Powerful

Sisters Under The Rising Sun by Heather Morris is a powerful true story of survival in the Far East during World War II.

The novel starts in 1942 as the Japanese are invading Singapore. The fear and terror at the docks has been captured by the author. Some, make it home. However, the main characters are captured and spend the war in several Japanese P.O.W. camps. This is their story.

The women show much bravery and resilience. They develop a camaraderie, determined to keep going. Comfort is found in the setting up of an orchestra – which is just the women’s voices. They raise morale giving concerts which even the Japanese guards enjoy.

For the women, their war is one of death and disease in the tropical heat, as well as fear, starvation and cruelty. We witness man’s inhumanity to man.

Heather Morris has created a heartbreaking, and also inspiring, novel. We hear much about the war in Europe but less about the war in the Far East. This book offers a glimpse into a very different war.

I liked the inclusion of photographs at the end of the book, enabling the reader to put faces to names.

The war was brutal but the women were hope-filled and had strength of character. This book needs to be read in memory of those who perished and of those who survived.

I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON