Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Call number
F MEI
Publication
Berkley (2019), Edition: 1st Edition, 400 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and As Bright as Heaven comes a novel about a German American teenager whose life changes forever when her immigrant family is sent to an internment camp during World War II. In 1943, Elise Sontag is a typical American teenager from Iowa�??aware of the war but distanced from its reach. Then her father, a legal U.S. resident for nearly two decades, is suddenly arrested on suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer. The family is sent to an internment camp in Texas, where, behind the armed guards and barbed wire, Elise feels stripped of everything beloved and familiar, including her own identity. The only thing that makes the camp bearable is meeting fellow internee Mariko Inoue, a Japanese-American teen from Los Angeles, whose friendship empowers Elise to believe the life she knew before the war will again be hers. Together in the desert wilderness, Elise and Mariko hold tight the dream of being young American women with a future beyond the fences. But when the Sontag family is exchanged for American prisoners behind enemy lines in Germany, Elise will face head-on the person the war desires to make of her. In that devastating crucible she must discover if she has the will to rise above prejudice and hatred and re-claim her own destiny, or disappear into the image others have cast upon her. The Last Year of the War tells a little-known story of World War II with great resonance for our own times and challenges the very notion of who we are when who we�??ve always been is called into que… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member susan0316
The year is 1943 and 14 year old Elise is living a normal teenage life in Iowa. Her parents immigrated from Germany years before but hadn't gotten their citizenship yet. They still have family in Germany and are worried about them but their lives are far removed from the war on a day to day basis.
This is a wonderful, well-written, extremely well researched novel. The character of Elsie is so well written that I cried with her during parts of her story. She is not a character that I will soon forget. I love reading historical fiction and learning history that I didn't know. I knew about the Japanese being sent to internment camps but had no idea that there were Germans sent to camps, too, and I had no idea that some of them were returned to their original country during the war. This is a fantastic book about little known situations with characters who stay in your mind. I highly recommend this new book by the wonderful Susan Meissner.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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UNTIL, Elsie's father is arrested as a possible German spy and sent to an internment camp. Soon Elsie and her mother join him at the camp. Life behind barbed wire is difficult for the children in the camp - who have only known life as Americans - and there is a definite division in the school between the Japanese and the Germans. Elsie and Mariko (a Japanese American teenager from California) become friends and that friendship helps make life in the internment camp bearable for both of them until a forced separation makes life unbearable.This is a wonderful, well-written, extremely well researched novel. The character of Elsie is so well written that I cried with her during parts of her story. She is not a character that I will soon forget. I love reading historical fiction and learning history that I didn't know. I knew about the Japanese being sent to internment camps but had no idea that there were Germans sent to camps, too, and I had no idea that some of them were returned to their original country during the war. This is a fantastic book about little known situations with characters who stay in your mind. I highly recommend this new book by the wonderful Susan Meissner.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member beckyhaase
THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR by Susan Meissner
Well written and well researched this book is one that should not be missed. Mariko and Elise, both American citizens, meet at an internment camp for aliens suspected of being Nazi or Japanese sympathizers because their fathers have been wrongly accused.
The teens and their families are believable and fully developed. The atmosphere of the camp in hot, dusty Texas has a climate that reflects both the weather and the resentment and resignation of those interned. Both families are involuntarily “repatriated” to countries under siege during the final terrifying days of the war.
The interning of American citizens is clearly shown as is the fear the war wreaks upon ordinary citizens in a war zone. In light of the current debates on immigration, this book sheds light on an aspect most American never consider – what happens to ordinary people caught in untenable situations.
Book groups will find much to ponder here. Parent/child book groups might find a companion book in a YA book by Monica Hesse. THE WAR OUTSIDE covers the same camp and some of the same incidents in a manner more appropriate for middle graders.
5 of 5 stars
Well written and well researched this book is one that should not be missed. Mariko and Elise, both American citizens, meet at an internment camp for aliens suspected of being Nazi or Japanese sympathizers because their fathers have been wrongly accused.
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Although one is German and one Japanese, they forge a friendship across the divide.The teens and their families are believable and fully developed. The atmosphere of the camp in hot, dusty Texas has a climate that reflects both the weather and the resentment and resignation of those interned. Both families are involuntarily “repatriated” to countries under siege during the final terrifying days of the war.
The interning of American citizens is clearly shown as is the fear the war wreaks upon ordinary citizens in a war zone. In light of the current debates on immigration, this book sheds light on an aspect most American never consider – what happens to ordinary people caught in untenable situations.
Book groups will find much to ponder here. Parent/child book groups might find a companion book in a YA book by Monica Hesse. THE WAR OUTSIDE covers the same camp and some of the same incidents in a manner more appropriate for middle graders.
5 of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member teachlz
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Last Year of the War” by Susan Meissner, Berkley, March 2019
WOW! WOW!WOW! Susan Meissner, Author of “The Last Year of the War” has written an amazing, unique, riveting, captivating, intense, heart-breaking, emotional and intriguing novel. Susan Meissner
Elise Sontag is an American citizen of German Descent. She goes to school, and lives an American life. Elise doesn’t speak German. When the war breaks out, her German father, a legal United States resident is arrested. and regarded as a spy. He is eventually sent with the rest of the family to Crystal City Internment Camp in Texas. Elise meets a special friend Mariko Inoue, a Japanese American teen who also is in the Internment Camp. Mariko writes a story and wants Elise to help her find an ending.
I appreciate the hours of research that Susan Meissner has done to tell this story. Can you imagine two American teenagers imprisoned because of their backgrounds in the war? Although there was shopping , stores, schools and hospitals, the camp was surrounded by barbed wire.
In the last year of the war, many of the German and Japanese families that were held in the camp, were sent back to Japan and Germany. Germany was being bombed by the Allies, and Elise is at a loss, since she doesn’t speak German. Will Elise and Mariko keep their promise to be friends?
I highly recommend this novel to readers who appreciate World War Two and the unique part of history . Be warned, keep some Kleenex on hand.
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WOW! WOW!WOW! Susan Meissner, Author of “The Last Year of the War” has written an amazing, unique, riveting, captivating, intense, heart-breaking, emotional and intriguing novel. Susan Meissner
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describes vividly the characters, events and landscape in a period in United States History that is often not openly discussed as it should be. The Genres of this Novel and Historical Fiction and Fiction. The story takes place during World War Two, mostly in the United States, but also takes place in Japan and Germany. The timeline goes to the past or future when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The authors describe her characters as complex and complicated due to the circumstances in the story.Elise Sontag is an American citizen of German Descent. She goes to school, and lives an American life. Elise doesn’t speak German. When the war breaks out, her German father, a legal United States resident is arrested. and regarded as a spy. He is eventually sent with the rest of the family to Crystal City Internment Camp in Texas. Elise meets a special friend Mariko Inoue, a Japanese American teen who also is in the Internment Camp. Mariko writes a story and wants Elise to help her find an ending.
I appreciate the hours of research that Susan Meissner has done to tell this story. Can you imagine two American teenagers imprisoned because of their backgrounds in the war? Although there was shopping , stores, schools and hospitals, the camp was surrounded by barbed wire.
In the last year of the war, many of the German and Japanese families that were held in the camp, were sent back to Japan and Germany. Germany was being bombed by the Allies, and Elise is at a loss, since she doesn’t speak German. Will Elise and Mariko keep their promise to be friends?
I highly recommend this novel to readers who appreciate World War Two and the unique part of history . Be warned, keep some Kleenex on hand.
Edit
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LibraryThing member Micheller7
I enjoyed As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner. It had a good story line about the Influenza pandemic, with some engrossing tension, but some slight detours and incongruous subplots. When I read that her newest novel, The Last Year of the War took place at an internment camp near the end of World
I liked this novel very much. It was quite a straight forward story of friendship between two girls. Each born in the United States and fully American, yet detained with their families at Crystal City Internment Camp in Texas. One girl had German parents and the other Japanese. This was an unlikely friendship, but a deep and important one. The story is told by the elderly Elise, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, as she looks back at her life, having just located Mariko, her friend, after many, many years.
Meissner did careful research and inserts quite a bit of the information about those times in the novel. Particularly harrowing is the description of life in Germany for Elise and her family after they are deported from the Texas camp back to Germany. It explains the times and explores the issues these families had to cope with. It is a sad, sweet tale. Well worth the read.
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War II, it sounded like another good read. I also thought it very timely. Although a historical novel, there are many parallels with today's immigration issues. That further interested me. I liked this novel very much. It was quite a straight forward story of friendship between two girls. Each born in the United States and fully American, yet detained with their families at Crystal City Internment Camp in Texas. One girl had German parents and the other Japanese. This was an unlikely friendship, but a deep and important one. The story is told by the elderly Elise, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, as she looks back at her life, having just located Mariko, her friend, after many, many years.
Meissner did careful research and inserts quite a bit of the information about those times in the novel. Particularly harrowing is the description of life in Germany for Elise and her family after they are deported from the Texas camp back to Germany. It explains the times and explores the issues these families had to cope with. It is a sad, sweet tale. Well worth the read.
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LibraryThing member tamidale
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by Susan Meissner that I didn’t enjoy! Her newest work is set during the World War II era. It’s a bit of a different look at the war time since it begins in the United States.
Elise Sonntag is just on the verge of her teen years, when the war breaks out.
While at the camp, she meets Mariko, a Japanese girl from California. They become close friends and make a promise to find each other after the war and go to New York to live their dreams.
Unfortunately, the war, their families and other life events got in the way of their plans and they lost track of each other. Moving the story from past to present, readers discover each girls path and whether or not they will be reunited.
Being a life-long Texan, I had no idea that there were internment camps in Texas during the years of the war. Learning something new from history is one of the things I love about historical fiction.
Many thanks to Penguin’s First to Read for providing me with an advance copy to read and give my honest review.
Elise Sonntag is just on the verge of her teen years, when the war breaks out.
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Her parents immigrated from Germany before she was born, so life in the United States is all she’s ever known. Because of some accusations against her father, Elise and her family end up in an internment camp in Texas. While at the camp, she meets Mariko, a Japanese girl from California. They become close friends and make a promise to find each other after the war and go to New York to live their dreams.
Unfortunately, the war, their families and other life events got in the way of their plans and they lost track of each other. Moving the story from past to present, readers discover each girls path and whether or not they will be reunited.
Being a life-long Texan, I had no idea that there were internment camps in Texas during the years of the war. Learning something new from history is one of the things I love about historical fiction.
Many thanks to Penguin’s First to Read for providing me with an advance copy to read and give my honest review.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Review of Advance Reader’s Edition
Iowa, home for teenager Elise Sontag caught up in worrying about school and friends, is far-removed from the Second World War. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor catapults her family into its ugliness when suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer falls on her father.
In Crystal City, with its barbed wire and ever-present guards, Elise feels she has lost everything . . . even herself. Struggling to understand how this horror could have befallen her family when they’d done nothing wrong, she finds a soulmate in a fellow detainee, a Japanese girl her own age named Mariko. The two teens quickly become inseparable and Elise slowly begins to believe that her life will be as it once was as soon as the war is over.
Then comes the devastating news that the Sontag family, chosen for repatriation to Germany in exchange for some American prisoners behind enemy lines, will soon leave Crystal City. There will be no returning to Davenport, no picking up the pieces of their lives there. Elise, finally feeling some happiness with Mariko, finds herself ripped away from her life once again. Elise is an American; she doesn’t want to go to Germany.
But, for her, there are no choices and the family relocates to Germany. Will Elise be able to find herself once again? Will she be able to be the person she really is, inside, or will she be lost in the expectations of others?
The narrative alternates between the present day and the years of the war and its aftermath. Each of the four sections opens with Elise’s present day, then slips into the past to detail her life, first following her father’s arrest, then in Crystal City, then in Germany, and, finally, after the war. There’s a cohesiveness to the unfolding story with Elise’s search for herself becoming the defining connector for each section.
With well-defined characters and a strong sense of place, the riveting story of Elise’s numbing bewilderment as she struggles to find her place in a world turned upside down offers readers several unexpected twists. The careful weaving of fact into this fictional account strengthens the emotional impact of Elise’s story and her heartbreak at feeling like an enemy in her own homeland as well as in war-torn Germany.
The harrowing tale is often gut-wrenching, terrifying in its depiction of how easily life can become unraveled even as it affirms its goodness and joy. It’s an unputdownable, multi-layered story of heartbreak and joy, of fear and hope, of love and life that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Read It Forward
Iowa, home for teenager Elise Sontag caught up in worrying about school and friends, is far-removed from the Second World War. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor catapults her family into its ugliness when suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer falls on her father.
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Although the Sontags have lived in America for almost twenty years, and both Elise and her brother, Max, are American citizens, the family ends up in Crystal City, an internment camp in Texas. In Crystal City, with its barbed wire and ever-present guards, Elise feels she has lost everything . . . even herself. Struggling to understand how this horror could have befallen her family when they’d done nothing wrong, she finds a soulmate in a fellow detainee, a Japanese girl her own age named Mariko. The two teens quickly become inseparable and Elise slowly begins to believe that her life will be as it once was as soon as the war is over.
Then comes the devastating news that the Sontag family, chosen for repatriation to Germany in exchange for some American prisoners behind enemy lines, will soon leave Crystal City. There will be no returning to Davenport, no picking up the pieces of their lives there. Elise, finally feeling some happiness with Mariko, finds herself ripped away from her life once again. Elise is an American; she doesn’t want to go to Germany.
But, for her, there are no choices and the family relocates to Germany. Will Elise be able to find herself once again? Will she be able to be the person she really is, inside, or will she be lost in the expectations of others?
The narrative alternates between the present day and the years of the war and its aftermath. Each of the four sections opens with Elise’s present day, then slips into the past to detail her life, first following her father’s arrest, then in Crystal City, then in Germany, and, finally, after the war. There’s a cohesiveness to the unfolding story with Elise’s search for herself becoming the defining connector for each section.
With well-defined characters and a strong sense of place, the riveting story of Elise’s numbing bewilderment as she struggles to find her place in a world turned upside down offers readers several unexpected twists. The careful weaving of fact into this fictional account strengthens the emotional impact of Elise’s story and her heartbreak at feeling like an enemy in her own homeland as well as in war-torn Germany.
The harrowing tale is often gut-wrenching, terrifying in its depiction of how easily life can become unraveled even as it affirms its goodness and joy. It’s an unputdownable, multi-layered story of heartbreak and joy, of fear and hope, of love and life that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page. Don’t miss this one.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Read It Forward
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LibraryThing member Cherylk
I have seen this author's name and books surface the internet but I had yet to actually pick up a book. So, when I got the chance to read this book; I jumped at the chance. It storyline is right up my alley.
While, I did enjoy this book, not as much as I wanted to "love" it. This is because for me,
My reading pacing for this book was on the slow side. However, this still was a good read in my book. There were some good things about this book that I did like. The time period and storyline. I would try reading another book by this author.
While, I did enjoy this book, not as much as I wanted to "love" it. This is because for me,
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I found myself suffering from the strong emotional human connection towards Elise and Mariko. While both women had good stories to share about their lives; there was a bit of a barrier that kept me from fully embracing them. Due to this factor, my excitement level was brought down some pegs. My reading pacing for this book was on the slow side. However, this still was a good read in my book. There were some good things about this book that I did like. The time period and storyline. I would try reading another book by this author.
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LibraryThing member BettyTaylor56
Susan Meissner’s newest book is about a German American teen girl who meets her best friend in an internment camp during World War II. We meet present day Elise Sontag Dove as an elderly lady who is battling Alzheimer’s. She is determined to find her old friend Japanese American Mariko Inoue.
But while Elise and Mariko’s friendship is a big part of the story, it is not the primary storyline. That honor belongs to Elise who narrates the book and took me along on her journey as she sadly lost everything, as she painfully matured, and as she decisively took control of her life in an effort to regain what had been taken from her. I loved Elise as she was strong, independent, adaptable, level headed, and loyal.
This beautifully written story is about forever friendships, family bonds, adaptability, bravery, determination and even a little romance. But it also contains great historical information about the internment camps and the families forced into them and about the repatriation program, exchanging interned families for POWs held in Germany and Japan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Tall Poppies for an advance e-galley to review. All opinions are my own.
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The story then flashes back to 1943 when in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor Elise’s father is labeled a Nazi sympathizer and her whole family is forced into an internment camp in Texas. Elise is alone and bored until she meets Mariko. After 18 months in the camp, the girls are suddenly torn apart as their parents are repatriated. While Elise was born in the US and doesn’t even speak the German language, her parents were German immigrants. Elise and her family are shipped off to Germany in the last year of the war where they come face to face with the struggle to survive alongside other Germans who are continuing to face food shortages, bombings, destruction and death. Through all this turmoil, Elise hangs on to the dreams she and Mariko had as 18-year-olds to eventually move to New York City together to pursue careers. But while Elise and Mariko’s friendship is a big part of the story, it is not the primary storyline. That honor belongs to Elise who narrates the book and took me along on her journey as she sadly lost everything, as she painfully matured, and as she decisively took control of her life in an effort to regain what had been taken from her. I loved Elise as she was strong, independent, adaptable, level headed, and loyal.
This beautifully written story is about forever friendships, family bonds, adaptability, bravery, determination and even a little romance. But it also contains great historical information about the internment camps and the families forced into them and about the repatriation program, exchanging interned families for POWs held in Germany and Japan.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Tall Poppies for an advance e-galley to review. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
The Last Year of the War has an interesting premise about families interned in a camp during World War II. I like that we get to experience it from a young girl’s perspective. Elise and Mariko were both born in the United States. They enjoy the latest music, going to the movies, chatting with
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their girlfriends and eating Twinkies. Suddenly, their lives are forever changed. They are taken away from their homes, their friends and extended family and thrust into a new world. They live in small apartments without showering facilities, but there are shops, vegetable gardens, different types of schools, a pool and other amenities. They have everything they need except the freedom to leave. I found it intriguing to learn the details of internment camps (information not included in history class). We get to see how people’s lives changed overnight and how they had no control over their future. I found The Last Year of the War to be well-written with developed characters. I did find the pace to be on the slow side. The story alternates between 2010 and the past. Just when you get involved in the past, we jump back to the present (and vice versa). It was a little disconcerting. I would then have to remember where we left off in the past and what had happened. When I finished the story, though, I could see why the author laid it out in this manner. The author captured the time period especially with her descriptions of the devastation in Germany. I can tell that she did her research for this novel (very evident). I especially appreciated the information she included at the end of the book (author’s note). I wish there had been more emotion in the story. That is the one thing it lacked. The Last Year of the War is a good book, but it is not my favorite by this author (Lady in Waiting and The Shape of Mercy are two of my favorites). I am giving The Last Year of the War 4 out of 5 stars. Those readers who love historical fiction will find The Last Year of the War to be a compelling novel. The Last Year of the War is a story of hope, friendship, promises and staying true to ourselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member SilversReviews
A friendship made in an internment camp during WWII that lasted only eighteen months, but bonds and memories that lasted a lifetime.
Elise and Mariko met during WWII while attending school in an internment camp for Japanese and German Americans.
We follow both girls through their eighteen months in
At this time in their lives, Elise was suffering from dementia, and she found out Mariko was dying from stage four breast cancer.
Even though Elise had trouble remembering things, she remembered enough to find Mariko, to get on a plane, and to find her before they both were no longer alive.
THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR is a marvelous history lesson and a testament to enduring friendship and learning lessons and making decisions.
The subject matter wasn't light, but it was wonderful learning more about this time in history. I actually wasn't aware of all that happened. It is very obvious that Ms. Meissner did extensive research and perfectly fit the facts into her book.
If you enjoy historical fiction and Ms. Meissner's books, you will want to make room on your bookshelf for THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR.
As all of her books, the beautiful flow of Ms. Meissner's writing and her attention to detail make the book a treat to read. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Elise and Mariko met during WWII while attending school in an internment camp for Japanese and German Americans.
We follow both girls through their eighteen months in
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the camp as well as after even though the friends never saw each other again until they were older adults. They tried to connect with each other, but they never were able to. At this time in their lives, Elise was suffering from dementia, and she found out Mariko was dying from stage four breast cancer.
Even though Elise had trouble remembering things, she remembered enough to find Mariko, to get on a plane, and to find her before they both were no longer alive.
THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR is a marvelous history lesson and a testament to enduring friendship and learning lessons and making decisions.
The subject matter wasn't light, but it was wonderful learning more about this time in history. I actually wasn't aware of all that happened. It is very obvious that Ms. Meissner did extensive research and perfectly fit the facts into her book.
If you enjoy historical fiction and Ms. Meissner's books, you will want to make room on your bookshelf for THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR.
As all of her books, the beautiful flow of Ms. Meissner's writing and her attention to detail make the book a treat to read. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
This novel about the friendship of two young girls in a WWII internment camp stretches across decades and tells a story of internment and repatriation. The children of German and Japanese parents, Elise and Mariko first met in Crystal City, Texas, where their parents are interned. They forge a
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friendship despite the tensions between the Germans and Japanese at Crystal City - a friendship that is severely tested when first Elise's and then Mariko's families are repatriated to Germany and Japan. Despite being raised in the United States and being American citizens, Elise and Mariko find themselves traveling with their families to their parents' home countries - in the middle of a war. While I knew that repatriation occurred during WWII, this novel really brought home to me what that process actually meant for the families that experienced it. Overall, this was an engaging novel and highly recommended for WWII historical fiction fans. Show Less
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Elise and family are interned along with the Japanese during WWII. Despite having immigrated to the U.S. almost twenty years ago, the family is suspected of being Nazi sympathizer. At the camp, Elise meets Mariko, a Japanese-American teenager. They develop a quick bond and become best friends.
I thought the early story of Elise was a pretty interesting one. I didn't particularly enjoy the story of elderly Elise. It seemed odd that a woman who lead such a rich life would be so focused on Mariko, when their relationship was such a flitting moment in her life. I will pick up the next book by this author, she is a great story teller.
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Elise and her family are deported to Germany, where she lives for the last year of the war. Elise writes Mariko letters, but they are returned. An elderly Elise, suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, does a Google search and finds that Mariko has moved back to California. I thought the early story of Elise was a pretty interesting one. I didn't particularly enjoy the story of elderly Elise. It seemed odd that a woman who lead such a rich life would be so focused on Mariko, when their relationship was such a flitting moment in her life. I will pick up the next book by this author, she is a great story teller.
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LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
The Last Year of the War, Susan Meissner, author; Kimberly Farr, narrator
Two young teenaged girls meet in an internment camp called Crystal City, in Texas, after the United States enters World War II. Although they are residents there, with their needs provided for, they are really prisoners. One,
In 2010, Elise Sontag Dove is 81 years old and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. She refers to the disease almost as an alter ego named Agnes and notes that Agnes is always trying to take over her mind. Sometimes, she can resist, sometimes she cannot. She has no idea for how much longer her brain will work. When her young housekeeper introduces her to Google and shows her how to do a search, she searches for and finds a possible match to her old friend Mariko. There is someone with the same name living in Los Angeles. If it is Mariko, she too is 81. Elise would really like to reunite with her, and she makes arrangements to travel there, hoping that Mariko is still alive and that “Agnes” will not interfere to prevent their reunion.
As the novel develops, Elise tells the story of her friendship with Mariko which began in 1943 when they were both interned with their families. She relates what has happened in her life since they were separated in 1944. Mariko’s family was sent to Crystal City after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The government feared that the Japanese Americans might have dual loyalties with a conflict about their devotion to their country of origin or their country of choice. They were easily identified so they were rounded up and their bank accounts were frozen, communication to others was limited to them, and their belongings were sacrificed since they could only take a limited amount with them to the camp. Basically, their lives were stolen.
Elise’s family was interned based on circumstantial evidence, a copy of a book, a careless remark by her father, his career as a chemist, and simple gossip. It was enough to condemn her father as a security risk. He was arrested leaving her mother to fend for herself without enough money or resources to do so effectively. They, too, had their bank accounts frozen and were limited in communicating with outsiders. Her father petitioned to be transferred to a family “camp”, even though it might mean that they would eventually be sent back to Germany and not allowed to remain in the United States. He knew that his wife was unable to deal with the situation alone. She was frail emotionally. When his request was granted, they were sent to Crystal City. For both families, their former lives were erased. Eventually, the children’s education was interrupted and their dreams were placed on hold.
Both families had lived in America for years and the children were American, but the parents were now immigrants from countries at war with America. They were possibly enemy aliens and as such had to be monitored. Before the war ended, Elise’s family was repatriated to Germany, traded for Americans as her father had feared. To keep his family together, he had risked that outcome for them and now they were sent to a war torn country. After the war ended, Mariko’s Family was sent back to Japan. Her father wished to return to Japan and had requested it. Mariko spoke Japanese, but she had never been to Japan. Elise neither spoke German nor had she ever been to Germany. Both came from different cultures and family values which affected their futures and separated the friends for decades.
Mariko’s father remained Japanese, above all, and he insisted on the same for his family. He followed the old ways and culture of total obeisance and obedience. Soon after their return to Japan, he arranged a marriage for Mariko, now 17. She was forbidden to contact Elise who was considered a dangerous influence by her father. Elise’s father was far more open-minded, compassionate and rational. He showed his daughter tremendous respect and was grateful for her maturity in the face of so much evil. Now, at 17, living and working in Germany, she fortuitously meets a very wealthy American soldier who offers her an escape route back to America. Her father gives his permission for her to marry. Soon she is back in America where she eventually lives the good life, not without further trials, however. Still, David Dove proves to be her knight in shining armor. He lived in a “castle”, a mansion in Los Angeles. He had a trust fund, and she would never want for anything again.
As the story is told, there is almost too much detail making it play out very slowly. Also, the story tends to get too syrupy, at times, which tended to diminish its impact. Elise is portrayed as a perfect specimen of a human being, always understanding and compassionate, always adjusting to the situation and accepting it, although she is merely a child for most of the book. Her father insists he is an American, and he always offers rational, compassionate advice. He always quietly deals with what has befallen them. The brief friendship between the two teens also seemed to hold too much power over Elise’s life. Its influence caused her great sadness and, perhaps, it was used by the author to show that although she was placed in a situation as an adult, she was merely a young girl robbed of her childhood, forced to deal with an untenable situation. She and Mariko both seemed to be able to make very adult decisions.
Therefore, the story often feels contrived as if its purpose is to lecture the reader about right and wrong, good and evil. At times, the novel seemed more like a fairy tale with a happy ending for all. Elise finds her prince, Mariko falls in love with her prince, everyone winds up with a satisfactory life. Even Elise’s married name seems to be contrived. The dove is a symbol of peace and love, innocence and purity, all of the conflicts faced in the book. Elise, at the end, as Mrs. Dove, discovers her calling in life, the calling she had searched for since childhood. She was born to provide love in the world.
There was a subtle condemnation of Communism, in the character of a naïve David Dove, a budding Communist, and its opposite in the character of his brother, Hugh Dove, who was more realistic, but kind as a capitalist. Overall, though, the Doves were symbols of the decadence and selfishness of the rich and Elise was the symbol of the charity and compassion of those less fortunate who were not greedy. She was portrayed nun-like in her thoughts, as much more humane than most, always willing to sacrifice her own needs for the needs of others. Sometimes poor choices were made, but they were described as the only possible choice to be made under the circumstances. The consequences ultimately led back to redemption and reward. Everyone was a victim, in some way, and most were redeemed in some way in the end.
The narrator read the book a little too slowly, over-enunciated and over-emoted making herself too much a part of the story. At times, I wasn’t even sure I would finish the book because the author seemed to be trying to find good in all evil, even when there was no good to be found, and the narrative seemed to be directed to a younger audience. Every character seemed to be using someone for something and rationalizing that behavior. At other times, everything seemed whitewashed rather than authentic, as if the author would provide a happy ending, no matter where the story led. I thought the book would have been better titled “Pollyanna Redux”, since it dripped with idealism and a progressive message of “absolute kindness” in the face of “absolute power” which corrupts.
The author seemed to want the reader to understand that the Germans suffered as well as the other victims of the war. She overlooked or didn’t concern herself with the fact that they were possibly complicit. Fear was no excuse. Greed, jealousy and nationalism drove most of them. They could not have remained as ignorant as they professed to be about the heinous behavior of their government. After all, Hitler did not keep his dreams of Aryan dominance a secret! Where did they think the Jews and other victims were? Why did they move into their homes and take their belongings? Ultimately, however, FDR’s administration should not have interned these Americans. It was the leaders of their country of origin that were evil. The book does shine a light on this American injustice.
in the end, the book was well researched and covered a lot of territory regarding facts, but it was presented as a fairy tale. It philosophized and lectured me as I read, regarding political views and lifestyles, class division and economic inequality, being a native of a country or a “foreigner”. It appeared to be trying to reinforce the idea that we are all the same, with the same desires and love of life and family, regardless of how we look, where we come from, how much money we have, or what type of employment, which is a noble thought and goal. Perhaps, also, as Hitler brainwashed the German people, and the Emperor of Japan ruled the minds of the Japanese, the author used Alzheimers to reinforce the idea that we sometimes cannot have dominion over our own thoughts and actions. I believe that many of the glowing reviews were given because of its progressive message in this current political climate.
Two young teenaged girls meet in an internment camp called Crystal City, in Texas, after the United States enters World War II. Although they are residents there, with their needs provided for, they are really prisoners. One,
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Elise Sontag (now Elise Dove), is from Germany and the other, Mariko Inoue Hayashi, is from Japan. Over a period of about a year, the friends become as close as family. They share their innermost thoughts and dreams with each other which is what helps them to survive this trying time. They make a pact to meet after the war. Together, they will find jobs in New York and face their future. They are, after all, Americans! This time frame in American history will remain a stain on America because of the grave injustices perpetrated upon many innocent victims of circumstance.In 2010, Elise Sontag Dove is 81 years old and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. She refers to the disease almost as an alter ego named Agnes and notes that Agnes is always trying to take over her mind. Sometimes, she can resist, sometimes she cannot. She has no idea for how much longer her brain will work. When her young housekeeper introduces her to Google and shows her how to do a search, she searches for and finds a possible match to her old friend Mariko. There is someone with the same name living in Los Angeles. If it is Mariko, she too is 81. Elise would really like to reunite with her, and she makes arrangements to travel there, hoping that Mariko is still alive and that “Agnes” will not interfere to prevent their reunion.
As the novel develops, Elise tells the story of her friendship with Mariko which began in 1943 when they were both interned with their families. She relates what has happened in her life since they were separated in 1944. Mariko’s family was sent to Crystal City after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The government feared that the Japanese Americans might have dual loyalties with a conflict about their devotion to their country of origin or their country of choice. They were easily identified so they were rounded up and their bank accounts were frozen, communication to others was limited to them, and their belongings were sacrificed since they could only take a limited amount with them to the camp. Basically, their lives were stolen.
Elise’s family was interned based on circumstantial evidence, a copy of a book, a careless remark by her father, his career as a chemist, and simple gossip. It was enough to condemn her father as a security risk. He was arrested leaving her mother to fend for herself without enough money or resources to do so effectively. They, too, had their bank accounts frozen and were limited in communicating with outsiders. Her father petitioned to be transferred to a family “camp”, even though it might mean that they would eventually be sent back to Germany and not allowed to remain in the United States. He knew that his wife was unable to deal with the situation alone. She was frail emotionally. When his request was granted, they were sent to Crystal City. For both families, their former lives were erased. Eventually, the children’s education was interrupted and their dreams were placed on hold.
Both families had lived in America for years and the children were American, but the parents were now immigrants from countries at war with America. They were possibly enemy aliens and as such had to be monitored. Before the war ended, Elise’s family was repatriated to Germany, traded for Americans as her father had feared. To keep his family together, he had risked that outcome for them and now they were sent to a war torn country. After the war ended, Mariko’s Family was sent back to Japan. Her father wished to return to Japan and had requested it. Mariko spoke Japanese, but she had never been to Japan. Elise neither spoke German nor had she ever been to Germany. Both came from different cultures and family values which affected their futures and separated the friends for decades.
Mariko’s father remained Japanese, above all, and he insisted on the same for his family. He followed the old ways and culture of total obeisance and obedience. Soon after their return to Japan, he arranged a marriage for Mariko, now 17. She was forbidden to contact Elise who was considered a dangerous influence by her father. Elise’s father was far more open-minded, compassionate and rational. He showed his daughter tremendous respect and was grateful for her maturity in the face of so much evil. Now, at 17, living and working in Germany, she fortuitously meets a very wealthy American soldier who offers her an escape route back to America. Her father gives his permission for her to marry. Soon she is back in America where she eventually lives the good life, not without further trials, however. Still, David Dove proves to be her knight in shining armor. He lived in a “castle”, a mansion in Los Angeles. He had a trust fund, and she would never want for anything again.
As the story is told, there is almost too much detail making it play out very slowly. Also, the story tends to get too syrupy, at times, which tended to diminish its impact. Elise is portrayed as a perfect specimen of a human being, always understanding and compassionate, always adjusting to the situation and accepting it, although she is merely a child for most of the book. Her father insists he is an American, and he always offers rational, compassionate advice. He always quietly deals with what has befallen them. The brief friendship between the two teens also seemed to hold too much power over Elise’s life. Its influence caused her great sadness and, perhaps, it was used by the author to show that although she was placed in a situation as an adult, she was merely a young girl robbed of her childhood, forced to deal with an untenable situation. She and Mariko both seemed to be able to make very adult decisions.
Therefore, the story often feels contrived as if its purpose is to lecture the reader about right and wrong, good and evil. At times, the novel seemed more like a fairy tale with a happy ending for all. Elise finds her prince, Mariko falls in love with her prince, everyone winds up with a satisfactory life. Even Elise’s married name seems to be contrived. The dove is a symbol of peace and love, innocence and purity, all of the conflicts faced in the book. Elise, at the end, as Mrs. Dove, discovers her calling in life, the calling she had searched for since childhood. She was born to provide love in the world.
There was a subtle condemnation of Communism, in the character of a naïve David Dove, a budding Communist, and its opposite in the character of his brother, Hugh Dove, who was more realistic, but kind as a capitalist. Overall, though, the Doves were symbols of the decadence and selfishness of the rich and Elise was the symbol of the charity and compassion of those less fortunate who were not greedy. She was portrayed nun-like in her thoughts, as much more humane than most, always willing to sacrifice her own needs for the needs of others. Sometimes poor choices were made, but they were described as the only possible choice to be made under the circumstances. The consequences ultimately led back to redemption and reward. Everyone was a victim, in some way, and most were redeemed in some way in the end.
The narrator read the book a little too slowly, over-enunciated and over-emoted making herself too much a part of the story. At times, I wasn’t even sure I would finish the book because the author seemed to be trying to find good in all evil, even when there was no good to be found, and the narrative seemed to be directed to a younger audience. Every character seemed to be using someone for something and rationalizing that behavior. At other times, everything seemed whitewashed rather than authentic, as if the author would provide a happy ending, no matter where the story led. I thought the book would have been better titled “Pollyanna Redux”, since it dripped with idealism and a progressive message of “absolute kindness” in the face of “absolute power” which corrupts.
The author seemed to want the reader to understand that the Germans suffered as well as the other victims of the war. She overlooked or didn’t concern herself with the fact that they were possibly complicit. Fear was no excuse. Greed, jealousy and nationalism drove most of them. They could not have remained as ignorant as they professed to be about the heinous behavior of their government. After all, Hitler did not keep his dreams of Aryan dominance a secret! Where did they think the Jews and other victims were? Why did they move into their homes and take their belongings? Ultimately, however, FDR’s administration should not have interned these Americans. It was the leaders of their country of origin that were evil. The book does shine a light on this American injustice.
in the end, the book was well researched and covered a lot of territory regarding facts, but it was presented as a fairy tale. It philosophized and lectured me as I read, regarding political views and lifestyles, class division and economic inequality, being a native of a country or a “foreigner”. It appeared to be trying to reinforce the idea that we are all the same, with the same desires and love of life and family, regardless of how we look, where we come from, how much money we have, or what type of employment, which is a noble thought and goal. Perhaps, also, as Hitler brainwashed the German people, and the Emperor of Japan ruled the minds of the Japanese, the author used Alzheimers to reinforce the idea that we sometimes cannot have dominion over our own thoughts and actions. I believe that many of the glowing reviews were given because of its progressive message in this current political climate.
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LibraryThing member nancyadair
For several years my husband's department secretary was a Japanese American who came of age in a WWII internment camp. Her stories were the first I had encountered. Later I learned that German Americans were also identified as suspect hostile aliens and sent to internment camps. But before reading
The Last Year of the War is Elise's life story. Her parents were born in Germany and love their homeland but embraced America wholeheartedly. Elise is a typical American girl.
Mariko is another American born child of immigrant parents. Her Japanese parents have held to their heritage and identity.
Circumstantial evidence flag their fathers as potential alien enemies, their goods and money confiscated, and the fathers interned. At Crystal City their families can join them, but with the agreement that they may be repatriated to their homelands.
Elise is lost and angry until she meets Mariko. They bond and become best friends, sharing dreams of turning eighteen and moving to New York City together to pursue careers.
Through these sympathetic characters, readers learn about life at the internment camps, and, when Elise's family is sent to Germany, life in war-torn Germany.
Elise struggles with being an American in the land of her enemies, while to her parents it is their homeland. Mariko's America dreams are shattered by her traditional parents' expectations.
Readers of Historical Fiction will love this book. I commend Meissner for bringing this aspect of American history to light, especially in the context of America's current distrust of immigrants.
Meissner sidesteps vilification of the German people, noting that Elise's German family were required to hang a portrait of Adolph Hitler on the wall and describing the destruction of German cities and civilian losses and hardships. The perils of war are addressed, including the harassment and rape of German girls by the occupation army after the war.
Elise does find her place in the world, not the life she dreamt of as a teenager, and she finds love.
I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
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The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner I had not heard of the repatriation program, exchanging interned families for POWs held by Germany and Japan.The Last Year of the War is Elise's life story. Her parents were born in Germany and love their homeland but embraced America wholeheartedly. Elise is a typical American girl.
Mariko is another American born child of immigrant parents. Her Japanese parents have held to their heritage and identity.
Circumstantial evidence flag their fathers as potential alien enemies, their goods and money confiscated, and the fathers interned. At Crystal City their families can join them, but with the agreement that they may be repatriated to their homelands.
Elise is lost and angry until she meets Mariko. They bond and become best friends, sharing dreams of turning eighteen and moving to New York City together to pursue careers.
Through these sympathetic characters, readers learn about life at the internment camps, and, when Elise's family is sent to Germany, life in war-torn Germany.
Elise struggles with being an American in the land of her enemies, while to her parents it is their homeland. Mariko's America dreams are shattered by her traditional parents' expectations.
Readers of Historical Fiction will love this book. I commend Meissner for bringing this aspect of American history to light, especially in the context of America's current distrust of immigrants.
Meissner sidesteps vilification of the German people, noting that Elise's German family were required to hang a portrait of Adolph Hitler on the wall and describing the destruction of German cities and civilian losses and hardships. The perils of war are addressed, including the harassment and rape of German girls by the occupation army after the war.
Elise does find her place in the world, not the life she dreamt of as a teenager, and she finds love.
I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member Alphawoman
It was an okay book that I picked up from the rack of new books at the main library. Historical fiction about WWII internment camps and the absolute horror of sending families back to war zones!!
LibraryThing member lamour
Elsie Sontag lives in 1943 Iowa and is enjoying a happy teenage life. Aware of the war being fought in various parts of the world, she pays it little attention until the FBI show up at her home to arrest her father as an enemy alien. Friends and neighbours abandon her and her family and soon there
Her father decides he cannot live without his family and is worried about his fragile wife agrees to move to Crystal City Texas where there is an internment camp for families. He doesn't tell his family that in order to make this happen, he agrees to be repatriated back to Germany at the first opportunity. He expects the war to end before this will take place but to his anguished surprise, the family is shipped back to Germany in late 1944 where they live in cities bombed by the US Air Force.
Also in the camp in Texas are Japanese aliens moved from the West Coast. A Japanese girl, Mariko, becomes Sonia's best friend. In the novel we also find out about the trials of the Japanese Americans as they were stripped of their possessions and put in camps in the interior of the country.
While this is a novel, the content about the camp at Crystal River is true and accurate and you can go there today and see the site marked by historical markers.
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is little money to pay for food and rent.Her father decides he cannot live without his family and is worried about his fragile wife agrees to move to Crystal City Texas where there is an internment camp for families. He doesn't tell his family that in order to make this happen, he agrees to be repatriated back to Germany at the first opportunity. He expects the war to end before this will take place but to his anguished surprise, the family is shipped back to Germany in late 1944 where they live in cities bombed by the US Air Force.
Also in the camp in Texas are Japanese aliens moved from the West Coast. A Japanese girl, Mariko, becomes Sonia's best friend. In the novel we also find out about the trials of the Japanese Americans as they were stripped of their possessions and put in camps in the interior of the country.
While this is a novel, the content about the camp at Crystal River is true and accurate and you can go there today and see the site marked by historical markers.
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LibraryThing member carissaburks
A different take on a World War 2 historical novel, at least from the ones that I have read. I believe it shone a light on an important part of the war, the families falsely put into internment camps and then sent back to countries that were war torn.
It was a book that grabbed my attention and
Definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction novels. It's one I plan on keeping and rereading again.
(Note: I got this book in exchange for an honest review through Goodreads Giveaways.)
It was a book that grabbed my attention and
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sucked me in. Both well-written and a good plot drove this book forward.Definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction novels. It's one I plan on keeping and rereading again.
(Note: I got this book in exchange for an honest review through Goodreads Giveaways.)
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LibraryThing member kbranfield
A Recommended Read.
The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner is a poignant, informative novel that highlights a little mentioned, shameful piece of American history.
In 1943, fourteen year old Elise Sontag, her younger brother Max and her German immigrant parents' peaceful life in Iowa is torn
Shocked to find themselves living behind fences with armed guards, Elise forms a close friendship with Mariko Inoue, a Japanese American teenager whose family is from Los Angeles. Elise and Mariko are inseparable during the eighteen months before the Sontag family is repatriated to Germany and the Inoues wait to learn if they will repatriate to Japan. Clinging to the plan she and Mariko make to reunite after they turn eighteen, Elise and her parents are stunned by the life which awaits them in Germany. Will Elise and Mariko return to America? Or does fate have other plans for the two young women?
Despite their German heritage, Elise and Max have been raised to be Americans. They do not speak German nor have they ever stepped foot in Germany. Like everyone else in their community, they are touched by the effects of World War II but they are not viewed as they enemy. Elise and her small family are shocked by her father's arrest and how quickly their friends and neighbors turn on them afterward. Elise soon realizes her mother does not have the strength to endure their situation without her husband, so she understands her father's decision to move all of them to Crystal City. However, she is shocked by their repatriation to Germany where the Allies are quickly defeating the Reich.
Life in war torn Germany is dangerous and Elise clings to her friendship with Mariko and continues to dream of their reunion. As months pass without word from her friend, Elise gradually adjusts to her new circumstances. She never sees herself as anything but American as she begins to realize Max and her parents are becoming more entrenched in Germany. When her hopes are dashed that she will ever see Mariko again, Elise's friendship with American soldier Ralph Dove leads to an unexpected decision that will forever change her life.
The Last Year of the War is an unflinching portrait of the hardships endured by German, Japanese and Italian immigrants who were viewed as the enemy after America enters World War II. These families endured harsh conditions in internment camps and many were forced to return to their mother countries in exchange for Americans caught behind enemy lines. Elise's and Mariko's friendship transcends their differences and sustains them as they are forced to leave the United States. With impeccable research, a compelling storyline and appealing characters, Susan Meissner brings this little known part of America's past vibrantly to life. I was absolutely captivated throughout this deeply affecting, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting novel. A must read that details a very dark time in American history.
The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner is a poignant, informative novel that highlights a little mentioned, shameful piece of American history.
In 1943, fourteen year old Elise Sontag, her younger brother Max and her German immigrant parents' peaceful life in Iowa is torn
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asunder. Elise's father is arrested by the FBI then sent to an internment camp which leaves the rest of the family struggling to make ends meet. With her mother not handling the situation well, her father makes the decision to ask for the family to reunited and sent to live together at the Crystal City internment camp in Texas. There, Elise and her family live side by side with Japanese American and Italian American families. Shocked to find themselves living behind fences with armed guards, Elise forms a close friendship with Mariko Inoue, a Japanese American teenager whose family is from Los Angeles. Elise and Mariko are inseparable during the eighteen months before the Sontag family is repatriated to Germany and the Inoues wait to learn if they will repatriate to Japan. Clinging to the plan she and Mariko make to reunite after they turn eighteen, Elise and her parents are stunned by the life which awaits them in Germany. Will Elise and Mariko return to America? Or does fate have other plans for the two young women?
Despite their German heritage, Elise and Max have been raised to be Americans. They do not speak German nor have they ever stepped foot in Germany. Like everyone else in their community, they are touched by the effects of World War II but they are not viewed as they enemy. Elise and her small family are shocked by her father's arrest and how quickly their friends and neighbors turn on them afterward. Elise soon realizes her mother does not have the strength to endure their situation without her husband, so she understands her father's decision to move all of them to Crystal City. However, she is shocked by their repatriation to Germany where the Allies are quickly defeating the Reich.
Life in war torn Germany is dangerous and Elise clings to her friendship with Mariko and continues to dream of their reunion. As months pass without word from her friend, Elise gradually adjusts to her new circumstances. She never sees herself as anything but American as she begins to realize Max and her parents are becoming more entrenched in Germany. When her hopes are dashed that she will ever see Mariko again, Elise's friendship with American soldier Ralph Dove leads to an unexpected decision that will forever change her life.
The Last Year of the War is an unflinching portrait of the hardships endured by German, Japanese and Italian immigrants who were viewed as the enemy after America enters World War II. These families endured harsh conditions in internment camps and many were forced to return to their mother countries in exchange for Americans caught behind enemy lines. Elise's and Mariko's friendship transcends their differences and sustains them as they are forced to leave the United States. With impeccable research, a compelling storyline and appealing characters, Susan Meissner brings this little known part of America's past vibrantly to life. I was absolutely captivated throughout this deeply affecting, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting novel. A must read that details a very dark time in American history.
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LibraryThing member shazjhb
Very interesting book. Enjoyed both girls. Unsure why Ralph proposed.
LibraryThing member Nancyjcbs
The Last Year of the War is the story of an American girl whose German parents have been living in the United States for many years but haven’t yet gained citizenship. Elise’s father is a chemist who comes under suspicion after World War II breaks out.
The family is uprooted from their home and
The family is uprooted from their home and
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their path beyond the end of the war takes a turn rooted in history. I was unaware of the numbers of Germans treated as this family is. Life becomes extremely difficult as we see from Elise’s perspective. Show Less
LibraryThing member IreneCole
In this bittersweet work of historical fiction, Elise, now an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer's recalls the days she and her family were forced to relocate first into a camp and then later sent back to Germany during the final year of the war. The only thing that made her time in the camp
I received an advance copy for review.
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bearable was being reunited with her father, and the brief friendship she shared with another girl who was also forced to live in the camp. After the girls are separated they vow to one day reunite back in the states when they turn 18. Sadly they fell out of touch but Elise never forgot her friend. As both time and her memories are escaping from Elise, she travels alone in an attempt to reconnect with her long lost friend before it's too late.I received an advance copy for review.
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LibraryThing member JillHannah
Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher, for providing me this fantastic historical fiction novel!
I think we all learned a bit (or a lot) about internment camps during WWII from the book, HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. However, I was clueless that German (and Italian) families were also
This was another great book enlightening me about the camps, what it was like to live there during the war, and especially what it was like to live in Germany in the last year of WWII. The author did a fantastic job weaving the story of a young German teenager and young Japanese teenager forming a life-long friendship. How society, family, and the war tore them apart, but with determination, these women found their way back together.
It's a terrific story about WWII, the ability for humans to persevere, and the kindness of others to keep them working toward a better life.
I think we all learned a bit (or a lot) about internment camps during WWII from the book, HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. However, I was clueless that German (and Italian) families were also
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interned, to a lesser degree than Japanese families.This was another great book enlightening me about the camps, what it was like to live there during the war, and especially what it was like to live in Germany in the last year of WWII. The author did a fantastic job weaving the story of a young German teenager and young Japanese teenager forming a life-long friendship. How society, family, and the war tore them apart, but with determination, these women found their way back together.
It's a terrific story about WWII, the ability for humans to persevere, and the kindness of others to keep them working toward a better life.
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LibraryThing member janismack
Story of a german american teenagerwhose life changes forever when her immigrant family is sent to an internment camp during WWII.
Language
Original publication date
2019-03
Physical description
400 p.; 6.32 inches
Pages
400
ISBN
0451492153 / 9780451492159