An historical novel set in Japan and France, with music and restoration as its themes.
Fractured Soul
Expected publication: April 4th, 2023 by HarperVia
My review:
An anti-war/anti-imperialism novel set in Japan before and during WWII and in France post war. I was overwhelmed by the sorrow of the 11-year-old Rei as he witnessed/heard his father Yu being arrested at a private concert recital and his father's treasured violin smashed by the boots of a Japanese corporal.
The story is moving and yet sentimental; it links classical music, its performance on stringed instruments, and the loss Rei feels when his father disappeared after the arrest. I thought it fitting that Rei becomes a maker/restorer of quality violins in his own shop in France, where he was raised by a French couple who were friends with his missing father Yu.
Rei spends his life trying to overcome the fractured soul he had become from memories of the violence to his father and to Yu's beloved violin. How Rei heals is a story that is eventually soothing, as he connects with others from his past, piecing together what had happened, in an effort to heal all those who shared his distress.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this amazing historical novel of music, love, loss and restoration.
Currently reading:
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
About: Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady, a widow who lives above her forgotten tea shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. (publisher)
My review: I really enjoyed the personality of the quirky yet forceful main character, Vera, the teashop owner. I loved how she decides to solve the murder mystery herself and how she goes about drawing possible suspects to her teashop.
That the people she helps will later help her in turn is an excellent plot feature. There were a few personality inconsistencies with Vera, however, in how she takes care of her own shop versus how she takes care of other people and their homes.Finished reading:
The Love Wager
The trope of being a fake couple and sleeping in the same hotel room to fool friends and family works in this novel for some reason, and I didn't mind the slow build up of the attraction between the two friends/lovers. The book was well written and the plot is a rom com to the nth degree
Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday |
Such a good variety of book. I'll be reading The Love Wager soon too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it.
DeleteThese look nice. I like the second one- a dead man in the middle of her tea shop, you don't see that every day. :)
ReplyDeleteUnusual characters too
DeleteFractured Soul sounds so.....heartbreaking. And then you switch to a dead guy in an old lady's tea shop! I like that the amateur is a little old lady.....there should be more with older protagonists! :) Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteTerrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
Both very good books.
DeleteI enjoy mixing serious books with lighter ones.
DeleteA mystery comedy? Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers sounds like fun. The cover is good, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm always a sucker for a book like The Lover Wager.
I'd probably like both of these.
I read serious books in between lighter ones.
DeleteBoth sound good. I've been in a rom com mood lately so The Love Wager might be something I would like. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to read.
DeleteAll these books sound good! I'm especially intrigued by Vera Wong and the mystery in her tea shop.
ReplyDeleteIt'sa good one.
DeleteFractured Soul does sound like an emotionally charged read--one that I would really like to try. I am excited about Sutanto's new book and hope to read The Love Wager. I am glad you liked that one too. Have a great week and enjoy your reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks for liking all my books this week.
DeleteThese all look interesting though very different but Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers really calss to me. I love the comedy and Vera sounds like the kind of character I really enjoy. I hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good book. Hope you get to read it.
DeleteOoo adding Vera Wong to my list!!
ReplyDeleteVera Wong's Unsolicited Advice looks like a lot of fun. And I think I might have to read The Love Wager, too. I do like that fake dating trope when it's done well.
ReplyDeleteBoth are pretty good.
DeleteVera Wong looks hilarious and I think I would like it. I have read most of the author's other books and liked them, thanks for bringing this one to my attention!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm a Durango fan too
DeleteSutanto I mean
DeleteI love the Japanese authors & novels you read. I find I'm never disappointed once I start books by Japanese authors. they're usually always so good.
ReplyDelete