91 pages 3 hours read

Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is a historical novel that alternates between 1942 and 1986, following Henry Lee, a Chinese American man. In 1942, 12-year-old Henry develops a close bond with Keiko Okabe, a Japanese American girl, amidst wartime prejudice and internment. By 1986, recently widowed Henry embarks on a journey to reconnect with his past, assisted by his son.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet receives praise for its evocative depiction of a Japanese internment during WWII and the touching interracial friendship at its core. Critics commend Ford's nostalgic and atmospheric prose. However, some find the plot predictable and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's a heartfelt but occasionally simplistic narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet?

A reader who would enjoy Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is likely a fan of historical fiction with rich, emotional narratives. Those who appreciated The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or Pachinko by Min Jin Lee would find this novel compelling due to its exploration of cultural heritage, forbidden love, and historical events.

RecommendedReading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

850L

Book Details

Period

WWII / World War II

Genre

Historical Fiction

Psychological Fiction

Romance

Themes

Relationships: Fathers

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Values/Ideas: Music

Topics

Military / War

History: World