shortlisted for Book of the Month
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Fictional Saga
WWII 195os - 1940s
Malaysia
Sequel to Pearl of Penanag
Mary Helston is a young woman
when World War II overspills into Singapore and the women and children are
forced to evacuate. As we hear of the recent death of her fiance – a pilot shot
down by the Japanese – we also learn that Mary's first fiance had committed
suicide following an affair with Veronica Langton, one of the circle of
sophisticated ladies that comprise Society in Singapore.
Mary and her mother are part
of a crowded ship that is to take them to safety, but it is attacked by the
Japanese navy and the captain surrenders. From there, the women are taken to a
makeshift camp and their nightmares begin.
The book is divided into two
parts. The first of these comprises Mary's memoirs written after the war and is
in the past tense. It tells of the conditions, sufferings, diseases,
maltreatment, torture and, sadly, death amongst the prisoners. It is not
written in graphic detail, but it doesn't need to be for the author puts over
all these inhumanities with such a skilful pen that we don't have to imagine
how horrific it must have been for the real women who endured those terrible
times.
I would have liked to see a little more dialogue as Ms Flynn handles those
very well, especially a particularly poignant scene between Mary and
Veronica – bitter enemies but each earning the respect of the other. However, I
can see that as a purported memoir 'Tell' rather than 'Show' is probably more
appropriate.
Part Two is written in the
present tense as Mary, back in Singapore after the war's end, struggles with
her life, her memories and a future that she views as pointless. But a chance
meeting changes all that which, without wishing to get into the realm of
spoilers, the reader will find very emotional.
If you remember and watched
the TV series Tenko, then you will thoroughly enjoy this novel as I did
© Richard Tearle
e-version reviewed
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