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Along the Broken Bay
From the bestselling author of A Pledge of Silence comes a story of resistance, intrigue, and risking it all in the WWII Philippines.
December 1941. War has erupted in the Pacific, spelling danger for Gina Capelli Thorpe, an American expat living in Manila. When the Japanese invade and her husband goes missing, Gina flees with her daughter to the Zambales Mountains to avoid capture—or worse.
Desperate for money, medicine, and guns, the resistance recruits Gina to join their underground army and smuggles her back to Manila. There, she forges a new identity and opens a nightclub, where seductive beauties sing, dance, and tease secrets out of high-ranking Japanese officers while the wildly successful club and its enemy patrons help fund the resistance.
But operating undercover in the spotlight has Gina struggling to stay a step ahead of the Japanese. She’s risked everything to take a stand, but her club is a house of cards in the eye of a storm. Can Gina keep this delicate operation running long enough to outlast the enemy, or is she on a sure path to defeat that will put her family, her freedom, or even her life at risk?
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
June 19, 2019
Colonialist claptrap. I couldn't finish this book because of the paternalistic and problematic view of the Philippines. The characters are written with the assumption that they are white--odd for a book that takes place in the Philippines. Don't worry about being able to tell the Filipino characters apart from the white characters, though, because they're all caricatures with dark skin and black hair who speak in broken English and are mocked for continuing to follow some of the indigenous traditions that colonizers failed to wipe out.
Here is an excerpt from Pacita Pestano-Jacinto's diary, "Living With the Enemy," which she kept during the Japanese occupation. Notice how a Filipina describes her countrymen:
"Concentration of enemy civilians has been going on...My houseboy was delirious. 'Hang them, the traitors!' he shouted over the fence. He stopped to pick up a stone but I stopped him.
'You are not to meddle,' I told him sharply. "You must leave it to the Americans, whatever must be done."
'Ay naku! Those Americans. They are too kind. They do not know. An enemy must be to the end an enemy!"
Now contrast this with Solomon's portrayal of a houseboy:
"Gina's maroon LaSalle roadster gleamed, but Miguel, the houseboy, continued to polish it. He babied the car like it was his own. 'Her all gassed up. You want the top down?'"
Solomon portrays Filipino domestic workers in a stereotypical way and has them speaking in broken English, whereas Pestano-Jacinto's diary affords them the dignity they deserve, and also more accurately reflects Filipino English.
Here is an excerpt from Pacita Pestano-Jacinto's diary, "Living With the Enemy," which she kept during the Japanese occupation. Notice how a Filipina describes her countrymen:
"Concentration of enemy civilians has been going on...My houseboy was delirious. 'Hang them, the traitors!' he shouted over the fence. He stopped to pick up a stone but I stopped him.
'You are not to meddle,' I told him sharply. "You must leave it to the Americans, whatever must be done."
'Ay naku! Those Americans. They are too kind. They do not know. An enemy must be to the end an enemy!"
Now contrast this with Solomon's portrayal of a houseboy:
"Gina's maroon LaSalle roadster gleamed, but Miguel, the houseboy, continued to polish it. He babied the car like it was his own. 'Her all gassed up. You want the top down?'"
Solomon portrays Filipino domestic workers in a stereotypical way and has them speaking in broken English, whereas Pestano-Jacinto's diary affords them the dignity they deserve, and also more accurately reflects Filipino English.
June 21, 2019
After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japan invaded and occupied the Phillipines. All Americans, soldiers and civilians, were taken prisoner. Some American families were imprisoned or they escaped into the mountains to hide from the enemy. Many of us know of the Bataan march and the atrocities inflicted on our men and women. This is the story of a family and soldiers who through guerrilla tactics fought back.
This is the second historical fiction by Flora Simpson about this particular area of fighting during WWII in the Pacific. According to the author, the story was developed based on written experiences by those who were there. I thought the novel was unique in its theme and was extremely well written. Character development was extraordinary. The protagonist, a woman whose heroic deeds helped her own family and those soldiers fighting with the resistance.
Thanks to Amazon and the “First Reads” program, I was given a prerelease of this novel. Highly recommended.
This is the second historical fiction by Flora Simpson about this particular area of fighting during WWII in the Pacific. According to the author, the story was developed based on written experiences by those who were there. I thought the novel was unique in its theme and was extremely well written. Character development was extraordinary. The protagonist, a woman whose heroic deeds helped her own family and those soldiers fighting with the resistance.
Thanks to Amazon and the “First Reads” program, I was given a prerelease of this novel. Highly recommended.
October 3, 2019
I selected this book to see a perspective of WWII in the Philippines. Unfortunately the main character was so vapid and unlikeable that I didn't care what happened to her. Gina is a society woman, caught up with Junior League, looking good, and..... that's all. She has a daughter that is raised by the help, and she has an undying faith in General MacArthur. Her husband is with the army and tensions are mounting with Japan.
When Japan attacks, Gina avoids doing the best, wisest, safest thing time after time. When she finally flees the city, she forces her young maid to come with her (despite her maid's protests that she wants to stay in the city with her mother). Her maid is native Filipino, you know that because she speaks in broken English, and has primitive believes (which Gina mocks). The maid saves the children from Japanese soldiers, and then after the family has been evacuated further into the mountains announces that she is returning to the city to be with her mother, Gina is upset because "who would unpack and organize for her" and commented "I don't cook".
Seriously? This vapid woman supposedly does some espionage later in the book, but I find that hard to believe with how worthless she is in the beginning. I don't care enough to keep reading.
When Japan attacks, Gina avoids doing the best, wisest, safest thing time after time. When she finally flees the city, she forces her young maid to come with her (despite her maid's protests that she wants to stay in the city with her mother). Her maid is native Filipino, you know that because she speaks in broken English, and has primitive believes (which Gina mocks). The maid saves the children from Japanese soldiers, and then after the family has been evacuated further into the mountains announces that she is returning to the city to be with her mother, Gina is upset because "who would unpack and organize for her" and commented "I don't cook".
Seriously? This vapid woman supposedly does some espionage later in the book, but I find that hard to believe with how worthless she is in the beginning. I don't care enough to keep reading.
June 5, 2019
A different view of WWII
Along the Broken Bay by Flora Solomon is a well written story of an Italian-American woman and her child trapped in Manila during the WWII invasion by Japan. Living a priveledged life with cooks, maids, and nannies prior to the occupation, she and other resident Americans quickly learn to live with less than nothing as they escape to the mountains to stay hidden from the Japanese.
I appreciate the disclaimer at the start of the book regarding the use of racial slurs. I understood as I read the book that as offensive as some of the language may be, these were the words that were used at that time, historically accurate.
I enjoyed this book - a fresh view of WWII in an abundance of novels recently published focusing specifically on the action in Germany and Europe. The descriptive writing painted pictures, allowing me to clearly see and experience the story. There were moments I could hear the monkeys screaming in the trees, feel the fear as the enemy passed by. This is the first book I've read by this author, but will definitely read more.
This book will be available 7/1/19, I highly recommend.
Along the Broken Bay by Flora Solomon is a well written story of an Italian-American woman and her child trapped in Manila during the WWII invasion by Japan. Living a priveledged life with cooks, maids, and nannies prior to the occupation, she and other resident Americans quickly learn to live with less than nothing as they escape to the mountains to stay hidden from the Japanese.
I appreciate the disclaimer at the start of the book regarding the use of racial slurs. I understood as I read the book that as offensive as some of the language may be, these were the words that were used at that time, historically accurate.
I enjoyed this book - a fresh view of WWII in an abundance of novels recently published focusing specifically on the action in Germany and Europe. The descriptive writing painted pictures, allowing me to clearly see and experience the story. There were moments I could hear the monkeys screaming in the trees, feel the fear as the enemy passed by. This is the first book I've read by this author, but will definitely read more.
This book will be available 7/1/19, I highly recommend.
July 8, 2019
The book gets off to a slow start, with too much description and character background that could wait to be incorporated into the narrative later on in the story. It soon picks up and rattles along at a fair pace right up until the end. It is most certainly a roller-coaster of action and emotions. In fact, roller-coaster is very apt. If you think about it, that ride takes you slowly to the top of the first climb and then dives and twists and turns and it makes your head and body spin. You scream, you laugh, you cry. This book will do all of that to you.
The author has obviously done a lot of research for this book. She has done as I always advise people who want to write who ask me, "What is your top tip for potential writers?" I say to them, "Read a lot." She has made disassembled real characters from the wartime Philippines era and reassembled them into her fictional characters. The result is very authentic and believable.
Once you are into the third of fourth chapter, you will find this book difficult to put down. It is skillfully written. I always wanted to know what would happen next. The end of a chapter was definitely NOT the time to switch off my bedside light.
Your emotions will be stirred, right up to the end.
I highly recommend this book to all my friends.
The author has obviously done a lot of research for this book. She has done as I always advise people who want to write who ask me, "What is your top tip for potential writers?" I say to them, "Read a lot." She has made disassembled real characters from the wartime Philippines era and reassembled them into her fictional characters. The result is very authentic and believable.
Once you are into the third of fourth chapter, you will find this book difficult to put down. It is skillfully written. I always wanted to know what would happen next. The end of a chapter was definitely NOT the time to switch off my bedside light.
Your emotions will be stirred, right up to the end.
I highly recommend this book to all my friends.
April 26, 2019
I was given an Advance Reader copy of this book.
Excellent read. Well written account of World War 2 in the Philippines, beginning with the Bataan Death March. Flora writes with a sharp eye for detail. Her characters are well developed and the plot keeps your interest.
If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend this book. Along the Broken Bay is a good read!
Excellent read. Well written account of World War 2 in the Philippines, beginning with the Bataan Death March. Flora writes with a sharp eye for detail. Her characters are well developed and the plot keeps your interest.
If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend this book. Along the Broken Bay is a good read!
June 24, 2019
One of the better Kindle First reads I've received. Here's why I liked it:
1. Interesting story about an aspect of WWII I was not familiar with: the Pacific theater, specifically the Philippines. So, I learned.
2. Relatively thoughtful approach to the racism and colonialism the West brought to the Philippines. I would have liked a bit more growth on Gina's (and maybe other characters') part, but it was there.
3. The pacing was good. No bogging down in minuscule details. Enough interest to keep going, but no annoying cliff hangers.
4. Characters were pretty well developed. In Gina's life, there was an ever-changing cast of characters, so it would not make much sense to delve too deeply. Still, there was enough.
5. The research. Solomon, the author, did her homework.
6. The emotions. How can you read a book about wartime without emotion? (And yet, I have read some in the past....)
7. The snippets from Ray's journal that started each chapter. I really wondered if this was based on a real-life American prisoner-of-war. Very nice touch.
What I would have changed:
Not much, except perhaps some of the dialogue, which sounded a bit too 21st-century at points. Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, some may find parts of it disturbing.
1. Interesting story about an aspect of WWII I was not familiar with: the Pacific theater, specifically the Philippines. So, I learned.
2. Relatively thoughtful approach to the racism and colonialism the West brought to the Philippines. I would have liked a bit more growth on Gina's (and maybe other characters') part, but it was there.
3. The pacing was good. No bogging down in minuscule details. Enough interest to keep going, but no annoying cliff hangers.
4. Characters were pretty well developed. In Gina's life, there was an ever-changing cast of characters, so it would not make much sense to delve too deeply. Still, there was enough.
5. The research. Solomon, the author, did her homework.
6. The emotions. How can you read a book about wartime without emotion? (And yet, I have read some in the past....)
7. The snippets from Ray's journal that started each chapter. I really wondered if this was based on a real-life American prisoner-of-war. Very nice touch.
What I would have changed:
Not much, except perhaps some of the dialogue, which sounded a bit too 21st-century at points. Overall, I enjoyed this book. However, some may find parts of it disturbing.
July 22, 2019
Finished reading: July 19th 2019
"Manila's magic was gone, replaced by an undercurrent of fear potent enough to be sensed by an observer."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
June 8, 2019
What an unbelievable, but based on facts, story.
I’ve not read many stories about World War II in the Phillipines but this one and the author’s previous book, A Pledge of Silence, certainly opened my eyes to the fact that the Americans who were living there when the war broke out were treated so inhumanely under their Japanese captors. Both books are truly eye-openers about the war in the Pacific that so little is heard about. These books contain very graphic and disturbing scenes that, while fiction, are based on true facts. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you won’t want to miss either of these books.
I’ve not read many stories about World War II in the Phillipines but this one and the author’s previous book, A Pledge of Silence, certainly opened my eyes to the fact that the Americans who were living there when the war broke out were treated so inhumanely under their Japanese captors. Both books are truly eye-openers about the war in the Pacific that so little is heard about. These books contain very graphic and disturbing scenes that, while fiction, are based on true facts. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you won’t want to miss either of these books.
June 30, 2019
This, surprisingly, was a pretty easy read. The author's style isn't laden with too much description, but instead, just enough to draw the reader into the time and place. I've read zero books about the war in the Pacific until this one and really feel as though I came away with a sense of the tragedy of the war.
We follow along with Gina, the somewhat pampered wife of an expat, living in Manilla. When war breaks out, she flees the city with her daughter and best friend. Author Flora Solomon gives readers glimpses into a variety of things that happened in the Philippines after the Japanese invasion.
We see Gina living in the jungle, witnessing the Baatan Death March, returning to Manilla as a spy, and eventually being imprisoned and tortured. While all this was interesting and opened my eyes to the atrocities of the time, I found I was never really centered, never connected with any of characters as it felt they were just tools to showcase the next horror. I wanted to feel more for the characters, instead I had more of a general sense of their powerlessness and anger at their situation.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Along the Broken Bay and appreciated it as an intro to the War in the Pacific.
We follow along with Gina, the somewhat pampered wife of an expat, living in Manilla. When war breaks out, she flees the city with her daughter and best friend. Author Flora Solomon gives readers glimpses into a variety of things that happened in the Philippines after the Japanese invasion.
We see Gina living in the jungle, witnessing the Baatan Death March, returning to Manilla as a spy, and eventually being imprisoned and tortured. While all this was interesting and opened my eyes to the atrocities of the time, I found I was never really centered, never connected with any of characters as it felt they were just tools to showcase the next horror. I wanted to feel more for the characters, instead I had more of a general sense of their powerlessness and anger at their situation.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Along the Broken Bay and appreciated it as an intro to the War in the Pacific.
July 16, 2019
I am finally done with this book. Not really a fan of the writing style, but the story needed to be told. Growing up, I remember my mother telling us unbelievable stories of the Japanese atrocities perpetuated on the local Filipinos in occupied Manila. I only half believed her. She told of the family fleeing to the mountains, too. And of living in Manila while my father had to work for the Japanese... fearful of being killed if they did not comply, but also fearful of being considered collaborators. I'm sorry I didn't believe her. History books only told the bare bones of the story. I recommend this book for the story it tells, but do want to reiterate that for me, the writing left a little to be desired.
September 7, 2020
Historical fiction. WW2 Philippines.
Well written and researched historical fiction story of civilians surviving the occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese. Women and children fleeing Manilla seemed harsh and frightening but as time went on the struggles to survive and the constant moving of camps up .mountains and into the deeper denser jungle sharing with a growing guerrilla militia that needed food, clothing, medical care, and more and more ammunition.
These times made the early part of this look simple. War violence and unimaginable cruelty and torture by the Japanese was vividly described including death marches.. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is real and raw.
The author also brought the underground resistance and diversity of its' ranks to life through the actions of a woman, Gina, sent back to Manilla to help with the resistance and raising money.. Brave people with a common purpose and the courage to trust and grow their ranks.
Each chapter begins with a paragraph or a few lines by Gina's husband who is spending the war in prison and prisoner work camps. Gina is arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese and I could feel her husband's words coming back to me.
Great book. Very interesting to read about women who fought in a different way for freedom and survival for family and friends.
Well written and researched historical fiction story of civilians surviving the occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese. Women and children fleeing Manilla seemed harsh and frightening but as time went on the struggles to survive and the constant moving of camps up .mountains and into the deeper denser jungle sharing with a growing guerrilla militia that needed food, clothing, medical care, and more and more ammunition.
These times made the early part of this look simple. War violence and unimaginable cruelty and torture by the Japanese was vividly described including death marches.. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is real and raw.
The author also brought the underground resistance and diversity of its' ranks to life through the actions of a woman, Gina, sent back to Manilla to help with the resistance and raising money.. Brave people with a common purpose and the courage to trust and grow their ranks.
Each chapter begins with a paragraph or a few lines by Gina's husband who is spending the war in prison and prisoner work camps. Gina is arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese and I could feel her husband's words coming back to me.
Great book. Very interesting to read about women who fought in a different way for freedom and survival for family and friends.
January 16, 2020
It was a privileged lifestyle the Pearl of the Orient offered her, and she trusted that General MacArthur would never let the Japanese anywhere near it.
Gina Thorpe is living a charmed life as an American in the Philippines in 1941. She has servants and enjoys all the comforts of an upper-class lifestyle. Her husband Ray has been called to active duty because of the tensions with Japan, but Gina isn't worried. Then, the unthinkable happens: the Japanese invade and the US and Philippine Armies are routed. She loses contact with her husband, and before long she has to flee with her daughter into the mountains. But after witnessing some of the atrocities inflicted by the Japanese, she joins the resistance.
I've had this on my kindle app for a while and thought it looked interesting, but a couple of GR reviews nearly dissuaded me from reading it. It starts a little slowly and Gina isn't the most sympathetic character - she comes off as whiny and unable to care for herself, at least initially. But whereas some reviewers found the book condescending toward Filipinos, I thought they were portrayed as incredibly brave and resourceful in their resistance. Yes, some of the dialect is written in a 'pidgin' style, but that's only a few characters and other Filipinos speak perfect English. And as Gina has to do without servants and later puts herself in danger to help, she realizes she's capable of more than she realized.
Based upon multiple real-life accounts, I thought this was an very good read and - although fictional - quite enlightening as to what it might have been like for people who lived through WW2 in the Philippines.
Gina Thorpe is living a charmed life as an American in the Philippines in 1941. She has servants and enjoys all the comforts of an upper-class lifestyle. Her husband Ray has been called to active duty because of the tensions with Japan, but Gina isn't worried. Then, the unthinkable happens: the Japanese invade and the US and Philippine Armies are routed. She loses contact with her husband, and before long she has to flee with her daughter into the mountains. But after witnessing some of the atrocities inflicted by the Japanese, she joins the resistance.
I've had this on my kindle app for a while and thought it looked interesting, but a couple of GR reviews nearly dissuaded me from reading it. It starts a little slowly and Gina isn't the most sympathetic character - she comes off as whiny and unable to care for herself, at least initially. But whereas some reviewers found the book condescending toward Filipinos, I thought they were portrayed as incredibly brave and resourceful in their resistance. Yes, some of the dialect is written in a 'pidgin' style, but that's only a few characters and other Filipinos speak perfect English. And as Gina has to do without servants and later puts herself in danger to help, she realizes she's capable of more than she realized.
Based upon multiple real-life accounts, I thought this was an very good read and - although fictional - quite enlightening as to what it might have been like for people who lived through WW2 in the Philippines.
September 18, 2019
The story takes place just before World War 2 comes to the Philippines. It centers around Gina Thorpe, an American living in Manila with her family. Once the Japanese invade the city and her husband is missing, she decides to run to the mountains to hide. She ends up getting connected with guerilla fighters and stays with them for a while, until they convince her to return to Manila to fund raise for the resistance. She opens a night club and much of the book is her turmoil with living amongst the Japanese soldiers while trying to balance the hatred she has for them with the fear and desire to aid the resistance in the mountains.
It's a very well written story. The author paints a vivid picture of the emotions that the people who lived through that occupation would have gone through.
It's a very well written story. The author paints a vivid picture of the emotions that the people who lived through that occupation would have gone through.
April 12, 2023
I read a lot of cozy mysteries where I expect the writing to be fluffy but in a novel written about WWII dealing with the war in the Philippines I expected more. I never felt emotionally connected to the main character.
September 11, 2019
A fresh look at WWII
So much focus is paid to the European theater that this was a refreshing look at what happened in the Pacific theater. Told from Multiple woman’s points of view made it touching and heartfelt. Historical details were spot on and emotions ran high. I highly recommend this book for those who love World War II stories
So much focus is paid to the European theater that this was a refreshing look at what happened in the Pacific theater. Told from Multiple woman’s points of view made it touching and heartfelt. Historical details were spot on and emotions ran high. I highly recommend this book for those who love World War II stories
June 9, 2019
Survivors
Interesting story about people , civilians mostly, who were survivors of the Philippines after the Japanese took it from General MacArthur during the beginning of WW 2.
These people did extraordinary things to help the resistance. Families were moving constantly in the mountains and the woods to avoid detection. They had to scavenge for food not only for themselves but for the resistance soldiers.
They were eventually discovered, captured and tortured. Few survived.
Interesting story about people , civilians mostly, who were survivors of the Philippines after the Japanese took it from General MacArthur during the beginning of WW 2.
These people did extraordinary things to help the resistance. Families were moving constantly in the mountains and the woods to avoid detection. They had to scavenge for food not only for themselves but for the resistance soldiers.
They were eventually discovered, captured and tortured. Few survived.
June 21, 2019
ALONG THE BROKEN BAY by Flora J. Solomon is a work of historical fiction that tells a gripping story of the Japanese invasion and occupation of the Philippines during World War II. As many books as I have read about World War II, I was unfamiliar with this aspect of the Japanese aggression in the Pacific theater. The main character, Gina Capelli Thorpe, is an American woman living in Manila with her husband and daughter. She and her ex-pat friends are leading an exciting and privileged life in the city until the invasion by the Japanese in 1941. Unable to reach her husband and fearing him captured or worse, Gina flees to their remote cabin near the Zambales Mountains hoping to wait out the Japanese occupation of the city. There, Gina is recruited to join the resistance in its efforts to infiltrate the enemy. The story tells of the extraordinarily brave people, especially civilians, who risked their lives to help the resistance. The characters are based in part on real people and are very well-portrayed. The descriptions are vivid and often horrific. The author captures the ugly brutality of war, but also the resilience of those struggling just to survive. I highly recommend this compelling book. ALONG THE BROKEN BAY was my Amazon First Reads selection for June.
June 27, 2019
Fascinating WWII story
History and historical fiction have become my favorite reads. Enjoyed this one immensely. Have read "We Band Of Angels", a true story of military nurses in Manilla when invaded by the Japanese who ultimately wound up interned at Santo Tomas. Along The Broken Bay follows those events precisely. The conditions and treatment at Santo Tomas were also spot on. All the events in between seemed so realistic that it seemed like non fiction. Truly a great representation of the horrors of survival under the inhumane rule of the Japanese military.
History and historical fiction have become my favorite reads. Enjoyed this one immensely. Have read "We Band Of Angels", a true story of military nurses in Manilla when invaded by the Japanese who ultimately wound up interned at Santo Tomas. Along The Broken Bay follows those events precisely. The conditions and treatment at Santo Tomas were also spot on. All the events in between seemed so realistic that it seemed like non fiction. Truly a great representation of the horrors of survival under the inhumane rule of the Japanese military.
July 24, 2019
Good start
Although I applaud the author for her interest in this time in history her setting does not evoke the at atmosphere or culture of the Philippines or the U.S. at that time. She is writing about people who in their recent history had just lived through world war two and the depression, we were no where near a culture where a character's mother survived a disease and was retiring to the beach. The gastronomic delights that your characters dream of hit the American palate long after ww2. Good start but travel and understand the historical context of the time chosen to write about. Your anachronisms make it hard to find credibility in your story. Again good idea for a story unconvincing to one who has visited those dismal tunnels.
Although I applaud the author for her interest in this time in history her setting does not evoke the at atmosphere or culture of the Philippines or the U.S. at that time. She is writing about people who in their recent history had just lived through world war two and the depression, we were no where near a culture where a character's mother survived a disease and was retiring to the beach. The gastronomic delights that your characters dream of hit the American palate long after ww2. Good start but travel and understand the historical context of the time chosen to write about. Your anachronisms make it hard to find credibility in your story. Again good idea for a story unconvincing to one who has visited those dismal tunnels.
July 12, 2019
Meh. Strange approach, for a historical fiction book. I felt like it was parts of several stories that were strung together, but never became the cohesive and compelling book I wanted it to be. Writing was ok, but the story was lacking.
January 26, 2020
Its overwhelming to think of all the horrors that occurred simultaneously during WWII.
February 13, 2020
This is a book that I liked a lot because I don't know much about what happened in the Philippines during World War II. The book was so good that I couldn't stop reading it. I liked that the narrative was always constant, there are no slow moments, the story its so interesting that made me pay attention the whole time. The story is about Gina Capelli Thorpe, wife of Raymond Thorpe who is working for the United States Army, they have one daughter, Cheryl. I think it's hard to live during this time, especially with children. I liked that Gina was very creative in how she explained to her daughter what was happening without affecting her childhood. One day their house catches fire, this forces them to go to a cabin that is located in the rural area of the island. Enraged and worried about what happened, Gina wants to volunteer for a special but very dangerous mission, this is to spy on the Japanese who are in Manila. I was fascinated by this part because I was intrigued and worried that she was not discovered and that this story could have a happy ending. It's definitely worth a read.
September 8, 2019
A very interesting and startling book. Having read many WWII historical novels set in Europe and just a very few set in the Pacific, it was amazing to read of the takeover of the Philippines. The main character is likely a representation of the experiences of many Americans living in Manilla when the Japanese invaded those islands. It definitely made me want to know more about the history of the Philippines as well as more of the people themselves. I recommend the book but be warned, it is not always a pleasant read.
March 18, 2020
This book was very good, but it was not one of my favorites. I normally read on the other side of WW2 so reading on the Japanese side was a little weird, but interesting too. It took me so long to get through but only because I was super busy and couldn't find time to read. I bet that if I had the time to fly through it I would have liked it more than I did. I recommend this book to anyone who likes WW2 fiction.
May 23, 2023
Based in Manila during WWII, Along the Broken Bay was a story of the guerrilla factions that fought against the Japanese occupation. It was gritty and violent, as any book that includes the Bataan death march has to be. It also showed the good side of humanity as the guerrilla camps became mobile communities caring for the sick, protecting children, and sharing resources. I recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.
September 5, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It takes place in the Philippines during WWII. Although I’ve read many novels about the time period, this was the first I’d learned of the Philippines part in the war. The story was absolutely compelling and extremely well-told. The characters felt extraordinarily real, lending weight to their feelings and experiences.
February 3, 2020
This book was like a show stopper for me - I just wanted everything to stop so I could keep reading it. The story revolves around a woman, her family and other characters and their lives during WWII in Manilla. I've read several books set in WWII but never about what happened in the Philippines. It gave me another perspective of the war. I felt the book was well written. The incredible strength of the characters - some loosely based on real people - was awe inspiring. Now, I want to read Flora Solomon's book, "A Pledge of Silence." But I've gotta give myself a break emotionally before I read that one. Yes, I recommend this book.
December 31, 2022
3.5
I liked a lot about this book, but many things I found problematic and things finished up a little too nicely. I really liked the idea of the book, but maybe would have liked it better if it would have been from multiple perspectives.
I liked a lot about this book, but many things I found problematic and things finished up a little too nicely. I really liked the idea of the book, but maybe would have liked it better if it would have been from multiple perspectives.
June 7, 2019
Excellent historical fiction
I had reservations about reading this as it would remind me of the viciousness of war . The author does a marvelous job of creating characters based on actual heroes. It was impossible to put down!
I had reservations about reading this as it would remind me of the viciousness of war . The author does a marvelous job of creating characters based on actual heroes. It was impossible to put down!
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