Scan barcode
A review by booksbytheglass
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
what a beautifully written, heart-wrenching debut novel!! I found myself in disbelief that this was vanessa chan’s first novel because the writing style was so prose-like it had me enraptured!!
centered around a malaysian family during the japanese occupation in WWII, this novel is not for the faint of heart. it was full of grief, sadness, deception, and terror from start to finish - and I have to say that the ride was so heartbreaking I can’t wait to go through it all over again (the sign of a good book, me thinks) 😭
the characterization definitely could have been a bit deeper on some of the characters, as there’s 5 different POVs and it’s hard when you just start to connect with a character before it shifts to another. however, each POV was so different yet still traumatic from one another - I just wanted so much more!!
what I love most about historical fiction is learning about eras and time periods that I embarrassingly have a lack of knowledge of - and I am quite embarrassed to say that I knew next to nothing about malaysia during WWII. and now, especially after reading the extensive author’s note, I can’t believe this isn’t included in most education (although these days, I shouldn’t be surprised about the lack of historical education) 🙃
all of this to say that I cannot believe this is a debut novel, and I’m anxiously awaiting vanessa’s next novel!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: south africa pinotage
centered around a malaysian family during the japanese occupation in WWII, this novel is not for the faint of heart. it was full of grief, sadness, deception, and terror from start to finish - and I have to say that the ride was so heartbreaking I can’t wait to go through it all over again (the sign of a good book, me thinks) 😭
the characterization definitely could have been a bit deeper on some of the characters, as there’s 5 different POVs and it’s hard when you just start to connect with a character before it shifts to another. however, each POV was so different yet still traumatic from one another - I just wanted so much more!!
what I love most about historical fiction is learning about eras and time periods that I embarrassingly have a lack of knowledge of - and I am quite embarrassed to say that I knew next to nothing about malaysia during WWII. and now, especially after reading the extensive author’s note, I can’t believe this isn’t included in most education (although these days, I shouldn’t be surprised about the lack of historical education) 🙃
all of this to say that I cannot believe this is a debut novel, and I’m anxiously awaiting vanessa’s next novel!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: south africa pinotage