Book Review: Beside a Burning Sea by John Shors
Posted By CarrieK on November 24, 2009
Title: Beside a Burning Sea
Author: John Shors
Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: New American Library
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Print copy from my own library
First line: Ten minutes before a torpedo sliced through the sea and slammed into steel, most everything was normal aboard the U.S. hospital ship Benevolence.
Beside a Burning Sea
Beside a Burning Sea is character-based historical fiction, which I love. I love sweeping epics, too, but I love the way this book takes a time in history – World War II – and distills it down to the experiences of nine people. The book takes place over the course of only eighteen days, and yet aptly tackles topics like marriage, parenting, prejudice, child abuse, violence, responsibility, and fear.
Though there are nine characters, the book focuses on three main relationships: the marital relationship between Joshua and Isabelle, the growing relationship between Annie and Akira, and the friendship between Big Jake and Ratu. I loved all three relationships, but especially loved the way Annie and Akira discovered each other, and the thread of poetry that ran through their storyline. Each chapter begins with a haiku from Akira’s perspective, and they are all beautiful and profound.
Shors’ strength obviously lies in writing character and in understanding people, no matter their heritage or background. I loved so many of these characters – and hated Roger, who was a truly chilling villain. I am so glad that he has other books already published – he is definitely an author I will seek out.
Oh, this sounds fabulous! You know I love anything about WWII. However, the next War Through the Generations Challenge is going to be about Vietnam, so I’m going to have to switch gears. (BTW, if you have any great books to recommend for that time period, let me know!) I will want to read this one.
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Sandy – A must-read book about the Vietnam war is The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. Amazing book.
I acn’t wait to read this one!!
Steph – it’s a great read!
I call this instant gratification: I read your review, lusted for this book, went to Paperback Swap, and they had a copy available. It’s now on its way to me!
Cathy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday
Cathy – how cool is that?
this book is still on my shelf. I will have to get reading now before the end of the WWII challenge hits me in the butt!
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Serena – it’s funny, but your comment got sent to moderation because you said “butt”!
My father was on a hospital ship in the South Pacific during WWII after he was injured in New Guinea. I’d be interested to read the book and then ask him some questions to see if there is any relevance.
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Kathleen – only the very beginning of the book takes place on the hospital ship – the first few pages, before the torpedo hits. It doesn’t go into a lot of the workings of the hospital ship itself, so don’t know how that would resonate with your dad.
This book sounds fabulous! I love character driven historical novels.
Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday
Kathy – me, too.
The summary reminded me a bit of the show Lost.
This does sound like a great, great book. No one dies, right?
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Tasha – I make no promises.
Uh-oh…
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This really does sound like a great book. I love books set during WWII, not to mention character driven books. I am adding this one to my wish list right now. Thanks for your great review, Carrie.
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Wendy – you’re welcome – I hope you like it as much as I did.
This definitely sounds like a very interesting book. I too love historical fiction especially when it is character driven. All three relationships sound extremely interesting. Great review and I’m glad that you enjoyed the book.
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Jennifer – thanks! And thanks for stopping by.
[...] couple of weeks ago, I reviewed John Shors’ book Beside a Burning Sea (my review), which I loved. Mr. Shors contacted me after that review, and offered to send me a signed copy of [...]
[...] reading Beside a Burning Sea, I knew that I would be seeking out more of John Shors’ work. When he offered to send me a [...]
[...] A Burning Sea by John Shors was reviewed by Carrie at Books and Movies who wrote: ‘Shors’ strength obviously lies in writing character and in understanding [...]
I don’t think John let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Remember this 1942.
Japanese soldier on a US hospital ship?
A coloured man in the US Navy?
A stowawayon a US ship?
A hidden radio? Radios in those day were very big.
A captain and wife on the same ship?
An undected traitor who spoke Japanese?
It is a great story but unfortunately it (even though fiction) gives a distorted view of the war in 1942.