Based on true events, real figures and fictional characters the authors brought to life events that happened after the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. It tells the stories of ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations. How they showed bravery, courage and sacrifice.
The story:
Sam Carlson and Sarah Haber are the main players.
After the attack Sam was enlisted and sent to the Philippines where he soon became one of many prisoners brutalized in the POW camps. Even with the harsh conditions Sam managed to survive the Bataan Death March. As the war progressed, along with 1800 starved and weakened prisoners Sam was herded into the cargo hold of the Arisan Maru freighter shipped to who knows where and left to their demise. On October 24,1944, the ship was torpedoes by an American submarine and sank, onboard was 1781 POW …Sam survived.
While in the States Sarah was recruited to Washington where her maths skills were highly sought in code breaking.
My thoughts:
The story shows the barbaric treatment of POWs in details. The style and words are so dramatic and visual I thought I was at a movie theater full blown picture and sounds:
“AH-OOG-Ah” “Dive, dive” my preferred chapters were when the submarine was put into action. So well done.
Of course, the sinking of the Arisan Maru and those prisoners pinned in, trying not to drown and escape. Bullets cutting them down and the swords slashing them was chilling. Those who escaped jumped in the sea only to die later on…..Chilling is not the word.
With lots of courage and determination Sam managed to reach China and the Americans and eventually returned home.
Wonderfully writing and vividly detailed this novel inspired by true events is exceptionally well researched and well though out.
A big kudo to the authors for their excellent work and to Lake Union Publishing for the privilege of receiving an ARC.
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