Following the surrender of Japan at the end of WW2, the British Commonwealth Occupation Force entered the country with the intention of restoring peace, cleaning up after the atomic blasts, and helping Japan to become a democratic society. The New Zealand contingent was known as J Force.
Mick Mitchell is a volunteer recruit, a young Kiwi lad from a farming background who was unable to sign up for the war but now wants to contribute and do his bit. He finds himself stationed just out of Hiroshima. As part of the transport division, his main job is to drive day volunteers from their homes to where they work in a makeshift hospital. He is a kind-hearted young man and soon endears himself to the locals by making their daily journey as comfortable as possible.
Despite being advised against it, Mick falls in love with a young woman, Emiko, the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Eventually, Emiko escapes her father’s control and runs away from home to marry Mick. They live together on the base until he is sent away to another posting. Emiko discovers she is pregnant while Mick remains separated from her.
Without giving away too much of the story, eventually, their daughter Karina ends up in New Zealand and grows up unaware of her history. But as she grows older, she learns some things that see her setting off to Japan to discover the secrets of her past.
A story of love, of secrets kept and broken, family bonds and loyalty, this is a great read. Each chapter starts with a poignant quote, often a Japanese Proverb. The insights into cultural differences during Mick’s time in Japan, with its tightly held cultural norms and traditions, and twenty years later, when Karina visits Japan to explore her past connections, are very insightful.
Author Trish Devine knows Japan well and has used her own personal experience to craft a great story, very well-researched and poignantly written.
Reviewer: Rachel White
Olympia Publishers