I seem to be in a Historical Fiction phase at the moment. My neighborhood book group selected this book for our discussion this month. The subject matter is about the “comfort” women during the Japanese occupation of Korea. There were over 20,000 women that were captured by the Japanese soldiers to become their sex slaves and is a piece of history that has not been widely publicized.

The history is told through the story about two sisters. In 1943, sixteen years old Hana was a haenyeo (a fisherwoman who dives in the ocean). One day as she comes up from the ocean she sees a Japanese soldier heading toward her younger sister, Emi, who is sitting on the beach and temporarily hidden from the soldier’s view. To protect her sister, Hana diverts the soldier away. Hana is captured, and her horrific life in captivity begins. Emi’s story and the guilt she has felt for sixty years is told in 2011 as she reveals to her children what has happened.

This well-written book is difficult to read and heartbreaking, but I’m glad that I’ve been made aware of that piece of history. The book was obviously well-researched, and it is a good thing that the author has written this book because there are only 44 remaining known women who survived. Their stories may not be around for a lot longer. I probably would have rated the book higher except for a couple of odd things that only pertain to me. The first is that I have fairly recently read Lisa See’s Island of the Sea Women that told the story of the Haenyeo. That is a fascinating piece of history that would have impressed me more if I hadn’t just already read about that. Also, having read recently about the Russian Jewish women who were taken to South America from Russia to be prostitutes was too much on my mind and somewhat similar.

My Rating: 3.5-4 Stars

This is a very good historical fiction novel — very moving and beautifully written. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This book is wonderful and devastating. I had no idea about the "comfort" girls of Korea. Relating their story through the eyes of a young girl named Hana, the reader is exposed to the cruelty and brutality to which they were subjected. In spite of enduring horrific treatment, Hana never loses her determination and persistence in seeking a better life. Bracht provides research and documentation to support her story. This book is a must read for those with an interest in history during this time period. It is a testament to the spirit of all the girls and women who endured this treatment and recovered.

This is the story of 2 Korean sisters. One has been taken by Japanese soldiers to serve as a comfort woman to Japanese soldiers near the front in Manchuria. The other is left to deal with life at home and the guilt she suffers knowing that her sister was taken in order to save her from the same fate. Hana tells her story in the past as it was happening. Emi is telling her story in the present to her children while she searches for any hint as to what may have actually happened to Hana. It is sort of horrifying what happens to women during wars and this just shows one possible experience. This wasn't a part of history that I was aware of, specifically, but it also doesn't surprise me. I thought this was really good.

White Chrysanthemum is the story of two sisters, Hana and Emi, separated by war. Born on the Korean island of Jeju, they are haenyeo, the famously independent women of the sea. In 1943, when Emi was still a child sitting on shore to watch the catch while Hana and their mother dived, Hana noticed some Japanese occupation soldiers walking toward Emi. She swam to shore and showed herself so they would not see Emi, sacrificing herself to save her sister. She was taken away and shipped north to Manchuria as a comfort woman. The Japanese military thought they would be stronger in battle if they slept with a woman before battle, so the military stole women away to service the men.

We see Emi again as she prepares to visit her son and daughter in Seoul. They have left Jeju and her daughter refused to continue the generations of haenyeo to pursue an academic career. She lives a life of self-denial in many ways, continuing to dive, living in a shack. She has shut herself off from pain by refusing to remember, but of course, her memories are always there.

White Chrysanthemumis told as two narratives, Hana’s story in the past and Emi’s story in the present, though we learn what happened to her and her family since that day on the beach. While she is visiting her children, she insists on going to the march to remember the comfort women, including her sister.

The story was inspired by the comfort women monuments that were so thoughtfully designed to remember and to heal. It is heartbreaking. Both Hana and Emi suffered incredible hardships because of war, but more particularly because how governments use women as a way to wage war. Rape and stealing woman is a way of changing the population of a country, a level of war that can amount to ethnic cleansing. This story also highlights how much Jeju, in particular, suffered, not just in the Japanese occupation, but in the Korean War as well, as those fleeing the north moved into the south and oppressed those perceived as too independent or possibly sympathetic to the Communists.



I feel guilty that I did not like White Chrysanthemum more. I liked Emi’s story a lot and admired Hana’s grit and determination. For me, there’s this balance with stories of rape and abuse that is hard to define and achieve. How much abuse and rape is enough to make sure we understand the pain and horror that Hana endured and how much is sick-making. This went to sick-making for me in its detail and relentlessness. Sure, I am only reading about it, it’s not happening to me, but it was still too much for me.

Other people will find the important story, the history and the humanity too important to cavil at too much detail. It is an important story and sheds light on a little mentioned time in history and not just on the comfort women but on the people of Jeju and what happened to them. It is full of drama and well-written. Most people will probably love it.

I received a copy of White Chrysanthemum from the publisher through NetGalley

White Chrysanthemum at G. P. Putnam’s Sons | Penguin Random House
Mary Lynn Bracht author site

★★★

I chose this book out of curiosity for the point of view it would tell WWII from. I have read many books from the European or American perspective, but never one from the perspective of Koreans or Korean women. This book tells the story of two sisters, one who was forced into the role a comfort woman in WWII and of the other in close to modern day South Korea, dealing with the past and struggling to live in the present. Both sisters went through much heartache, but survived. I will say this book was much more than I expected. I knew little of Korea's involvement in WWII and even less about Korea's history with Japan. This opened my eyes to so much and it was difficult to read through. However, Bracht brought these two woman to life in a way that made them real representations of women who struggled. I found myself once I got into it barely able to put it down. I had to know what happened next. I had to hope that these women through all of their trials and tribulations survived. It is a saddening tale, but screams to be told. I don't know if I would willing pick it up again ; I am very glad I did.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ecopy for my Kindle.
My fav. genre is historical fiction, especially about WWII so this one struck my interest. Like many historical fiction books about WWII or any war, the books are not easy to read. But the truth needs to be told; we need to NEVER forget! Of all the topics and countries that were effected or in WWII, I had never read one about Korea. The atrocities that were inflicted on the citizens were hard to read. The most difficult part to read, for me, was about the women who became "kept women" for Japanese soldiers.. The details are horrific but at the same time, these people also need a voice.

What a beautifully, heart wrenching story. I was fascinated about the historical story as well as driven by the depth of characters. I highly recommend this title.

Wow! What a look at history! Great story telling. Heart wrenching what these girls went through. Story flow between past and current was done well. Would recommend this book.

White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht is an engrossing, heartbreaking account of sisters Hana and Emiko. It begins in then-unified Korea during World War II when Hana is captured by the Japanese and forced into sexual slavery as a comfort woman and continues through succeeding wars to the present time when Emiko seeks some kind of closure to their lives. Highly recommended.

A beautiful tale about WWII. It is tragic and powerful at the same time. I enjoyed it.

Yet another unknown history of WWII - sad, but a powerful tale.

I almost quit reading this book several times because it is just so sad and graphic. It is absolutely heartwrenching to read. It is the story of sisters, Hana and Emi. In trying to protect her sister, Hana makes the ultimate sacrifice and is taken away by a Japanese soldier to be forced into prostitution in a brothel. Hana has to fight for her life and her dignity as she suffers through absolute terror at the hands of corrupt soldiers. The book goes back and forth between Hana's story and Emi's story. Emi's story is from her viewpoint as an adult. She has felt guilt her whole life because Hana gave up herself in order to keep Emi safe. This book is not for the faint of heart or squeamish. It goes into great detail about the terrible things Hana had to experience. Sadly, Hana's story is based on true events that happened during war time. I can't even imagine what these women went through. It must have been so difficult for the author to write this through the eyes of the suffering. This story is for all the Hanas and all the families who were torn apart by these unspeakable acts.

4.5 Stars

Wow! This was definitely an eye opening read. Not only was it very interesting, poignant and moving, it was based on a real tragedy. I had absolutely no idea that "comfort women" had existed. Estimates of over 200,000 women were kidnapped from their homes & families and brought to brothels where they were brutalized, humiliated and made to service soldiers. Sometimes, 15 to 20 men a day. Estimates are many of these women were never seen again.

My heart ached for Hana and Emiko. The atrocities they suffered were severe and totally animal like.

The author did a great job in portraying these women. I enjoyed my time with them, meanwhile, my heart going out to them.

A beautifully written story about a horrible, horrible atrocity.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The history of Korean girls and women who were forced to service Japanese soldiers as comfort women during WWII is tragic and horrifying. Bracht's historical novel tells the story of sisters Hana and Emi, and how their destiny to become haeneyo (Jeju's women divers) is interrupted and family is affected for decades.

Powerfully heartbreaking. I am always so appreciative of authors that bring remarkable stories like this to the forefront. How many stories like Hanna’s exist? ‘The list of women suffering wartime rape is long and will continue to grow unless we include women’s wartime suffering in history books, commemorate the atrocities against them in museums, and remember the women and girls we lost by erecting monuments in their honor, like the Statue of Peace.’ These events can not be covered up... knowledge is power and stories like this need to continue to be written. A must read. 5 stars.

White Chrysanthemum is a heartbreaking tribute to the Korean women who were forced to be "comfort women" during the Japanese occupation. The story is told from the viewpoints of Hana and her younger sister, Emi. Hana and Emi come from a long line of Haenyeos, women who dive to the depths of the sea to support their families. One day while diving, Hana is kidnapped by a Japanese soldier and forced into slavery as a comfort woman. That was the last day Emi ever saw her older sister. This story is a hard one to read because of the subject but beautifully written. Although Hana is a fictional character, I am still amazed at the strength of the women that endured this brutal abuse in real life.

This historical fiction story covered an era of history that I did not know much about. The writing was compelling, I felt sympathetic for the two leading characters. Overall I enjoyed this novel.

I do not know where to start…this book is amazing!

Hana is a female diver of the sea. One day when she is coming up from a dive, she notices Japanese soldiers heading for her little sister who is on the beach. Hana does everything in her power to save her sister, Emi. And she does, but at the cost of her freedom. Hana is captured and forced to become a “comfort girl” for the Japanese army.

First off, let’s touch base with what is a “comfort girl”. As a blogger we are told not to quote a book unless we compare to the final copy. I have not compared this but I am quoting this anyway. This is a comfort girl “Ten hours a day, six days a week, she services soldiers. She is raped by 20 men a day”. Hana was only 16!

This is a tragic, heart wrenching story. It really takes you through an emotional roller coaster from the very first chapter. I was captivated all the way till the end. The novel is told by Hana during the occupation in the 1940s and also by Emi during present day. This is a tale of love and tragedy shared by two sisters. This is NOT TO BE MISSED! Read this TODAY!

I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.

White Chrysanthemum is absolute heart-breaking historical fiction that opened my eyes to history that I didn't know existed. Mary Lynn Bracht's writing is fantastic on a topic that is hard to read about. White Chrysanthemum reminds me of Lisa See's Shanghai Girls, beautifully written on a topic that is haunting.

The story is set during the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II. Hana has grown up as the protecter of her younger sister. When Emi was born Hana's mother told her she must always protect Emi at all costs. Hana and her mother are haenyeo, which means they are women who dive in the ocean to catch fish, shellfish, etc. to eat and sell to provide for their families. Being a haenyeo is passed down from generation to generation by mothers and is a very coveted profession. Being a haenyeo is the only way a woman can provide for her family in Korea at that time and allows them not to be reliant on their husbands.

"We dive in the sea like our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers have for hundreds of years. This gift is our pride, for we answer to no one, not our fathers, our husbands, our older brothers, even the Japanese soldiers during the war. We catch our own food, make our own money, and survive with the harvest given to us from the sea. We live in harmony with this world."

Hana has been taught to never trust a soldier. While diving one afternoon Hana sees a soldier on the shore walking toward where Emi is playing. Hana knows that if the soldier sees Emi he will take her. Hana swims to shore and gives herself up so the soldier won't see Emi and she will be protected. Hana is drug off the beach and sent away.

Hana is put on a boat and then a train with hundreds of other girls and women that have been captured. Soon Hana learns her fate is to be a comfort girl for the Japanese soldiers. Hana is forced into prostitution at a brothel and is raped repeatedly. It is absolutely one of the hardest books I've ever read, but I'm glad my eyes are open to this portion of history.

The soldier that took Hana off the beach returns to torment her night after night until he finally decides that he will take her and leave. Just when I thought Hana's fate couldn't get worse it does She finds herself running from the soldier just to be captured again. This time she is drug off to Mongolia to live with friends the soldier has made until he can get enough money from them to go to Manchuria.

In between chapters about Hana during World War II are chapters about Emi. We learn what happened to her after Hana is taken all they way through her life at current times. Emi returns year after year to the protests at the Japanese embassy for them to recognize the horrific acts they committed on women during World War II. Emi is constantly in search of her sister. She thinks maybe a laugh or a gesture would help her recognize Hana after all these years.

"Her heart quickened again as she neared a mass of people crowded around a table. It was covered in white chrysanthemums, a symbol of mourning. Burial flowers were amassed before her as hundreds of visitors offered them to the long-lost dead."

During all these years Emi has never told her two children about what went on during World War II or after that during the Korean War. Emi must face the painful old memories and help her children to understand who she is and the sister she is haunted by.

White Chrysanthemum is historical fiction at its finest. I can't imagine how many hours Mary Lynn Bracht spent researching this story so she could masterfully lay out a tale that needs to be heard no matter how painful it is to read.

In the author's notes Mary Lynn Bracht explains her trip to Seoul in March 2016 to see the Statue of Peace in person: "It was a sort of pilgrimage for me to journey halfway across the world to set my eyes on the symbol representing, for me, wartime rape of not only Korean women and girls, but of all women and girls the world over: Uganda, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Myanmar, Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and more. The list of women suffering wartime rape is long and will continue to grow unless we include women's wartime suffering in history books, commemorate the atrocities against them in museums, and remember the women and girls we lost by erecting monuments in their honor, like the Statue of Peace."