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The Piano Teacher

Janice Y.K. Lee

Start date: March 22, 2012

Finish date: March 25, 2012

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Jul 21, 2010 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: yearof2010books, _memoir

What a tragically beautiful dual-time period novel. It is important reading this novel to take it in pieces and to absorb every detail. I would almost compare such careful reading as to Yann Martel in his books Life of Pi or Beatrice and Virgil. This novel follows the pre/present/post effects of Hong Kong as a British empire during World War II and the Japanese invasion. As another reviewer commented below, it is difficult to find historical fiction on events during the war other than the Holoca What a tragically beautiful dual-time period novel. It is important reading this novel to take it in pieces and to absorb every detail. I would almost compare such careful reading as to Yann Martel in his books Life of Pi or Beatrice and Virgil. This novel follows the pre/present/post effects of Hong Kong as a British empire during World War II and the Japanese invasion. As another reviewer commented below, it is difficult to find historical fiction on events during the war other than the Holocaust. Another WWII historical fiction that focuses on France's involvement is Sarah's Key, which I highly recommend.

Please take your time to carefully read this book. I had a difficult time concentrating on the first 2/3 of the book as it is cleanly split between first 1953ish and then back to 1943ish. I didn't understand the break. Finally about page 200 in Book three, the two stories begin to interweave...almost seamlessly where you must have the previous knowledge to place what time period your reading about. Now I find it ingenious how Janice Y. K. Lee non-linearly placed the storyline.

Historically during WWII, I never thought about Hong Kong, it's relationship to Britain, China, and Japan. I was horrified by the treatment of everyone, Chinese included, after Japanese invasion. Even the British/American/"foreigner" camp was a new concept for me to read about. I thought it was incredible how Will was able to "help" his fellow campmates, while at the same time given a pass to outside. Then he was forced to tell the Japanese general how great the camp was. This was even more ludicrous when he, the Japanese general, was forcing sabotage and violence amid the camp.

My only question for those of you have read this is the true father of Trudy's baby. I have wrestled between three names: Otsubo, Will, and Dominick. I highlight the last simply due to the odd paragraph of Will's sudden memory at the end of the book. If you think you know, would you please comment or send me a message? Thanks...and please read!

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1 like · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2010 Amy Hayes rated it it was ok

Apr 08, 2011 Melissa Laird rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

Apr 23, 2016 Kristin rated it liked it

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