Twins Hanako (Hana) and Keiko (Kei) grew up in Hawaii, they were so close they even shared the same nickname: Koko. Their mother Lillie was haunted by the past, she was Japanese American, raised by an American family as she was a foundling. During WW2, Lillie, her husband, and his parents were placed in an internment camp. In the camp Lillie’s son is born, and her mother in law died. Lillie and the remaining family are deported to Japan – Lillie speaks very little Japanese and her story, in flashbacks, is heartbreaking.
Hana and Kei grow apart and Hana moves to New York while Kei remains in Hawaii. After their mother passes away, Kei comes to New York to visit Hana. During this visit Kei is attacked and remains in a coma while Hana revisits their past.
I absolutely loved Lillie’s backstory, it was well written and so incredibly sad. Hana and Kei’s story felt a little flat, and I would have loved it if they could have talked out their differences but alas, it wasn’t to be. Because of Lillie’s story I’ve given this four stars.
Read for the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2024.
Prompt 14: A book recommended by a bookseller.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
