The Book Mistresses​​

​ Does the story work? Is it credible? Jackie Copleton takes an extremely difficult and even obscure though crucial event in history, the nuclear bombing of Nagaski, and builds the plot around it by gracefully introducing the reader into the Japanese culture with a story line that includes themes of parenting, guilt, loss, facing truths, enemies, the search for peace, acceptence and forgiveness. These are themes that enable the reader to connect to the characters and address the subject of nuclear destruction without delving into the political and moral complications of war. Instead, the novel gives us a glimpse that leaves the reader with a desire to know more about this event in  our history.

Strengths: The protagonist and narrator, is given a voice that draws the reader in as though one is sitting down next Ama listening to her tell her story. Copleton's writing is clear and beautifully written without being long-winded. Her descriptions of setting and culture lure us into another time and place.

Flaws: A few, not all,  in our group found the romance part a little melodramatic. In addition, some thought the time leading up to the bombing was  lighter in nature than what would have actually taken place. That being said, the author lived in Nagaski and did extensive research. Her point was to  introduce the reader to this event, not give us a lesson.

Characters: We loved Alma, not because she was perfect but because there was a realness to her and her voice led us into her past and present life. Sato, was a character that evoked strong emotions of wanting to like him but intensely disliking him. Here again, Copleton is able to evoke a relationship with the protagonist and stir emotions with her characters.

First sentence analysis: "Even the kindness of the half-light could not hide his disfigurement."

This sentence tells the reader, that one, we are not seeing the fullness of the situation, there is more to what we see. Secondly, there is a form of compassion in the opening scene given to us in the the word, "kindness". Thus, what is initally  seen is not totally disturbing. perhaps an invitation or desire to know more of what is seen in that moment. Also, the word "light" is injected. This can mean light in brightness, mood, to shed light on, as in reveal. How does light relate to this story? Then there exists "disfigurement",  stating something terrible is in its past. Hence in its  entirety, this sentence serves as a perfect set up to lead the reader into what brings us to this first encounter.

Here's what the author reveals about her first sentence. "The first line of the book is an introduction to themes running throughout the novel. 'Even the kindness of the half-light could not hide his disfigurement.' I talk a lot about light in the novel: the light of the bomb itself, the heat of the summer sun, Kenzo as the only light in Ama's life after August 9, the light of hope. I also wanted the book to be a kind book, if that doesn't sound odd. It's a story about forgiveness, of ourselves, our enemies, of reaching mutual understanding to find inner peace and peace between countries. And I wanted to make a nodding reference to the silence around the bomb and how we cannot ignore the 'disfigurement' its represents on world history, the injury that must be seen and acknowledged and remembered so that Nagasaki is the last place to experience the horror."

Starting this year of 2016, the Book Mistresses decided to take a deeper look into the first sentence as a year long study. Often, readers only look at the first sentence to see if it will grab their attention, to be a hook if you will.  After reading an artcle about first sentences, http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/07/this-did-something-powerful-to-me-authors-favorite-first-lines-of-books/278085/, we realized the immense thought and care that many authors take in writing the first sentence and how that sets the stage for the story.

Writing style: The writing is clear, with out over discriptive, flowery sentences. It is also, lyrical and precise in a way that is able connect with the Japanese culture. We found the epigraph introducing the chapters, defining something of Japanese significance considered important to be helpful.

Why read this book? This book is one of very few that is set in Nagasaki surrounding a nuclear bomb; before, during and  the aftermath. Almost always, books that are set during WWII take place in western, eastern Europe and other parts of the Soviet Union.

Recomend? Definitely, this book was thought provoking, fresh, and made for great discussion.

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