Review | A Vintage Affair

Author: Isabel Wolff
Published: January 19, 2009
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 432
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction, World War II
Rating: ★★★★☆
Reading Guide from LitLovers

Synopsis 
(from Goodreads)
Every dress has a history. And so does every woman.

Phoebe Swift’s friends are stunned when she abruptly leaves a plum job to open her own vintage clothing shop in London—but to Phoebe, it’s the fulfillment of a dream, and her passion. Digging for finds in attics and wardrobes, Phoebe knows that when you buy a piece of vintage clothing, you’re not just buying fabric and thread—you’re buying a piece of someone’s past. But one particular article of clothing will soon unexpectedly change her life.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Find Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet on Goodreads
Genres/Themes: Historical Fiction, Romance, World War II
My Rating: ★★★★☆

I wanted to rate this book lower because of the time discrepancies (Internet support group? Laser digital copying? In the 80s? I don't think so), but I just couldn't do it. The last 5 chapters were the deciding factor. I would like to recommend that if you are going to read this, pretend that every time it says 1986 it actually says 2001.

The plot was very good, but could have been written better. The transition between time periods could have been done better, but that aside, it was a very touching love story. Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you want it, and that's what happened with this story, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a happy ending.

So much I want to say, but so many spoilers, so enter at your own risk!
[Show Spoiler]
The love between Keiko and Henry was so sweet, I wanted to see them together so much, but you know it won't happen since he'd been married to Ethel for so many years. I should have seen it coming, but I didn't realize that the post girl was Ethel. I really like how they ended up meeting, though I thought he gave up on Keiko too fast. Especially since he thought he saw her in the crowd. I was glad that in the end they ended up meeting. I was even more excited that she had the record. I was so upset when Henry found it broken. I didn't want Sheldon to die without hearing it.

The ending had a very nice turn to it. You thought it would go one way and it would turn and turn again. At one point I was so mad thinking, "I'm going to hate this ending," then it turned. I ended up liking the ending and the conclusion to the romances better than if everything had turned out the way I had originally wanted it to. I don't often cry for any reason. This is one of two books that I have read that has caused me to tear up. A very emotional and satisfying ending.


From Book Club Discussion:

Anyone ever notice that when people talk about the war, the Holocaust and Jewish concentration camps are mentioned, but no one ever says anything about the Japanese camps we had here in the states? Yeah they weren't as bad, but there was a lot of bad stuff that happened there too. How much did you learn about them in school? All I remember is a brief overview of them during one or two days of History and a couple weeks spent on the Jews. And the conditions of the camps were just glossed over.

http://www.densho.org/densho.asp
http://la8period3.pbworks.com/w/page/25942447/Living...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_internment
http://vimeo.com/29012607

1. Did you like this book? Why or why not?
I liked the book. I can’t say I loved it though. 

The first thing that bothered me was that Marty was part of an internet support group in the 80s. There were a couple of other time discrepancies that made reading this frustrating. Once I imagined that the year was 2001, I was a lot happier reading. That wouldn’t have made Henry too old either, so everything would still be plausible (more so even).

The author also didn’t seem to know when to switch back and forth between time periods. Sometimes the switch would happen at a good stopping point, most times not. And sometimes I was left wondering why it hadn’t switched yet.  I liked the idea that the author was going for, but I don’t think it was executed very well.

The other thing that got me, was that even though all this looting and trash talking and imprisonment was going on, everyone was too happy. The Okabes just took everything as it came and contributed it to patriotism. I don’t care how patriotic you are, you may still act patriotic and take it, but there is going to be some grumbling behind the scenes.

2. Who was your favorite character and why?
Keiko, she was just so cute. Whenever I think of her character, I imagine her in her pink dress at the club staring bright-eyed at the musicians playing.

3. Father-son relationships are a crucial theme in the novel. How is the relationship between Henry and his father different from that between Henry and Marty?
First, I would like to say that Henry’s father drove me nuts. He was so contradictory! He wanted his son to be American, so he had to speak English, go to a white school, and would get mad if Henry behaved too Chinese. But then Henry had to follow Chinese traditions and finish his schooling in China, and when Henry wanted to live as an American, his father threw a fit. Make up your mind! Let the kid be a Chinese American.

Anyways, building on that, Henry and his father seemed to have a strenuous relationship. Henry’s father wanted the relationship of a traditional Chinese family, but his wanting his son to be American didn’t really fit into that picture well even though he wanted it to and caused a lot of problems.  You can’t have it both ways 100%, you’re going to have to give somewhere.

The relationship between Marty and Henry seemed pretty good but distant. Henry let Marty grow up as an American but in doing so he kept his past from Marty. In doing so, he kept a part of himself from him too.

4. Many characters in the novel make sacrifices in pursuit of their dreams for themselves and for others. Which example resonated with you the most? Do you think any characters sacrifice too much, or for the wrong reasons?
Keiko’s sacrifice of freedom to stay with her family (more than once) resonated with me the most. She didn’t know what the internment camp would be like or how long they would be there or how they would be treated, but even though she wanted to be free and with Henry, she decided to stay with her family. I really like that since family is so important in my family too.

Another sacrifice that resonated with me was Sheldon giving the last record to Henry for Keiko’s birthday. Although, if they sold so well and fast, I don’t see how there wouldn’t have been enough money to produce more, but whatever.

The father sacrificing his son for his pride over Henry’s love of Keiko was too much and for the wrong reasons. He’s your son, forgive him, and learn to compromise.  Though I understand why it happened that way. Filial piety in China is absolute. In Henry’s father’s eyes, Henry dishonored him, but then forgiving him is a step in becoming more American and understanding.

When My Name Was Keoko & Young Deputy Smith

Find When My Name Was Keoko on Goodreads 
Genres/Themes: Historical Fiction, World War II
My Rating: ★★★★★

I read this a couple of years ago and really loved it. I often heard about Japan's occupation of Korea, but never really heard too many stories about it. This is one of the best books that I've ever read.

During Japan's occupation, Korean's were forced to learn Japanese. This had to discard their heritage and customs. All Rose of Sharrons (Korea's national flower) were removed and replaced by Japanese cherry trees. To survive, Koreans had to follow the Japanese as Keoko and her family did, but in following the Japanese, they were shunned by their own people and treated as traitors of Korea.

I highly recommend this book to people interested in history, especially pertaining to East Asia and World War II. If you're interested in this theme, check out the kdrama Bridal Mask (Gaksital) on viki.

**********

Find Young Deputy Smith on Goodreads
Genres/Themes: Adventure, Western
My Rating: ★★★★★

This has been one of my favorite books since I was in junior high. Although it seems unrealistic now, it was fun to read about the young boy who ran way from home and made it big.

I would recommend this book to people interested in Western Fiction, especially if you like Wyatt Earp. If you like John Wayne movies, you'll probably enjoy this book.