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Bridge of Scarlet Leaves

Kristina McMorris (Goodreads Author)

3.94 · Rating details · 2,970 ratings · 460 reviews

From the bestselling author of Letters from Home comes a poignant novel of love and courage, set against one of the most controversial episodes in American history: the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern's life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo.

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Paperback, 420 pages

Published February 28th 2012 by Kensington Publishing (first published January 1st 2012)

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Oct 28, 2011 Kristina McMorris added it · (Review from the author)

I'm so excited to share this book with all of you! As the daughter of a Japanese immigrant father and Caucasian American mother, I was raised living between cultures, not until later in life understanding where I fit in.

It is this search for identity that I infused into a love story complicated by WWII, a tragic time when friends were labeled enemies overnight. I hope you enjoy following the characters' journeys as much as I did exploring them!

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May 08, 2018 Stephanie Anze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Maddie Kern is a talented violinist with her sights set on Julliard and with a bright future ahead of her Tj (Maddie's older brother) is extremely protective. Depending solely on themselves, as both their parents were affected by an accident, this brother and sister are close. However, there is something Maddie is hiding from TJ. She has been secretly seeing Lane Moritomo, TJ's best friend. Of Japanese ancestry, Lane's relationship with Maddie is complicated by the growing resentment towards the Maddie Kern is a talented violinist with her sights set on Julliard and with a bright future ahead of her Tj (Maddie's older brother) is extremely protective. Depending solely on themselves, as both their parents were affected by an accident, this brother and sister are close. However, there is something Maddie is hiding from TJ. She has been secretly seeing Lane Moritomo, TJ's best friend. Of Japanese ancestry, Lane's relationship with Maddie is complicated by the growing resentment towards the Japanese due to the war. Still Maddie and Lane decide to elope but their marital bliss is cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor. As allegiances are put to the test, Maddie and Lane are in for one tough journey.

Some time back, I read 'The Edge of Lost' and enjoyed McMorris' style. For that reason I put 'Bridge of Scarlet Leaves' on my TBR and seeing as it has been there for a while, I picked it now. Maddie is a talented violinist. Julliard is her future or at least it was until she fell in love with Lane. Knowing that their families would not understand, they decide to elope anyways. Their wedded bliss, however, is punctuated by the attack on Pearl Harbor. What was a tense situation turns into a harsher one now that Maddie is married to the "enemy". As Lane and his family lose everything and are forced to relocate to an interment camp, Maddie must decide whether to follow her heart even if that brings into question her allegiance. This work is beautiful and moving. While it was a bit of a weak start, I love the way McMorris links all the storylines. Narrated by Maddie, TJ and Lane this work explores a dark side to US history. Dealing with loyalty, family, race and discrimination, this work takes the reader into the Japanese interment camps and unto the battlefield itself. The last part of the book nearly made me shed tears.

While there was a great deal of support for the interment of people with Japanes ancestry at the time, it sure became quite a lamentable historical event. President Frankln D. Roosevelt signed into law Order 9066 which gave the military power to forcibly relocate any and all persons of Japanese ancestry. It did not matter that a great number of this group were in fact US citizens, born in the US. It took as little as being 1/16 part Japanese to be placed in a interment camp. The government justified this action as a means of protecting the US against spies. In truth, this was an act based on war hysteria and plain old-fashioned racism. The interment camps were ruled unconstitutional by Ronald Reagan during his presidency. Survivors and heirs were entilted to receive monetary reparations. About 1.6 billion dollars were awarded and while that was necessary and overdue, the scars that remain can not be forgotten. Especially given current events that continue to discrimate on people based solely on ther race.

I have since learned that McMorris has a book to be released soon and I am looking forward for it. ...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: traveling-book

Wow, where do I start? This book was wonderful! It tells a tale of two people who come from different races and fall in love. After they elope, something horrible happens. The bombing of Pearl Harbor and both of their lives are never the same. Bridge of Scarlet Leaves hooked me from page one and never let me go! This book made me laugh, giggle and cry. I loved Kristina's first book, Letters From Home, but, dare I say, I LOVED this one more. It tugs at your heart strings and never lets go. I thin ...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Erika Robuck rated it it was amazing

In November of 1941, in Los Angeles, California, violinist Maggie Kern is hiding something from her brother, TJ. She is in love with his best friend, Lane, who happens to be Japanese. TJ has always been protective of his little sister, especially since an accident that took their mother’s life and their father’s mental health, and he wouldn’t approve of the relationship.

In order to force their families to accept their love for each other, Maggie and Lane elope, but their days of wedded bliss are ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Britany rated it really liked it

WWII, Japanese internment, music, and love.

Maddie Kern has it all at the beginning of this novel, a best friend, a great job, and her future at Juilliard secured for her by a benefactress for violin. She also has Lane, her brother's best friend, who she has fallen in love with. Her brother, TJ, comes back from USC, and finds out about their hidden affair, and then Pearl Harbor happens...

Before Maddie knows what to do, her life is torn away from her and her family. Lane and his family get shipped ...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Dee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, read-2011

**Review Copy Provided By Author**

I have to admit that I finished this book up over the weekend, but it took me a couple of days to write the review because I wanted to think though some of my feelings. After Letters From Home, I wasn't sure if Kristina could follow up with an equally powerful second book, so I was surprised when Bridge of Scarlet Leaves not only equalled by exceeded Letters from Home.

In a similar fashion to the writing style in Letters from Home, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves tells ...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Maureen rated it it was ok

I should have stopped early on when I first laughed at the cheesy descriptions of affection between the two main characters. I knew then that the book was probably not going to be that appealing, but it was an easy enough read so I continued on. I realize I'm one of the few here to dislike the book and am truly surprised so many give it five stars, but I reserve five stars for truly incredible books, and this falls way short. For one, the characters as well as the relationships between them are ...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Diane S ☔ rated it really liked it

This author has the uncanny knack of writing stories that are very easy to read and combine the elements of history and a romance with a profound sense of the era. The Japanese and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the mistrust and the prejudice that came from it are all brilliantly related here. The characters of Maddie and Lane are wonderful. This author puts one solidly back in this time period with a depth of feeling and emotion that is impressive. Anyone who liked her last book, Letters from Hom ...more

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Dec 07, 2011 Janelle rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: those who liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Shelves: favorites, 2012

Fantastic! I love a book that can teach me something about history while maintaining an incredible story line.

The setting in the beginning of the book takes place in California just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor which then of course was the start of WWII. The story revolves around three main characters, Maddie Kern, her brother TJ Kern and TJ's best friend Lane Moritomo who is the son of Japanese immigrants.

Lane and Maddie fall in love but hide it from TJ. Due to Lane's Japanese heritage hi Fantastic! I love a book that can teach me something about history while maintaining an incredible story line.

The setting in the beginning of the book takes place in California just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor which then of course was the start of WWII. The story revolves around three main characters, Maddie Kern, her brother TJ Kern and TJ's best friend Lane Moritomo who is the son of Japanese immigrants.

Lane and Maddie fall in love but hide it from TJ. Due to Lane's Japanese heritage his parents plan to bring a bride from Japan to California for him to marry. Lane doesn't agree with all that goes along with his parent's customs so he refuses and convinces Maddie to elope with him. Nobody knows of their arrangement because interracial marriage is not only frowned upon pre-WWII, it's illegal in 30 states.

As they are having their quick weekend honeymoon in Seattle, Pearl Harbor is attacked. Lane quickly realizes whites are blaming him for Japan's bombing the United States. Maddie and Lane make haste back to California where TJ discovers what they did and demands they divorce.

When Lane returns home he finds the FBI in his house arresting his father simply because he works at a bank in California that is owned by the Japanese. Lane, his mother and sister are forced to one of the many internment camps made for those with as little as 1/16 Japanese heritage. Lane files for divorce simply to save Maddie from the embarrassment and criticism he's sure she'll suffer for being married to a Japanese man.

Maddie refuses to sign the papers and tracks Lane down to his internment camp and resides with him and his family. TJ on the other hand, he's had enough, between his sister marrying his best friend and the anger he feels for that betrayal, he joins the Army and is shipped off to the Pacific.

Lane is embarrassed of his and his families conditions, anger at the country which he loves so much, angry that Maddie is willing to sacrifice so much for him, it hurts his pride. He too joins the military for intelligence, to put his language to good use for his country. To prove himself...to find himself.

The book continues on as Maddie, Lane’s mother and sister move on to another location. Lane is also shipped to the Pacific. What effect will the war have on these three characters? Read to find out! Amazing, wonderful book.

This book is easily five stars for me. As I mentioned, a book that teaches me so much with such a fantastic story is a winner. The book was well researched and the fact that the author is the daughter of a white American mother and Japanese immigrant father gives her a lot of credit too. I have not read her other book Letters From Home, but look forward to doing so. If you liked, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I can nearly guarantee that you will like this book too.
...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Vaughn Roycroft rated it it was amazing

Characters Worth Caring About:

It would’ve been easy for any author to lose sight of the importance of characters when dealing with a setting so monumental as World War II, and plot elements such as interracial relationships and the internment of Japanese-Americans during the war. These are topics that would’ve consumed the focus of many a fine writer. The temptation would be to use a broad brush, to put the readers’ wide-lens focus on the issues, and the result would often be to have wooden cha Characters Worth Caring About:

It would’ve been easy for any author to lose sight of the importance of characters when dealing with a setting so monumental as World War II, and plot elements such as interracial relationships and the internment of Japanese-Americans during the war. These are topics that would’ve consumed the focus of many a fine writer. The temptation would be to use a broad brush, to put the readers’ wide-lens focus on the issues, and the result would often be to have wooden characters enacting formulaic plotting to demonstrate the horrors/injustices/tragedy of war and its repercussions.

I’m happy to report that Kristina McMorris, in Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, her sophomore effort as a novelist, showed herself better than many a fine writer. McMorris has a deft touch when it comes to WWII, and the depth of her research and her compassion for the topic show through in her every description of the home front, war zones, and even intense combat action sequences. She knows her stuff, and it shows. But in Bridge her historical acumen serves as shading and nuance for what is genuinely human story, played out by well-developed characters.

At its core, Bridge is a love story. It’s the story of Maddie—a young Caucasian woman—and Lane—the son of immigrant Japanese-Americans—and what they are willing to sacrifice, not only for their love for one another, but for their love of their families, their country, and for honor. McMorris not only provides a tight focus on her believable characters, she makes Lane’s and Maddie’s love for one another believable by giving each of them depth of experience—their own set of skills, achievement, strengths and weaknesses.

All too often in stories we are asked to believe in a deep romantic attraction and its resulting bond without any reason given for us to do so. Often the love interest has few or no qualities we can imagine would warrant the main character’s interest or longing. When obstacles to romance occur, often they are based on flimsy misunderstandings, or one character’s sudden bout of shallowness or newly obtuse viewpoint.

None of this occurs with Lane and Maddie. Each of them is capable. Each of them shows remarkable resilience, loyalty, and dedication—not only to one another, but to big picture issues, like family and community. We come to know and respect each of them, and therefore not only applaud their love but root for it. We can see for ourselves why they would love each other so, and why they would sacrifice as they each do throughout the tale.

Without the believability of Lane’s and Maddie’s essential relationship, as well as the conflicts and story elements inspired by it and surrounding it, the story becomes nothing more than the recitation of a sequence of historical events. McMorris has enlightened our understanding of a monumental and turbulent period of our history with this engaging and moving tale.
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Jan 31, 2012 Ns rated it really liked it

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is a story with a wonderful blend of love, loss, forgiveness and self-realization. It became much more than a war love story. The bombing of Pearl Harbor signalled the beginning of a war that would have a significant effect on the relationship of Maddie Kern, an American and Lane Moritomo, a Japanese-American. Their struggles are not just against their society, their country but from within as well. Family, tradition and race are barriers that they will have to face.

The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves is a story with a wonderful blend of love, loss, forgiveness and self-realization. It became much more than a war love story. The bombing of Pearl Harbor signalled the beginning of a war that would have a significant effect on the relationship of Maddie Kern, an American and Lane Moritomo, a Japanese-American. Their struggles are not just against their society, their country but from within as well. Family, tradition and race are barriers that they will have to face.

The best thing about this story was seeing the characters transform and some of the most drastic changes occurred in Kumiko, Lane's mother. She really came to life as the sorrows she carried were slowly expressed and revealed, first in her paintings and then into words. Her relationship with Maddie became a warm and close one. Maddie was a constant presence throughout the story and she represented a connection between American and Japanese, accepting both worlds. In her own way she displayed bravery and a quiet strength.

Initially I didn't believe in Lane and Maddie's love but as the story progressed I could see their love developing. Her actions spoke for themselves and most telling is when she moves to be with Lane at the relocation camp. I appreciated the insight of life entrapped in a camp from the perspective of an American woman.

The characters really grew on me as the story progressed and even though their journeys were parallel to one another, they were still different which kept my interest. Sometimes I found the short chapters -events to be abrupt and wanted them to follow through more where I could get a deeper grasp of them. Family and honor were themes that came up quite a bit and played a big factor in Lane's journey of self-realization. For Lane, the war was his chance to prove himself; his worth to himself and his patriotism to a country that viewed his ancestry as the enemy. Maddie's love helped him in so many ways and this always led him back to her. T.J.'s journey was one of acceptance and forgiveness. Maddie is all the family he has and his protectiveness shows. He has to learn that moving on and finding peace means being able to let go of the past. Whereas music is what connects Maddie to her reality, it is baseball that does this for T.J. It brought normalcy and for T.J. it gave him purpose during a time of hopelessness.

The characters are all resilient spirits and their journeys were at times heartbreaking, inspiring and triumphant. When the story ended I was thinking that with their personal revelations many of the characters' stories were just beginning. The message I took to heart in this story was that love is universal and love can heal.

I was the lucky recipient of an ARC copy provided for my honest thoughts. ...more

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Feb 02, 2016 Kelsey rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, history, fiction, ya-teenager, wwii-fiction

I had never read anything by Kristina McMorris before, so when I saw this book at my local Dollar Store and decided to buy it strictly because it was set during WWII, I had no expectations. After finishing the book, and crying my eyes out, I can say now that McMorris is a true talent. Though Bridge over Scarlet Leaves isn't a literary classic, I believe it should be, because McMorris was able to craft a story told time and again, but make it new, refreshing, happy, and heartbreaking. I went in r ...more

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Feb 17, 2020 Christine Mott rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Bridge of Scarlett Leaves
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This novel is beautifully written and gives a unique view of a pair of young men, who consider themselves as brothers.
👨
When Pearl Harbor is hit and war is declared they both soon discover the world around them sees things very differently. One young man TJ, is Caucasian and his best friend Lane is Japanese-American. Lane is also in a secret relationship with TJ’s sister Maddie.
👨
During the war even though they are on the same side they are treated differently ...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Sen rated it it was amazing

❖/June 22, 2012:

I-i-iii I'm in a glass case of emotion!

SIMPLY MESMERIZING.

Let's scratch the synopsis part. Please just look up the synopsis yourself before reading this review. *WARNING: YOU HAVE ENTERED THE ZONE OF A 14-YEAR-OLD FANGIRLING*

Ahhhhh~so the blurb says "Lane risks everything to prove his allegiance to America, at tremendous cost"....well, that TREMENDOUS COST is definitely a tremendous one (not going to spoiler).

Before I began reading Bridge of Scarlet Leaves , I didn't expect i ...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Tara Chevrestt rated it really liked it

Shelves: world-war-2, historical-fiction, 2012-release, pbs

I found this story well-written and surprisingly, unpredictable. I was surprised because it was nothing like the many Japanese-internment-during-WWII stories I've read thus far and I've read quite a few. I feared it would be a regurgitated tale that I'd already read, but first of all, the combination of a Japanese man with a Caucasian woman was unique, as was the story of the heroine learning her husband's culture, the sideline of her brother dealing with his hatred issues, and the shocking twis I found this story well-written and surprisingly, unpredictable. I was surprised because it was nothing like the many Japanese-internment-during-WWII stories I've read thus far and I've read quite a few. I feared it would be a regurgitated tale that I'd already read, but first of all, the combination of a Japanese man with a Caucasian woman was unique, as was the story of the heroine learning her husband's culture, the sideline of her brother dealing with his hatred issues, and the shocking twist about her husband in the end... Perhaps individually, the stories may not be considered unique, but combined in this book, they are.

Never a dull moment.

I had some trouble with the heroine, Maddie, at times. I felt like she was a woman way too eager to throw everything away for a man, though part of me also realized times were strife and options were few when this book starts, right before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. People acted rashly during this time, aware they didn't have long to follow their hearts and fulfill their desires. BUT I must confess I didn't feel she loved her husband as much as she continued to claim. Her reluctance to wear her wedding band, her fears of having a "half-breed" child kinda made me feel conflicted about her.

Is it brave or stupid that she gives up Julliard to follow her husband into a camp? If I felt it was really true love, I'd think it brave.

Lane...Lane is the bravest of all the characters. Lane is her husband and he risks and does so much for his family's honor, for his reputation, to gain his country's trust, to save Maddie's brother--a man I didn't feel warranted saving. I enjoyed his bits and this surprised me as I don't normally care for male characters as much.

I had some trouble with the brother. He's rough and unlikable and joins the service for less-than-stellar reasons. But his story is important. It shows what carrying around hatred and bitterness for a long time can do to a person. Through his eyes we see the brutalities committed against American POWs. And it's nice to watch him change as a person. Everything happens for a reason, hm...

So much to learn about in this novel: the treatment of Japanese on the west coast, internment camp life, POW life, how it was for a Japanese man in the American army, some Japanese customs and ways...

Despite the fact I didn't like the brother or even the heroine at times, I was very engrossed in this story and walk away from it more enlightened than I was before.

Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/... ...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, received-for-review, historical-fiction, received-in-2011, world-war-ii, read-in-2012

From my blog.

Maddie Kern is a budding violinist with dreams of attending Julliard. Her brother, TJ, has his own dreams of playing baseball. At the opening of the novel, they are both still reeling from the loss of their mother in a car accident and the subsequent catatonic state of their father. TJ is very angry at his father as he feels he is to blame for the accident; however, Maddie continues to visit her dad in the nursing home, playing the violin for him with little to no reaction.

When she From my blog.

Maddie Kern is a budding violinist with dreams of attending Julliard. Her brother, TJ, has his own dreams of playing baseball. At the opening of the novel, they are both still reeling from the loss of their mother in a car accident and the subsequent catatonic state of their father. TJ is very angry at his father as he feels he is to blame for the accident; however, Maddie continues to visit her dad in the nursing home, playing the violin for him with little to no reaction.

When she secretly marries her brother's best friend, Lane, the son of Japanese immigrants, life is changed forever. The morning after their wedding ceremony, Maddie and Lane wake to the news that Pearl Harbor has been bombed - and everyone of Japanese descent, including Lane and his family are now suspect. Forced to move into an internment camp, Lane, his mother, and his sister leave the American life they have grown accustomed to and begin a new life full of suspicion, fear, anger, and hate directed at them.

Maddie chooses to follow her husband, joining him and his family inside the camp. Maddie struggles to connect with her mother-in-law as Lane tries to cope with being ostracized from the country he was born into. He ends up joining the Army on the American side, willing to do anything to prove his allegiance to his country. TJ also steps up and joins the military, willing to risk his own life to serve and protect his country.

No words I can write could do adequate justice to the work of literary gold within the pages of Bridge of Scarlet Leaves. This book captivated me from page one and did not let go until the final word, some 400 pages later. McMorris exquisitely captures the raw emotions - the angst, the pain, and the love - of each character in such a way that truly mesmerized me. The story is told from multiple viewpoints (Maddie, TJ, Lane), but the story never gets confusing or jumbled. The reader can feel each of the emotions that the characters are feeling, the sorrow and the joy, during their journeys. I was transported into another time and place and became so immersed with these characters that I did not want to leave them! I recommend this book without any reservation. McMorris is phenomenal - don't miss her first book, Letters from Home! ...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it it was amazing

As she did with Letters From Home, Kristina McMorris has once again written a story of passion, trials, friendship, family and beauty that will stay with the reader for a very long time to come.

Maddie Kern is a good girl. This nineteen-year-old has been through a lot of stress, losing her mother and having her father holed up in an institution because he simply refuses to speak to anyone - wrapped up in a past that he simply can’t escape from. Maddie’s biggest goal in life is to play her violin As she did with Letters From Home, Kristina McMorris has once again written a story of passion, trials, friendship, family and beauty that will stay with the reader for a very long time to come.

Maddie Kern is a good girl. This nineteen-year-old has been through a lot of stress, losing her mother and having her father holed up in an institution because he simply refuses to speak to anyone - wrapped up in a past that he simply can’t escape from. Maddie’s biggest goal in life is to play her violin at the Julliard School, which she has auditioned for already, but this time she has her best chance of getting accepted.

Maddie is taken care of by her older brother, T.J., who is even more strict than her father was. T.J. loves tow things - baseball and his sister - and wants to protect Maddie from the world. But what he doesn’t know is his best friend that he calls Tomo has secretly been dating Maddie for months, and when T.J. finds out about it, he is more than unhappy.

Tomo’s real name is Lane and he comes from a very wealthy Japanese family. His father is huge in the banking industry, and he is also very into the ‘old ways.’ He tells his son that the ‘matchmaker’ back in their native land has found a wife for him and she will be coming over very soon to meet her future husband. Lane has no idea how to tell his family that he has chosen Maddie for life and has no interest in a Japanese bride. Of course, before the families have much to say, Pearl Harbor is attacked, and more than one War begins.

Readers will run through life with Maddie and Lane as they try their very best to survive the bigotry and hatred that has cropped up in America against the Japanese, not to mention Maddie’s brother who has gone overseas to fight the enemy that was once his friend. Each and every page is breathtaking. Watching Maddie and Lane try to fight against all odds, while witnessing T.J. as he struggles to give up his childhood dream and finds himself in a prison that he may just never get out of unless his ‘friend turned enemy’ can save him, makes for a stunning plot.

The story is filled with laughter, tears and sheer beauty. All I can say is Kristina McMorris has once again written the ultimate epic that will appeal to readers of adventure, romance, drama, suspense and history. A true masterpiece!

Until Next Time,
Amy

...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Staci rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012-reads

First thoughts after finishing: The author broke my heart.....

I am always grateful to authors when something they crafted with love touches me on such a deeply emotional level. This book pulled me in from the first chapter and I couldn't bear parting with the characters when the story ended. I have to say that I found this story thought provoking, often stopping to tell my husband what was occurring because I would get so upset over some of the actions of Americans toward Japanese Americans. I c First thoughts after finishing: The author broke my heart.....

I am always grateful to authors when something they crafted with love touches me on such a deeply emotional level. This book pulled me in from the first chapter and I couldn't bear parting with the characters when the story ended. I have to say that I found this story thought provoking, often stopping to tell my husband what was occurring because I would get so upset over some of the actions of Americans toward Japanese Americans. I couldn't imagine operating under the sheer terror and panic of Pearl Harbor and have that event color my perception of my Japanese neighbors, friends, and ones that I would call family. Kristina wrote a story that needs to be talked about and remembered. I wasn't aware of some of the laws preventing those of Asian descent home ownership. I love it when I learn and acquire new information about a time period where most of the attention is drawn to Germany and the Holocaust.

Her story came alive and these people were real to me. I cherished the love story between Maddie and Lane. They had my heart from the very beginning. Could you imagine having people stop and stare at you just because you were holding hands with someone of a different race? This story shows that love knows no race, skin color, or facial features.

Recommend? Without hesitation! I think this would make for a wonderful book club selection too. I read the discussion questions in the back and really feel that there is so much to talk about and share with this beautiful book. Lane and Maddie's love story had me reminiscing about the time I spent in Japan as an exchange student. I felt blessed to have grown up when I did because I found love there during my stay. We didn't have to worry about holding hands in Niigata, where I was an exchange student. No one really paid us much attention and honestly, I never once thought of him as being any different from me. I just fell in love with him and his gentle ways. We were the lucky ones who benefited from those who braved the prejudice, shame, war relocation camps, and showed the rest of the world that we are all human and we all love.

Make sure that you listen to Bach's Second Partitia, The Chaconne. It added so much to the last twenty pages of my reading experience. Trust me on this! ...more

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Oct 28, 2011 Laura Kay Bolin rated it it was amazing

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...

After suffering the loss of her mother, Maddie Kern is about to audition for Julliard. Her future is full of music and promise. She lives in California with her older and very protective brother TJ who is now watching over her, while their dad is unable to face the reality of his wife's death. Maddie is secretly in love with Lane Moritomo, TJ’s best friend and is planning on keeping it all hush hush until the right time.

What could be wrong with that? They http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...

After suffering the loss of her mother, Maddie Kern is about to audition for Julliard. Her future is full of music and promise. She lives in California with her older and very protective brother TJ who is now watching over her, while their dad is unable to face the reality of his wife's death. Maddie is secretly in love with Lane Moritomo, TJ’s best friend and is planning on keeping it all hush hush until the right time.

What could be wrong with that? They are young, in love and have their whole lives ahead of them. When Lane’s parents unexpectedly tell him a Japanese matchmaker has found him a match and he will marry in the next few months. With news of an impending marriage the couple runs off and elope. When they wake up the next morning, not only has their world chanced but the world around them has changed with the news Perl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. Lane, his family and other Japanese immigrants all over the country are suddenly looked at as the enemy.

TJ angry at his best friend and mad at his sister joins the war effort and enlists. Lane’s family loses everything and heads off to a relocation camp, after realizing they can't survive. Lane determined to do right by Maddie leaves her behind. But now Maddie is viewed as a traitor by those around her and she no longer seems to fit anywhere.

Bridge of Scarlet Leaves follows Maddie, TJ and Lane through WWII. Maddie goes off with Lane’s family where his mother is less than enthusiastic to have her around. TJ and Lane both become soldiers. I would say this is the most moving novel I have ever had the pleasure to read. I immediately loved Lane, he was so sweet and thoughtful. The whole world was placed on his shoulders. He went through the entire novel always with purpose and thoughtfulness of those around him, a true hero. Maddie and the rest of the characters grew with each passing page, until I loved each and every one of them and their stories. Bridges of Scarlet Leaves had me reaching for my box of Kleenex more than once. A war/love story like none I’ve read before. It’s filled with tradition, honor, triumph and tragedies. I strongly strongly recommend Bridges of Scarlet Leaves. ...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Tatiana rated it really liked it

Shelves: wwii

Fans of Kristina McMorris' debut, Letters From Home, will not be disappointed with her new novel. Bridge of Scarlet Leaves casts that same vintage spell, whirling you back to a moment in history so full and vivid it is hard to believe it was over a lifetime ago. The infusion of Japanese heritage only adds to the authenticity of the story. Hard to put down and easy to pick up again, this novel is one to remember.

More than chronicling three small-town lives, that of Maddie Kern, her brother, TJ, ...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Betsy rated it did not like it

Shelves: chick-lit, romance, 2013, abandoned, historical-fiction, war, asian

I tried so hard to get into this novel, but it was so cheesy. I pushed myself to get through the first 50 pages (in which I would finally give up after the 50 Page Rule).

The writing read like a young adult novel in that it was so basic and corny, not to mention it went into so much detail over nothing scenes. The high school relationship failed, the angry brother, the love-struck sister with the mischievousness best friend, and the loner Japanese friend brought nothing to the table for me.

I wo ...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Therese Walsh rated it it was amazing

This book is a true journey -- back to the WWII era and into the lives of a racially mixed couple (Japanese male, white female) and their families before and after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Kristina McMorris is truly gifted at creating a sense of place and culture, down to the smallest -- which are sometimes the most significant -- details. Characters are believable, and I came to truly care for them as they grew despite adversity. This story will stay with you, and seems perfect for book clu ...more

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Apr 13, 2012 Suze rated it really liked it

I loved this book! The storyline was familiar, about Japanese Americans interned during WWII and the abuse they were subjected to. However, the characters in this book were so likeable, it presented the topic in a new light.

I also really enjoyed the author's style of writing. She made me care about the characters quickly, and I found myself late at night reading 'just one more chapter'. At one point, I was talking to the characters, telling them 'no, don't say that, you dope!', etc. I know.....w ...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Mandy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction

My only disappointment is that I've read the only two books she has out! So sad there aren't anymore for me to read right now! She's brilliant, she's researched this time period and her love of this romantic time period shines through in the details. Details that don't once become boring. I didn't ever skip through any of the book. Love this Author!

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Jan 25, 2013 Donna added it

I really enjoyed this book. I was not that familiar with what happened to Japanese Americans during WW11, so the plot of the story did educate me. The main character, Maddie, was very real-life to me, & she was determined & brave, traits I admire in a young woman. A good read. ...more

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Mar 19, 2020 Betsy rated it liked it · review of another edition

A different angle regarding WWII. Unfortunately, it leans heavier on the love story part and that was disappointing as I had hoped to learn more about the internment camps for the Japanese during the war. The characters and plot starts out being a bit cheesy but did get better. The two main characters are an American girl and her brother’s best friend, a Japanese that fall in love. They get engaged but keep it a secret until they feel it is the right time to tell her overly protective brother. B ...more

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Sep 03, 2012 momruncraft rated it liked it

Shelves: 2012-reads

The exploration of interracial relationships during the height of wartime chaos sparked my interest. After reading the book's synopsis, I quickly dove in. Having loved Letters From Home, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, something just didn't connect for me...

Maddie Kern and Lane Moritomo had succeeded in hiding their budding relationship from Maddie's older brother, TJ. However, Lane no longer wanted to hide their love. Maddie was not yet ready to explain their situation to her br The exploration of interracial relationships during the height of wartime chaos sparked my interest. After reading the book's synopsis, I quickly dove in. Having loved Letters From Home, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, something just didn't connect for me...

Maddie Kern and Lane Moritomo had succeeded in hiding their budding relationship from Maddie's older brother, TJ. However, Lane no longer wanted to hide their love. Maddie was not yet ready to explain their situation to her brother who had assumed a fatherly role following their parent's tragic accident. Hopelessly in love and destined to be together, Lane and Maddie take matters into their own hands and elope. Enveloped in the thrill of their little secret and overcome with love, they celebrate their new marriage in their own little world. A world that is quickly shattered as they awake the next morning to news that Pearl Harbor has been bombed.

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese American relationships become strained: one's nationality no longer matters. Instead, ethnicity and skin color quickly divide those who were once close friends. All Japanese Americans are immediately considered suspect.

As Lane's family is torn apart, Maddie struggles to decide whether she should pursue her Juilliard dreams or stand by her husband as he is interned in a Japanese interment camp.

Love, war, tragedy, the courage of two intensely strong women...a little bit of everything. I feel as though there were tangents discussed in great detail that detracted from the overall poignancy of this novel. Perhaps too verbose in some areas, particularly TJ's college baseball experience, and not detailed enough in others: the aftermath of war and how life is resumed following the intense fractionalization of Japanese American relationships.

Many of the words in this book could have been my family's own story. My grandmother was interned in Manzanar and my parents faced scrutiny for their Japanese American interracial relationship. It is hard to imagine the sacrifices and fear faced by families like the Moritomo's. One day, a mere family next door, the next, a potential war enemy. In the blink of an eye...

Disappointing read, poignant plot idea. ...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Gina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club, historical-fiction, 5-00-rating, history, family, 2012-book-releases, race-relations, ww2, love-falling-in-love, challenges-2012

Goodreads Description- Los Angeles, 1941. Violinist Maddie Kern's life seemed destined to unfold with the predictable elegance of a Bach concerto. Then she fell in love with Lane Moritomo. Her brother's best friend, Lane is the handsome, ambitious son of Japanese immigrants. Maddie was prepared for disapproval from their families, but when Pearl Harbor is bombed the day after she and Lane elope, the full force of their decision becomes apparent. In the eyes of a fearful nation, Lane is no longer ...more

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Oct 24, 2014 Agatha rated it it was ok

Please skip this book. Or, just read the afterword, with all of the great book suggestions she used as resources, and please read these primary sources instead. I’m not sure why she felt the need to try to reinvent the wheel and write a secondary (tertiary? etc.) account of these things.

Also, I think she bit off more than she could chew: instead of trying to handle “Japanese-American experiences during WWII,” “situations of brothers fighting against each other on both sides during WWII,” “POW ...more

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Jul 07, 2015 Katelyn rated it it was ok

Shelves: wwii-historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If I could give this 2.5 stars I would.

I don't know where to start other than to just say that I finished this very disappointed. I went in excited to read this book and was just let down by the time it ended.

The plot was very interesting but at times it felt like there was too much going on connected to the main character. I mean just one character going through the death of her mother and her father's state very early in the book, then her brother going to war followed by her husband, her bro ...more

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About Kristina McMorris

Kristina McMorris

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KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen literary awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA’s RITA® Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. Inspired by true personal and historical accounts, her works of fiction have been published by Penguin Random House, HarperCollins ...more