Small mercies: A boy after war

by Ernest Hillen

Small A boy after war

206 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Sid Klooster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very descriptive historical coming of age memoir about a boy's life after WW2. Hillen, a survivor of the Japanese war camps in The Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), describes how his life was continually transformed. He went from a peaceful childhood in a Dutch colony in Indonesia to a prisoner of war in a Japanese POW camp to an unwanted citizen in his own country as there is a war of independence in Indonesia. Off temporarily to Canada and back to Indonesia.
The book goes into great details of how it was like for Hillen; the obstacles, Joy's and sorrows.

[Diane B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hillen's account of returning to Canada after surviving years in WW2 interned by the Japanese in Java is almost surreal. After the horrible conditions in the camps, he and his family faced new beginnings.

The Way of the Boy was more powerful in many ways as it told of the terrible conditions faced by so many. Children can be so resilient, but it wasn't so easy for many who returning home from the war.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well written memoir encompassing the two years following World War 2. Ernie Hillen comes of age in the wake of his experience in a Japanese prison camp (I did not read that earlier book). He travels with his mother and older brother to Canada for a new and vastly different life. Keeping in mind that the story is true, I certainly respect this young man for his adaptability in new situations. And I respect the writing itself as it is filled with memories and anecdotes told in great detail. Very readable.