Joint Discussion: White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bacht

Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "White Chrysanthemum" by Mary Lynn Bracht. Blodeudd is in red and I am in blue.  

Author: Mary Lynn Bracht
Title: White Chrysanthemum
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Being Published: Jan 30, 2018 
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Netgalley)

In the spirit of Lilac Girls, the heartbreaking history of Korea is brought to life in this deeply moving and redemptive debut that follows two sisters separated by World War II.

Korea, 1943. Hana has lived her entire life under Japanese occupation. As a haenyeo, a female diver of the sea, she enjoys an independence that few other Koreans can still claim. Until the day Hana saves her younger sister from a Japanese soldier and is herself captured and transported to Manchuria. There she is forced to become a “comfort woman” in a Japanese military brothel. But haenyeo are women of power and strength. She will find her way home.

South Korea, 2011. Emi has spent more than sixty years trying to forget the sacrifice her sister made, but she must confront the past to discover peace. Seeing the healing of her children and her country, can Emi move beyond the legacy of war to find forgiveness?

Ok, so let us begin.

Okay!

At least we picked a book we can discuss, even if it had faults. I don't even know where to start. Maybe with the Dual POV. Which sucked sooooooooo much. It did not work at all. It ruined parts of the book and made the good parts not as good and took away attention from Hana’s story. It made it not as...oh what to say. It should have been sadder, and now it was not.

‘

The two POVs did clash. I felt it took away from the mystery. Either Hanna is dead or just never came back home for whatever reason. It took away from Hanna’s story the most. I didn’t mind Emi’s POV. But maybe save it for the end. Put it in two chapters or something. IDK. 

 Yes! A prologue and an epilogue. And in between that is Hana’s story. Her full story. Now we got ripped away and I honestly think we did not see as much as we should have. Her time in Manchuria was really short and we never even met that many other women. I want my heart to bleed. Yes there were horrible things, but then came an Emi POV and things moved on. I feel horrible saying it, but more horrible things. Awful things happened and it should have talked about. Instead we barely see anything before she gets “rescued”. All because half the book is about Emi in 2011 going to demonstrations.

Agreed. The 2011 POV made the horrible things in the 40’s feel less horrible because you know it will end. Those who know the horrors fight for their justice. Yes, I was horrified at what was happening the Hanna and the women around her, but I knew it was going to be okay because the war does end and people fight for their justice and demand Japan apologies in some way. 

I did not think about it in that way, but yes that makes sense. I mean we all know the war ended, but when I am engrossed in a book I do not know. I only know the moment. I do not know what will happen. Now I knew Emi had looked for her sister all her life. And that they wanted Japan to be sorry. But I do not want to know that! I want to be there in the moment. I want to cry for the little girls. Feel anger. Feel anything. I do not want a note at the end about how rape happens in every war blah blah blah. Make me feel instead.

Honestly, I felt bad for Hanna and I was horrified at how one human can treat another. However, I did not cry like I wanted to. I wanted to hurry up and read and see if Hanna makes it. I wanted to cheer for every small victory she would get and feel her pain when she was being hurt. I didn’t though. I already knew she was either dead or could never come home for whatever reason. 

Yes, dead or too broken to come home. But how I wanted to cry, but did not. I felt this book could have been so much better if Hana’s story had been in focus. I know I would have cried then. But now it was more like the author tried to spare us the details and the hurt. Do not spare us. Make us cry instead. [BEGINNING OF SPOILER]Also….did she die? I honestly do not know with that ending. Should be put it in a spoiler cos wtf, I do not know.

LOL I was going to ask you. Ummm...from what I got she lived, but she never came home and prolly died of old age. Someone made a statue of her? I was confused because it seemed like Emi saw her and was talking to her. But then she was young and not real. My guess is that Hanna DID live with that guy who saved her and she had a nice HEA while Emi was in a world full of guilt and had a shitty hubbie. WHICH is not nice. Not nice at all to do to your family. I get being too broken to come home...but for real...write or something, “HEY YA’LL I AM SAFE. DON’T COME FIND ME AND WASTE YEARS OF YOUR LIFE DOING IT! HOLLA!” Just...rude of her honestly. 

Damn it, I hate endings like this. I came to the end and was all what? My theory is that is drowned herself. She did go into the water and was not heard from again. The pic of her was found by those girls she spoke too as Mori dropped it and therefore a statue was made that Emi saw. But sure if she did survive what a shitty thing to do. I get that one does not speak about rape, but come on! Think of Emi! At least send a letter every 5 years or something. Thinking that ok so mum and dad will probably burn these, but maybe they will die one day and THEN Emi will read it and know. DO not waste time out there in the middle of nowhere. So...she drowned, that is what I came to see. But I do not know and I hate it.

And yes Emis life was shit too.

I had that theory too. [END OF SPOILER] I honestly really don’t know. It bugs me that there really was no 100% clear answer. I was hoping that Emi had a good life from Hanna’s sacrifice...but nope. Crappy red-hating man who worked for the government to get rid of commies or anyone who sympathized with them. Emi lived with such guilt, because let’s be real...the mom blamed Emi for sure. That mom LOVED Hanna. The Dad was just sad and whatnot, but the mom SO SO blamed Emi. 

And then at the end when Emi was old and died too from old age. Seriously, I get that people die, but I wanted someone to be happy!

This did not end happy. It ended oddly and I am still scratching my head on what really happened. Sad and confused was what I felt when I was done reading. 

Not a good feeling and that is why it just got an okay grade from me :(

Yeeep same here. But! I am in awe of the character that first “saves” Hanna. That soldier...I don’t understand him. I feel like he was the best character and I want to know more about that baddie. Like if he didn’t rape her and beat her when she tried to escape him...I think I could’ve honestly liked him. LOL I felt a hair bad for him. I think he was insane after what the Americans did to his family. 

Omg. Yes! He was the best. Ok so I wanted to stab him with a rusty spoon since he raped and beat her. But he was the most interesting character. And I felt it was so brushed over. My family was died in a prison camp in the US. And I clearly went insane and think you are a mermaid made for me. BUT Japan is baaaad. That is all I learned from this book. Japan is evil. SO very evil.

Yesss. I wanted him to be a good guy. Apologize for the first rape and say that maybe he was forced or something. Save her and they live HEA. That was what I wanted, but then he raped her more and more after he found her at that brothel. I don’t know. But I was intrigued about that insane character. I wanted ONE glimmer of hope for Japan. Showing that not every man there is a rapist and killer. This book really did make Japan look evil and should burn. I wanted one person to be like, “HEY! WE ARE NOT ALL BAD!” Everyone is guilty during war for horrible things. Look at the US, they pretty much killed that guy’s family in the detention centers. 

.Yup, all I learned is that everyone are rapists. Except for that poor Geisha. Put in at least one good person, ok so there was the Geisha, but one good man then. One man that looks away. Just one guy. Come on. And I wish she had not made Morimoto so creepy, make him insane, and better because I sadly wanted to like him too. He was interesting. 

Ooo I forgot all about that Geisha. She was good, but she didn’t really leave any huge impression on me. I wanted one man in the army to look away or show some sort of kindness. Giving that little girl a pass and not taking her to whoever to rape her. Take one of the older girls. Just something. Yes, I get the author wanted to drive home the fact that these men did horrible things to women because they could. They did. Let’s not sugarcoat it….but there HAD to be one person with a heart. Just one. At first, I thought Morimoto would be. He seemed like he didn’t want to rape her at first. He tried to be gentle. I had hope for him, but then next we see him...he’s a creepy, insane person who “loves” Hana. 

Oh yes, and he claims he loves her but then leaves her in a brothel to be raped daily. Sure, that works with your honor. It so does not. I am starting to feel the author hates the Japanese and shows it here. Maybe some deeprooted hate. Cos I did read this book set in Poland recently and a Nazi gave freaking potatoes to Jewish kids. See, there can be decent people on both sides. Everything is not black and white. There is a lot of gray.

Yesss I agree. She wanted us to hate them to evoke more emotion and make us angry. However, showing that one glimmer of kindness DOES make us hate the bad ones even more. At least...that is what happens to me when I see that. It makes me angry because why can’t they be like that guy? But yes, she did seem to not care for the Japanese…

I am not going to analyze too much, and maybe she did not mean it like that. But I felt like that. Like she wrote it like that and who cares if Japan got bombed. They are evil anyway. I really got the worst caricature pics in my head how they are all monsters. And like you say, if there is one guy looking the other way then yes I would hate the bad ones even more. Now I just felt ill at ease to be honest.

But yeah...I really feel like this had great potential and it was not as good as I thought it was going to be. I did enjoy it for what it was. I enjoyed watching the characters go through their lives. However, it did not impact me as much as it did other readers. I read other reviews and it makes me sad that I didn’t enjoy AS much as they did. 

Same, everyone was loving it and then I felt empty at the end. Yes I enjoyed it, but then I started to analyze and felt letdown. But at least we had lots to discuss!!! That was great. Since some books just leave us meh and nothing to even say. So wohoo, for a great book to discuss.

Lots to talk about. This was good. Just needed an edit. Move the POV or change it. I think that was the biggest issue for me honestly. 

Definitely,  the POv was my biggest issue too. Dual POvs are hard and here it failed.

Agreed, agreed. Super bummer. This would make a good movie I think. The duo POV would work better there. 

Eh, less Emi please or more Emi throughout her life. Present day could have been shorter.

So...finished?

Mmmmm….I think that is all I got. LOL

Good discussion then! I am happy. I might not have loved the book, but that does not matter when there is lots to discuss. So it is your turn next, choose wisely ;)

Wahhhh! I always get scared when it is my turn! My last one was a super flop. 

The end?

The end

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Movie Review: The Interview (2015)

Length: 1 hr & 52 mins
Released: 2015
Genre: Comedy & Action
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:
Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapoport run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight." When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un. 




TRAILER:

REVIEW:

This is totally a controversial movie and I've wanted to see this since I heard of it. Why? Well, I love Rogan and Franco. They are hilarious. Also, I wanted to see this movie because it is super controversial and Kim Jong-un is a crazy man who is super offended by this movie bc he sees it as a threat to his life or whatever. Dude. Get over yourself. It's a movie. Yes, I get how it can be offensive; I would not like a movie about me maybe being assassinated, but its fiction by comedians. It's so silly that they cut it from theaters bc the guy was upset. How many WWII movies are out there that are about killing Hitler? I found this quote from another review, "[The Interview] is blown out of proportion and the controversy surrounding it makes the movie bigger than what it is. This is a silly comedy..." 

And that was what it was....a COMEDY! What do you guys expect? 

It was HILARIOUS! Best movie of the year? Hell no, but funny as hell. Honestly, Aaron and Dave remind me of Boyfriend and his friend if they were TV show people.

The ending? I liked it, but there was one part I thought was silly/cheesy. A good way too go, but meh. Honestly, though, the twist was great and I loved it. ^.^ 

Now, is this film for everyone? No. It's for people who actually have a sense of humor. Is it the best film ever. No, but damn was it funny. Many of the jokes were R rated, so I would not let your young kids watch this. Some of it was silly and over-the-top, but I adored it. The ending had part I didn't like, but the twist was awesome. I shall stamp this with 3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Dave (even tho he was an idiot), Aaron, Sook, and Kim (haha, I just loved how they portrayed him)

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Agent Lacey 

Re-watch?: I already watched it twice...so yes. 

Book Review: The Dance of Spirits by Catherine Aerie

Author: Catherine Aerie
Title: The Dance of the Spirits
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, and Drama
Pages: ebook
First Published: September, 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

"Spring 1951: it is the fiery zenith of the Korean War, a war that the youthful US Army lieutenant Wesley Palm and his men thought that they had won... until the Chinese swept across the Yalu River. Traveling with the million-man army bent on driving back the march of "American imperialism" is Jasmine Young, a Chinese surgeon who has volunteered herself into the war for unspoken, grave reasons. Through a chronicle of merciless battles, freezing winters, and the brutality and hypocrisy of human nature, the two will find themselves weaving through the twists and turns of fate and destiny. Though their love is forbidden, their passion and pursuit of liberty cannot be quenched."

Another dark novel on my hands, but it was good. Jasmine and Wes are in the middle of a bloody war. Wes is an American who is fighting, while Jasmine is a Chinese doctor trying to save lives at the same time as trying to safe herself and try to be the perfect "communist", but her mid-set is from the old world.

So sad, so dark. War is such a nasty thing and the author does a wonderful job bringing it to life. However, it's not over-the-top. The ending was sooooooooooo sad with a sparkle of hope. I can't say what happened, but it was good, but I didn't like it. I wish that it wasn't so quick, I wish it was longer. But it was a good way to end it. I admit, I had to re-read it a couple times, because I didn't believe it happened! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Anyways....I also wish that Wes had more spotlight and got to tell his background too, because I wanted to know more about him. Maybe a short story is in the works? *hint hint* I liked Wes, but I didn't get to connect with him like I did with Jasmine. I liked Jasmine and I felt so bad for her. Yes, she had a good life and it was blown up due to the Communists taking over the government, but I am proud of her, because she managed to adjust and survive. She has "thinking issues" (lol) and she gets in trouble a lot with her commanders for it, but she has adjusted well for being a rich girl. 

I can't say much else without giving up some major spoilers, but I simply couldn't put this down, because I wanted to know what happened next.

In the end, this was a good war and romance novel. Sometimes the war outshined the love story, but it felt realistic and the author did a good job showing this. I liked Jasmine and I wanted to know more about Wes. Like where he is from and what he did before the war. I felt disconnected with him, so I didn't really care about his POV. Other then that, it was a good book! If you like war and a tragic romance, I recommend this for you. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Jasmine, Tin Bo (Until he made me mad at the end....), and Jasmine's mother.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Tin Bo (*shakes my head*) 

Movie Review: World War Z

Length: 1 hr and 55 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure, Horror, and Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13 (but I watched the uncut version and I think that's a R)
Directed By: Marc Forster
Where I Got It: Watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry Lane, who traverses the world in a race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.





TRAILER:

CAST:

Gerry - Brad Pitt

Karin - Mireille Enos

Segen - Daniella Kertesz

Jurgen Warmbrunn - Ludi Boeken

Thierry Umutoni - Fana Mokoena

Andrew Fassbach - Elyes Gabel

Constance - Sterling Jerins

Rachel - Abigail Hargrove

Tomas - Fabrizio Zacharee Guido

REVIEW:

Been wanting to watch this one for a while, but I was totally over zombies for a bit. I'm glad Boyfriend forced me to watch it. It is not like any of your typical zombie movies out there! The zombie don't threaten one country or two, it threatens the entire world! It started in Korea and spread from there. Russia from what they were hinting at got it waaaaaaaay worse. Do zombies fancy snow and the cold? Who knows.

I also loved how the governments made a connection that this creatures ARE zombies. I hate how in some movies that they never really call them zombies or really make that connection. WHY? It always bugs me. So when a movie like this acknowledges what the creature is and labels them for what they are they get a star for that. hahaha. It makes it more realistic, ya know?

Poor Tomas. :/ His parents were big dumb-dumbs and he almost lost his life because of it.

I wish I could say that I didn't like Gerry for the simple fact that he is pretty much a "perfect" character...but Brad Pitt plays him and I do adore him for some reason. But yes, Gerry is a perfect character: tough, strong, family-man, compassionate, smart, lucky, and good-looking. Perhaps you need that to be a UN man. *shrugs* But yes, I did like Gerry kind of even though he was pretty much a "perfect" character. Okay...I didn't like him, but I tolerated him more then I normally do just for the simple fact Brad Pitt played him. 

The ending! OH MY GOODNESS! Even though I pretty much guessed it, but I was so happy with the ending! It was good and I'm mad that they are coming out with a sequel. CAN'T THEY LIVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Hopefully they don't make a muck of it like Boyfriend predicts. We shall see I guess.

In the end, this was really good. A little graphic, but good. The ending was a good one and I wish that they left it at that, but nooooooooooo they are making a sequel. Sighs. Brad Pitt and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job. The visual effects were good and the plot line was solid and entertaining. I feel like a dumb-dumb myself for putting this on the back-burner for so long! I highly recommend this for those that like horror and action movies. This is good and not like the atypical zombie movies out there. Out of five stars, I stamp this one with five stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Tomas, Karin (even though she almost got Gerry killed at one point for something stupid. >___<), and Thierry

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Andrew (idiot) and Tomas' parents (they should have listened to Gerry)

Favorite Quote(s): Andrew - Mother Nature is a serial killer. No one's better. More creative. Like all serial killers, she can't help the urge to want to get caught. But what good are all those brilliant crimes if no one takes the credit? So she leaves crumbs. Now the hard part, while you spent decades in school, is seeing the crumbs for the clues they are. Sometimes the thing you thought was the most brutal aspect of the virus, turns out to be the chink in its armor. And she loves disguising her weaknesses as strengths. She's a bitch.

Book Review: The Korean Word for Butterfly

Author: James Zerndt
Title: The Korean Word for Butterfly
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Pages: ebook
First Published: March 27th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion

"Set against the backdrop of the 2002 World Cup and rising anti-American sentiment due to a deadly accident involving two young Korean girls and a U.S. tank, The Korean Word For Butterfly is told from three alternating points-of-view:

Billie, the young wanna-be poet looking for adventure with her boyfriend who soon finds herself questioning her decision to travel so far from the comforts of American life;

Moon, the ex K-pop band manager who now works at the English school struggling to maintain his sobriety in hopes of getting his family back;

And Yun-ji , a secretary at the school whose new feelings of resentment toward Americans may lead her to do something she never would have imagined possible. 

The Korean Word For Butterfly is a story about the choices we make and why we make them. 
It is a story, ultimately, about the power of love and redemption."

Like earlier stated I was given this book by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I've been DYING to read this book since I first hear of it. I read a few reviews a while back and I was tempted to buy it, but I waited for it to go down in price (I'm frugal...I can't help it). When the price went down, I was about to buy it, but I luckily got asked to review this...so yayy!

This was definitely a good book. I was so absorbed, I could hardly put it down. Of course I'm reading this during moving out and etc, so my free-time was scarce. Sighs. Such is life. When I did have the time, I was reading this. 

The characters were all different with different stories, but they were all connected in some way. I hated Billie, but I did like her story. I liked all the stories, but I wanted to punch Billie in the face. Poor Joe...I know he wasn't as supportive at one point (can't say what), because he was stuck in his own head and grief. It isn't right, but everyone mourns/deals with life issues differently. Billie wasn't AT all supportive of him or even remotely understanding. It was an issue that both had to deal with and make peace with. She was so damn selfish and self-absorbed she didn't care how others felt. Near the end she got better, but still...meh.

I loved Moon. 

It was nice to get different POVs (which are nicely stated when the POV switches). It was nice to see how Koreans see Americans and the American soldiers. Honestly...I didn't know that many hate that Americans are there. When my cousin was stationed there last year, he said the the majority liked the fact the Americans are there. Perhaps it was different years ago (this was set in the early 2000s, so it might have been different). I loved learning more about the Korean culture. It was nice and interesting.

I really liked this book. I'm mad at myself for waiting SO long to actually get my hands on it and read it. I recommend people who like people books to read this. It was a nice change up in my reading. I rarely read anything set in Korea, especially more modern books. The characters and the story were great and well written. Out of five stars I shall stamp this with 5 stars. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Moon, Hyo, Joe, and Yun-ji 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Billie

Movie Review: Hwang Jin Yi (2007)

Length: 2 hours and 21 mins
Released: June 6, 2007
Genre: Drama, Historical Film
Rating: G (but...I feel it is more PG)
Directed By: Yoon-Hyun Chang
Where I Got It: watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
Raised as an aristocrat in 16th century Joseon, an era when class status dictated one's destiny, Hwang Jin-yi discovers a shocking secret about her birth. She therefore belongs to the lower class, and has no recourse but to give up her aristocratic status. As a gisaeng, Jin-yi becomes celebrated for her legendary beauty, wit, and talents in singing, dancing and poetry. But although she is surrounded by an entourage of noblemen showering her with gifts and admiration, she lives a solitary life of tragic isolation.


TRAILER:
(Couldn't find one with English subtitles)

CAST:
Hwang Jin Yi - Song Hye-Kyo
Nomi - Yoo Ji-Tae
Hee-Yeol - Ryoo Seung-Ryong
Old Woman - Youn Yuh-Jung
Gwiddongi - Oh Tae-Kyung
Yi-Geum - Jung Yoo-Mi


REVIEW:
Mmmm, for this review I think I shall divide and conquer it.

The Good

• Beautiful costumes. Kuddos to the costume department
• The actors all did pretty well...especially Song Hye-Kyo who played Hwang Jin Yi; so many emotions to portray. Also, I'm glad it took not only the character, but the actress too to go from the sheltered rich girl, to a gisaeng. The transformation they showed on the screen was very good and realistic.
• Nomi was a cutie, an idiot, but a cutie
• I'm glad that Old Woman stuck around, she was great.
• The setting was lovely. 
• Loved the added romance that will never be. It broke my heart, but it was a nice add. 
• The ending was okay, very symbolic. HOWEVER, I have mixed feelings about it (see in later section of review)

The Bad and the Ugly

• Had mixed feelings about the end....I hated a certain event that happened. NOT happy about that. *SPOILER ALERT* They had Nomi sacrifice himself for one of Hwang's servants who was arrested and was being tortured. Yes, it was nice, but they were going to probably let him go anyways. I was so mad that Nomi was executed. *END OF SPOILER* 
• Some spots were really, really boring. Sometimes that happens.
• A couple spots I was rather confused on what was happening. 

Conclusion

This was a nice movie. I liked it. Never watched a Historical Korean film, so it was a nice addition to my movie experiences. The acting was great. I was really into the movie, but ending left me with mixed feelings. I get why they did what they did. I do. I really do. However, it doesn't seem realistic in a way. In the end, though, I did like this film. I would recommend this to those that like Historical movies and ones with some major drama happening. I shall stamp this with....4 stars. It's more like 3.5, but I rounded like normal. Wow...I've been giving out a lot of 4 stars lately. hahaha. 

Would I watch again:
Mmmm, perhaps not. It's one of those one-time watchers, in my opinion. 

Favorite Character(s): Old Woman (funny and snarky and reminded me a little of my Grandma), Hwang Jin Yi (strong woman, who had to make a huge life change due to an uncovered lie), and Nomi (he was dumb and did something bad, but you can't but like the guy). 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Hee-Yeol (meh)