Music on the Bamboo Radio

by Martin Booth

Nicholas Highgate, separated from his parents during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, is smuggled to the mainland by his Chinese nurse and disguised as a Chinese boy. As he grows to manhood, he witnesses the atrocities and deprivations of the Japanese occupation and is himself drawn into the Communist resistance activities. The book ends when the Japanese surrender and Nicholas is reunited with what remains of his family.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Asia

134 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Martin Booth was a prolific English novelist and poet. He also worked as a teacher and screenwriter, and was the founder of the Sceptre Press.

Reviews

[Shona Mihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to see how Nicholas went from being an ordonary english boy to a chinese boy

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good. I liked it because the author gave a great description of how war was like then. This book gave great depth of detail and accompanied me for my essay. Even though, some parts are boring, there were a lot of metaphors and symbolism. When Tang gets slapped, his face turns but his body doesn't fully move. This shows that he strong and confident and also quick witted. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Kevin L · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was drawing me in making me want to read more.

[Max Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cool. I like war. Go Japs.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very mediocre book. Twisted logic, bad grammar. Strictly for people with little to no knowledge of English. I do NOT RECOMMEND to anyone.

[Ryan Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite good to introduce the British-Japanese war through the eyes of a young boy.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This YA novel tells the story about survival and resistance, humility and courage, good manners and daring. When the Japanese invades Hong Kong on Christmas Day, 1941, eleven-year-old British Nicholas Holford must flee in the care of three trusted Chinese servants not knowing if his parents are alive or dead. Nicholas must become wise and brave beyond his years as he is faced with survival. Can he avoid actions that would endanger his protectors? Thwart the enemy’s
plans? Bring comfort to Allied POWs?

[Darius Chau · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this book is absolutely excellent. It is mainly about a boy's life when the Japanese Empire invaded Hong Kong on the Christmas of 1941. It's really worth reading and quite interesting. It has its fair-share of breathtaking moments, and you should really give it a shot.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Yeri Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very hard to get, because it wasn't published any more.I had to read it in an e-book, and this was the first e-book I've ever read. This book is about a boy around my age called Nicholas, He is an England who is living in hong kong,and related to chinese sevants who used to work for his parents. When he was apart from his parent, he had to leave his house with the servants. He believes them and decides to follow them before he get to meet with his families again. He changes his look in to a chinese, and get to stay in their home. He started to do some chores like getting ocean waters and fishing, he did them well. He was setteling well in the new enviornment, and he was polite.
He cared about Tang(One of the servants who saved his life) when he caught a malaria, and acted brave to get that medicine for him to stay alive.
Like episodes being in the Chinese family's ancestor's grave, he could learn about other cultures.
He was smart enought to give generals help by reading english manual of the explosion's bow and explain it all to them. Also, Nicholas joined to help them in the war.
After the war endes, he gets to go back to hi home. And sadly, almost everything were totally distroyed. He met his mother at the end, and did not notice that she was his mother because 4 years had passed, but at last reconises her.
Maybe it was because I read many other books in the time of the world war, I could understand the background well,and feel nicholas's feelings.
I thought I'm such a lucky girl, to live in a lovely centery and with my wonderful fantastic family members who loves me.
I am going to kiss my parents and my sister on the cheek today, telling them I love them always.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

When i read this book, it was pretty hard for me. But i like this story especially the main character "Nicholas or Wing Ming." ths main character, Nicholas had lost his parents during World War II. This story contained a lot of emotion. It's sad, sick, quite scary and poor. When Nicholas seperated with his parents, he left with his parents' chinese servant. After that time, he decided to become a chinese person. So he did everything that he can do. He was a brave man. He get a medicine for his servant Tang when he caught a disease.
Despite of losing parents, he is very brave and confident. And he helped a lot of people too. I want to follow his character. At the first, I cannot understand this story because i was not close with World War story. But last of story, I was intersted of this book.

End of this story, he met his mother but he didn't notice that woman was his mom. The reason why is it was already 4 years passed, but he recognized her soon.

From the perspective of Nicholas, maybe he was very sad and seems to be sick. I think he is very nice person and I realized that I should be good to my parents and my brother. And I should be a good person.

[Nicole Seo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Music on the Bamboo Radio" is about Nicholas Holford, an English boy who's forced to escape his British colonial home in Hong Kong with three Chinese servants after the Japanese invaded in 1941. We see how he has to escape capture by pretending to be Chinese and learning the language and customs in a fishing village. Descriptions are great: we see how Japanese uniforms, cities damaged by war, and Chinese holidays looked in WW2. I liked seeing Nicholas mature as the book progresses. Nicholas gets braver as he gets older, such as when he risks his life to save Tang's life after he gets malaria, and when he gets medicine to British POWs by sneaking into a prison camp. I think readers interested in WW2 adventures will like it best.

[Reina Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a british boy maturing through out World War II. The boy's name is Nicholas Holford( Wing Ming). He lived in Hong Kong with his parents, however since the Japanese invaded Hong Kong, he had to escape as well. Ah Kwan(the gardener), Tang(servant), Ah Mee (Tang's wife & a servant) helps Nicholas to escape from Hong Kong. When he escapes to Tang's Parent's house, he helps their chores and works. I was impressed of him because he adjusts well to new environment. I think his positive attitude made him able to adapt well. In this book, he plays a role as a risk taker, communicator. After the war, he meets his mother and I was able to see that everybody were exhausted and stressed of the war. I recommend to readers who are interested in Chinese history.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story in one go, couldn't put it down - do I have to say more? It narrates the story of Nicholas Holford who as a boy lived through the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II in the care of his family's Chinese servants. A breath-taking, touching and thought-provoking account of bravery and of how difficult times can bring out the best - and unfortunately also the worst in human beings. I highly recommend this book to everyone living in (or interested in) Hong Kong since it gives you an interesting glimpse into this amazing city's past. Be prepared for some big surprises!

[schoiy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Holford is a main character of this book, and he's English boy who lived in Honk Kong with his parents and Chinese servants. I saw his life in China without his parents and he becomes mature. This book makes me feel sad, and make me curious. In this book, as a main character, he shows some attitudes related to a thinker and risk taker. I was touched when Nicholas and his mom met again in their house. Through this book, l learned more about World War 2 and l think it’s such a great book.

[So Hyeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music on the Bamboo is about the boy Nicholas escaping to his servant from Chinese. This book has interesting story development and I think this story has tensions too. My best scene was Nicholas doing a special mission, going into the camp and deliver a secret message. I love the author's way of writing the books and I was really nervous like a real character in the book when Japanese soldiers come into Tang's house and check things. I really recommend this book if you like an adventure stories, and I would like to read it again next time!

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music on the Bamboo Radio by Martin Booth – I took this book home this long weekend and was pleasantly surprised to get so involved in the book that I couldn’t stop reading it. It has been a while since I enjoyed reading a historical fiction book. It additionally was fascinating to follow the WWII story setting in Hong Kong. Living here is interesting in the first place but also it is an interesting glimpse into the past.

[Kate Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Kang Wing Ming, as known as Nicholas is such a brave boy and an awesome boy. He is really confident, brave and also believing in himself. I cannot but think of him how he was brave that much to do lots of scary jobs. He helped a lot of people when they were really sick in prisons. I thought someone will cought him but actually not!!! I liked when the war ended. This story was very touching story at the end and I think I became than ever before..........I love this book!xxx

[Dayoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an impressing book. My school recommended this book, and I think it's a great story. It was very touching, and thrilling for me. For me, I think I can't risk my life and go though such great adventure like Nicholas (Wing-ming). Through this book, I could learn more specific about World War ll. It was really touching at the last point when Nicholas said to his mother 'Watch out for the floor, Mum, some of the boards are missing.'

[naraebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wing-Ming, or Nicholas, is such a brave boy. He survived in the War and live without his mother or his father. I thought he could get caught one day, but he didn't! He even talked to Japanese and got away! I also I liked the part when England won the war because the war ended. I don't like war! So, I LOVE Music on the Bamboo Radio.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

To my opinion, I think that Music on the bamboo Radio is pretty, sad, because of the WAR and how everyone suffered.
The reason I gave this book 3 stars was because I think the author told the story really well, how Nicholas changed during the war without his parents.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin Booth spent much of his childhood growing up on Hong Kong just after the war and it shows through the authenticity of the writing. Good story too and I would recommend it to anyone not just children.

[Monica6472 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting.It's about the Nicholas's life during the World War 2.It explained the situation detailed.So I learned some specific knowledge about what happend during the World War 2.I like this book!

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time when I was younger, it has stayed with me ever since. When I found it again I was reminded of the death, horror, sacrifice and bravery seen in war. I would love to recommend everyone reads it at least once.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good. You can actually feel it happening as you read on

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, as I found it interesting of the story to talk in the perspective of an English boy being in HK at the time of WW2

[Alice]

Amazing.

[Thomas Huang Huang]

This book is good, it is also about WWII in Hong Kong

[Martin Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

main characters name is supposed to be nicholas holford. And book is very interesting because you can't predict what is going to happen next so it gives you a sensation to read on.

[Konrad Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good, the story is good. I think it needs some more action, like killing and shooting.