Name: White Chrysanthemum
Rating: 4.2 (10 reviews)
ISBN: 9780525497653

Mary Lynn Bracht

White Chrysanthemum

'Look for your sister after each dive. Never forget. If you see her, you are safe.' Hana and her little sister Emi are part of an island community of haenyo, women who make their living from diving deep into the sea off the southernmost tip of Korea. One day Hana sees a Japanese soldier heading for where Emi is guarding the day’s catch on the beach. Her mother has told her again and again never to be caught alone with one. Terrified for her sister, Hana swims as hard as she can for the shore. So begins the story of two sisters suddenly and violently separated by war. Moving between Hana in 1943 and Emi as an old woman today, White Chrysanthemum takes us into a dark and devastating corner of history — and two women whose love for one another is strong enough to triumph over the evils of war.

a devastating story of two sisters separated during WWII. it had me shaking from sadness and anger; a very difficult read. there is hope, too. if it hadn’t included Emi’s perspective, which felt like a moment to catch my breath, i don’t think i could have finished it. 

marta

Suyash Goylit

The mistakes of the past should never be forgotten and addressed appropriately to ensure that they are never repeated.
White Chrysanthemum is a moving story of an aspect of world war 2 that, unfortunately, isn't given its due attention. Sadly, the plight of 'comfort women' wasn't known for far too long. Even after the issue was brought into the public's eye, it wasn't handled well and somehow still not given the resolution it deserves. The writer did a fantastic job of encapsulating the horrendous atrocities faced by these Halmoni (Grandmothers, in Korean) and told a marvelous tale through lovable characters.
More people need to know about their stories, so these tortured souls are never forgotten.

Blayke 

Après une lecture aussi poignante, dans laquelle nous suivons en 1940, Hana, la soeur aînée devenue prostituée aux services des soldats japonais par la force des choses, pour protéger sa petite soeur Emi, que nous retrouvons en 2011, émettre un avis critique, une analyse littéraire, me semblerait abjecte. 

Les femmes sont des victimes de guerre, dont nous ne parlons pas assez, que nous ne reconnaissons pas assez. 
Le récit d'Hana et d'Emi nous rappelle avec une douleur vivifiante que ce combat est éternel, qu'il relève du devoir de mémoire de savoir reconnaitre et s'incliner devant celles qui ont souffert.

White Chrysanthemum

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