get the slaves they desire. Sidi Hamet found something in Riley that he admired and accepted Riley's offer of money to free him and as many of his shipmates as possible. It took many, many months, but eventually, he was freed along with 4 or 5 others. Unfortunately, many of the sailors were never seen again. ...more
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