The Woman in the White Kimono by Ana Johns – subject: former Libby book of the month
A book that was generally enjoyed by those who had read it, particularly strong on the emotional side and the cultural setting in Japan.
If anyone would like to write a sentence or two about the book, please email janet.bayliss@esneft.nhs.uk
There are two stories in this book: one set in Japan in the late 1950s and one in present day America. In Japan, 1957 a seventeen year old girl called Naoko falls in love with Hajime, an extremely unsuitable choice, whereas her family want her to marry Satoshi. Naoko becomes pregnant by Hajime, and the Japanese side of the story follows what happens after this. In America, many years later, the journalist Tori Kovac finds out some shocking things through a letter belonging to her dying father and starts to investigate after his death. Her researches take her to Japan and the secrets lying at the heart of this story.
There are many convenient co-incidences in the plot, but this book knits them together well to a satisfying ending. We liked the main characters, finding them involving and felt that the book packed a strong emotional punch. We also found the Japanese setting and cultural background fascinating, commenting on the importance of tradition and rules in Japanese culture and how this impacts on the characters in the novel.
This is essentially a love story but it has some other strong themes on the importance of family and how people who “cross boundaries” in terms of race or culture can suffer hardship, prejudice and be shunned by their own societies. Well worth a read on several different levels.
The autobiographical My name is why by Lemn Sissay was felt to have parallels in terms of experience with The woman in the white kimono and has been recommended before.
In terms of autobiographies, the recently published Friends, lovers and the big terrible thing by Matthew Perry was suggested as very interesting on his battles against alcoholism and opioid addiction.
A heart-warming young adult book The statistical probability of love at first sight by Jennifer E. Smith was enjoyed by a couple of the group.
There was a repeat recommendation of The seven sisters series of historical novels by Lucinda Riley; some other books that were suggested before being also mentioned. These included The running grave by Robert Galbraith, number 7 in the Cormoran Strike series and The last devil to die by Richard Osman, the fourth Thursday Murder Club book. This book takes the Thursday Murder Club story further, but also refers back to earlier books in the series. Another suggested interesting crime writer is Tess Gerritsen, author of many medical thrillers including The surgeon.
On the non-fiction side, Barbra Streisand’s autobiography My name is Barbra received a mention: it is huge at 992 pages, but then she has led an extraordinary life. Also recommended was The earth transformed by Peter Frankopan, about how our environment shapes human civilisation.
Several of the above may be on Libby. Head over to our Libby page to find out more.