The Lantern Boats

by Tessa Morris-Suzuki

A WEB OF ESPIONAGE AND BETRAYAL IN OCCUPIED JAPAN DRAWS IN TIGHT.

Tokyo, 1951.

Elly Ruskin is still struggling to settle. Half-Japanese by heritage, Elly was repatriated to Japan after the war, but Tokyo is a city she barely knows. And now she’s certain her new husband is having an affair with the enigmatic Japanese poet known as Vida Vidanto. 

Yet Elly is not the only one suspicious of Vida.

The occupying American forces have their eye on her too. Kamiya Jun has been recruited to spy on the poet and find out why Vida spent her war years in China. He is perfect for the part. A war orphan, he has honed the art of becoming invisible in order to survive. But following Vida leads Jun to the Ruskins. And he soon finds himself delving into their private lives as well. 

Then Vida Vidanto is found murdered in her apartment. Is it a case of mere jealousy or has there been a betrayal of a more dangerous kind? 

Because Vida had more than one secret worth killing for.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Japan, Mystery, Historical, Adult

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

Tessa Morris-Suzuki is Professor of Japanese History at Australian National University and the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including most recently East Asia Beyond the History Wars, with Morris Low, Leonid Petrov and Timothy Y. Tsu, and Borderline Japan, and a recipient of the 2013 Fukuoka Prize.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tokyo, 1951: Elly Ruskin is still struggling to settle. Half Japanese by heritage, Elly was repatriated to Japan after the war, but Tokyo is a city she barely knows. And now Elly is certain her new husband is having an affair with the enigmatic Japanese poet know as Vida Vidanto. Elly bis not the only one suspicious of Vida. The occupying American Forces have their eye on hwe too.

Set in post WWII: The story gives us an insight into what it was like in Asia after the war was over. We follow Jun and Elly on their journey through life and it's told from both their perspectives. With the Korean War approaching, Elly and Fergus are involved in a case of a mysterious death. The pace is steady and the characters are well developed. A mix of historical fiction and thriller. My onlycomplaint is that i felt the ending was a bit rushed.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, JoffeBooks and the author #TessaMorrisSuzuki for my ARC of #TheLanternBoats in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hauntingly beautiful festival of Toro Nagashi (literally, ‘flowing lanterns’) is one of the major events in Japan’s year. Traditionally celebrated at the end of Obon – a three-day Buddhist festival held in late August – Toro Nagashi sees thousands of lanterns set afloat at dusk to commemorate the souls of the dead. The resulting scene is a spectacular play of light and dark as the lanterns’ glow slowly fades into the distance. During Obon, it’s believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors return to their homes for a short period. A mukaebi (‘welcoming fire’) is lit so that the ancestors can easily find their way home.

Elly Ruskin is finding it hard to settle in Japan, even though she is half-Japanese by heritage. Part of the problem is that she suspects her husband is having an affair with Vida Vidantao, a well-known Japanese poet.

Elly is not the only person keeping an eye on Vida. Occupying American forces want to know why Vida spent years in China. Enter Kamiya Jun who goes undercover to spy on her.

Vida has secrets ... secrets worth killing for. She is found murdered in her apartment. Is it a case of mere jealousy or has there been a betrayal of a more dangerous kind?

I loved the history of Tokyo in 1951. I enjoyed the meaning of the lantern boats .. all new to me. It;s entertaining, it's compelling, it's a murder mystery, it's a story of love, betrayal ... and secrets. The plot is complex, well-written, with deftly drawn characters. Surprises abound and lead to an unexpected conclusion. The author is Emeritus Professor of Japanese History at the Australian National University. As such, I expected a great deal of credibility... and I was not disappointed.

Many thanks to the author / Joffee Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

4.5 STARS

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post war Japan. Betrayal and murder!

A young Scottish Japanese woman has been repatriated from Australia to Japan after the war.
Elly and her family had been residents in Australia and interned there during the war. In Japan she meets and married a Scots journalist, Fergus Ruskin. They are looking to adopt a child,
A Japanese youth, Kamiya Jun, from islands off from Russia was working on a smuggling boat, and through a series of happenings ends up in an American intelligence unit that has a very low profile, a Black Ops type organisation.
Elly and Jun’s lives intersect when he sees her attending an event entitled, Study Circle on Women in the New China. The woman he’s been tracking, Vida Vidanto, the Japanese Poet, whom he dubs The Fox is speaking. Elly hardly knows Vida, but she accepts an invitation to lunch, curious to know more about her, afraid of what her husband Fergus’ relationship might be with Vida. And so Elly and Vida get dragged into Jun’s surveillance operations. Work that he falsifies and embellishes to satisfy his new masters, fearful of consequences for himself if he doesn’t. There are however dire outcomes for others.
People collide innocently and others interpret those meetings as darker events.
Knowing the thinking of post war United States comes in handy. The House UnAmerican trials with Senator MCarthy are happening in the States instigated to root out communism, the Allied Occupation of Japan is led by the Americans, and Communism and Russia is a threat on one hand, with China on the other.
An unusual, edgy and interesting story that engages with history from a different perspective. Morris-Suzuki strikes to the heart of fears and life for many in Japan in the years following the war.
I do love the cover BTW

A Jofee Books ARC via NetGalley

[Poptart19 (the name’s ren) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A thoughtful & touching story of family, survival, trust, & secrets. It’s more literary fiction than a mystery, although there are secrets & unanswered questions that lend suspense. I liked the characters, & especially the setting.

[What I liked:]

•The Allied Occupation of Japan (1945-1952) is a fascinating time period—occupying forces on high alert for any communist/socialist activity, massive political shifts, civilians struggling with tragedy & trauma in the aftermath of the war, & rapid cultural & social & economic changes (often imposed by the occupiers & often motivated by racism). It’s an era I’ve personally invested time in researching, and this book delivers: evocative of place, societal tensions, and the war-torn landscape of 1951 Japan, just months away from Japan’s regaining of national sovereignty.

•I really liked Elly. She’s so relatable & admirable, but not at all perfect. Fergus, Vida, & Ted I liked as well—each is very interesting & I wanted to know them better.

•The domestic/relational tensions are skillfully woven together with the larger external threats facing Elly & those connected to her. The thrills aren’t there just for excitement’s sake, the secrets touch her deepest fears & longings.

•This book is well researched & the writer has an academic background in Japanese history. I really appreciated the bibliography she shared, as well as her notes on the historical events & figures that inspired this novel.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•Getting Spero’s birth registered with no proof seemed a bit far-fetched...although I know things weren’t quite as well documented back then. Still, since it was pointed out that Elly had difficulty getting her own British passport as an adult, you’d think there would have been similar roadblocks in getting one for Spero.

•The infidelity bit is kind of glossed over at the end. It’s not really resolved between the involved parties, so it felt a little like things were brushed under the rug to give a happy ending by the end of the book.

•Kamiya’s character is hard for me to sum up my feelings for. On one hand he does have emotional depth, & I liked his backstory & seeing how he processed his thoughts & feelings about his adventures during the story. On the other, I never really got a sense of what he was living for. Of course he was young & perhaps still only in survival mode, but I think I would’ve connected to him better if I knew what he wanted out of life & what his dreams were.

CW: murder, torture, infidelity, miscarriage

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

[dana sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

To be completely honest, thrillers aren’t typically my cup of tea. However something about this book just drew me in. I was in the mood to read something that I don’t typically pick up and this was perfect for me.

The characters are well-developed and are incredibly well written. Their perspectives also are completely different and add to the plot in different ways which I really enjoyed. With Kelly we got the perspective of someone living a seemingly normal like, however with Jun we got someone who would do anything to survive. The differences between the two characters also adds a lot of contrast, from Kelly who is suddenly forced into this world, to Jun whose day to day life is constantly packed with action.

It’s clear from reading the book just how well researched it is. However, I cant really speak on how good the representation was.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stunning beautiful cover of this novel made me want to read this book. However I was expecting something more than I read. The book starts with Jun, a young boy working on boats sent on a secret mission by his captain but ending up spying on a poet Vida Vidanta. Elly and her husband Fergus live in post war Japan, their paths link with Jun as Fergus (a journalist) is interviewing Vida.
Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the historical perspective of this novel, but I didn’t love the book. I read the first half and kind of sped read the second half, and while I feel like I learned a lot of Japan in the 1950s, I didn’t feel a strong connection with the characters.

I will say I admire the author and I trust the history presented here, and it prompted me to explore more nonfiction account of the post war occupation of Japan. It was a unique time period in world history and I’m glad I got to explore that more.

[Juno Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?

In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.

It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.

I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...

Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:

1. Reading Exercises the Brain

While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.

2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment

Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.

3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus

We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.

4. Reading Improves Literacy

Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.

5. Reading Improves Sleep

By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.

6. Reading Increases General Knowledge

Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.

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By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.

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[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elly Ruskin and her husband Fergus are living in post war Japan. They are trying to adopt a child but Elly is worried that Fergus may not be faithful. The woman she suspects is the mysterious Vida, a poet with a political past. Meanwhile young Kamiya Jun is recruited by military officers and forced to follow Vida and note all her actions, reporting all to his spy masters.
The Lantern Boats is an historical novel set in 1951. The book begins with a body floating along the river with the little lantern boats that have been released to honour the recent war dead. We are then taken back 5 months to see young Jun working on a smuggling boat when he is caught and fearing for his life, agrees to spy on a woman with potential criminal intent.
I am a little unclear about the political situation in Japan in the 1940s and 50s but it seems that the country was occupied by Americans who were fearful about political stances during the war as well as postwar communism due to the proximity of China and Korea.
It took me a little while to get into this book but by halfway I felt that I cared about the characters. Would Elly get the child she has been hoping for? Has Fergus been having an affair with Vida? Whose is the body with the lantern boats? Will Jun discover something vital about Vida?
The themes of passion and duty, family and betrayal resonate through the pages. Elly, Fergus, Jun and Vida are all likeable characters but there is tension and danger threatening each of them. The domestic life of Elly and Fergus and their longing for a child is heartbreaking, while Vida and Jun's activities could have major public repercussions.
The Lantern Boats had an interesting mix of history, personal and international politics, emotion and action.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this while searching for books set in Japan to add to my collection. It was written by British expatriate Tessa Morris-Suzuki and tells a story set in 1951 Tokyo inspired by true events.

I admit, I struggled to decide how to rate this one. The blurb gives away three quarters of the story, so the first 75% was setting the scene. But what a scene it was.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Pros:
✨Beautifully rich historical setting. The author is a historian, and I felt I was there in post-war, occupied Tokyo, the struggle years of the Showa Era
✨Good prose
✨The plot line was unlike my usual reads and so will likely stick with me

Cons:
✨The story took a while to get started
✨Some parts seemed a little “out there” for my taste.
✨The blurb gave away most of the plot, so I struggled to connect with a character who dies around 70% of the way through (you’re told this happens in the blurb, so it’s not a spoiler)!

THE LANTERN BOATS is more of a slice of life in this era, and a sad reminder of the corruption of the times and how the poor and “worthless” of society can be cast aside with no repercussions. I loved the setting, and the last quarter of the book was terrific.

I give THE LANTERN BOATS three stars out of five!

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story set in post-WW11 occupied Japan.
The Korean War is coming and the spread of communism is felt everywhere.
It follows the story of Kamiya Jun, a young Japanese man ,a war orphan and Elly a young woman of mixed Japanese / British heritage who is married to a Scottish journalist.
Although neither know each other, a chain of events is set in motion when a poet Vida Vidanto is murdered.
A tale of espionage and betrayal.
If you enjoy historical fiction with the added bonus of a bit of mystery and suspense you will definitely enjoy this one.
Beautifully written, the authors descriptions transported me to 1950s Tokyo, it almost felt like watching an old black and white movie.

Thanks to Joffe books for sending me this as an arc.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lantern Boats took me a long time to read. I kept starting it and then abandoning after a few lines so I made a determined effort to get through it.

This novel is set against post war Tokyo but I didn't feel the usual connection to the setting that I usually would. I just did not feel immersed in the era, the time or the sense of identity. Elly is half japanese and is suspicious of her husband having an affair with an enigmatic poet.

But the novel for me juts coasts along. I found Kamiya Run's story a bit more interesting and wanted a bit more of his back story explored.

Lovely novel this just was not for me,

[Beachcomber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounded an interesting story from the blurb. But I didn’t feel it really delivered, sadly. It features two stories - Elly and her journalist husband trying to adopt, and Kamiya the war orphan, both linked via an Esperanto-speaking poet called Vida Vidanto. But the mystery and betrayal never really surfaced for me - the book drifted along steadily enough, before an abrupt ending. I hit 92% and was waiting for some kind of confrontation regarding the man in the photo… then nothing. It just stopped and started doing blurbs for other books.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Apologies for the long delay in providing this.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Lantern Boats by Tessa Morris-Suzuki in exchange for an honest review. I don't normally read historical fiction, as is evidenced by my other reviews, but in college I fell in love with Japan and it's history. This novel takes a woman who is half Japanese and living in another country and repatriates her to Japan after the war. How many people in history and even now are sent to a country they have never known simply for their genetics? To read about her struggle and the cultural differences was fascinating. I really enjoyed this book.

[Neeraja Sankaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars means I liked it. The beginning of the book set a tone of dread, that was perhaps not exactly lived up to in the rest of the book (which I'm not exactly complaining about because I don't love dread necessarily) even though some of the things that happened were dreadful enough. Having read two of this author's book, I have to say I really like her ideas and the sources of her inspiration but I'm not blown away by her writing.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a military wife on the island of Okinawa, right after it became under the rule of the Japanese in the early 1970’s. I have always been fascinated with the Oriental cultures of the area. This book did not disappoint.
I really could not put this book down. The characters were so believable and the story line was intertwined and mysterious. I would recommend this book if you want to be carried away into the Japanese upturned.

[Sharon Lee Monahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Events of China, Japan and communism.

Easy read regarding people involved in the China, Japan community ism wars. Riveting details of people involved through journalism and the webs that are weaved by the communist regime.

[Cristina Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colourful description of occupation era Japan, gripping story

This is an easy book to read, with lots of gripping moments. Only the end feels a little unbelievable.
Enjoyed the descriptions of occupation era Japan.

[Jacqueline Hoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well written book. The first few pages started slow But don’t turn away. Continue on and soon you’ll be gripping on. The emotion is rich and raw, touching to the core of the heart and all wrapped up in a post war japan thriller

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. Once Jun entered the book, it was apparent who the person in the water was. A number of key facts/events telegraph the plot. Then there is the sadness/depression of the
Political situation.

[Eileen Granfors · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book that I wished had been a long book!! There were so many central people to think about and whose lives intertwined. Although the ending was quite successful, I really wanted MORE MORE MORE!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. It was superbly written and the characters, especially Jun, were very well developed. However, it didn’t feel like Japan - that could’ve really bought through book alive.

The end was odd. With Elly and Fergus moving to Hong Kong, what stopped Ted from moving too?

[Toni Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Very interesting novel about prejudice and the upheaval in Japan during the occupation. Moving story about a couple and their interactions with various locals.

[Mrs S Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a gentle book to read.

A story from around late 40’s to early 50’s after the American occupation of post war Japan. A somewhat convoluted tale but quite a gentle book I felt.

[Vanessa Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy and gentle read, the end was unexpected and sudden. There must be a sequel

[BC SIMPSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

Sad for some parts, loved the characters. Great story, but could have been anywhere I did not feel it was very Japanese. Loved the story though!

[Kicki Neely · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting and unusual story set in post war japan. Well written and good characters, I liked reading the book and felt engaged with the characters.

[Helen Keeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas which did not deliver on the early promise of the opening chapter

[Karen Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a well written story about Japan during the time of American occupation. It was informative and I plan to learn more about this period in Japan.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.