When I started this book, I was thinking oh no, not another difficult to read story about the horror and destruction of war. However, I was pleasantly surprised. While a part of the book is set during World War II, the focus is on relationships, especially fathers and sons. The first person we meet is Henry Lee, a 56 year old Chinese-American man, as he watches the commotion at Seattle’s Panama Hotel. It takes him back to his 12 year old self in 1942, struggling with being bullied at his all-white school and his relationship with his strict old-fashioned father. He quickly forms a bond with a new Japanese-American student, Keiko, a forbidden friendship as far as his father is concerned. His father insists that he be as American as possible and only speak English (despite that his parents do not), yet also always wear an “I am Chinese” button to distinguish himself from the Japanese. Remember that commotion at the Panama Hotel? They found the long-forgotten belongings of Japanese families evacuated to internment camps, including a koi parasol he thinks belonged to his friend Keiko. They kept in contact after her family’s internment, but eventually lost touch. Forty years later, Henry has his own strained relationship with his very modern son. In sharing his childhood story, his son comes to realize Henry isn’t as old fashioned as he thought.
Interested in joining our book club? All you need is your Chestermere Public Library membership. Ask for the next book at the front desk and come join us. The next book discussions are at 7:00pm on January 15 to discuss Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum and February 19 to discuss Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.
