Hiroko Tanaka, a young woman living in Nagasaki in World War II, has fallen in love with a German. They know their lives are constantly in danger, but somehow their love has blossomed regardless. On the same day that Konrad proposes, the Americans drop a bomb on Nagasaki. Hiroko’s life changes irrevocably, right down to her skin, on which the birds from her mother’s kimono have been etched in scars. A few years later, Hiroko finds herself at the home of Konrad’s sister in India, where new love awaits. Sweeping onwards through to Pakistan and later the United States, this multi-generational work encompasses the depths of the horror of war and the endurance of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable horror and tragedy.
I’m not sure it’s possible to like this book, although I know I’ve said I do already. It is almost relentless in the danger and the pain it causes for its main characters, particularly Hiroko. In the beginning, it feels too long and it moves very slowly. While I appreciate the messages the book is trying to convey, it takes a great deal of concentration to get through and it might have benefited from a more concise plot. The writing is gorgeous, but doesn’t help matters, although it does feel as though we could live in the settings of the book. Each location feels different, as they should given where they are in the world. Hiroko moves from Nagasaki to India to Pakistan to New York City, all of which are beautifully drawn with Shamsie’s words.
It’s the message that this book has left me with, however, which is certainly both anti-war and almost anti-nation. By taking a large time period, Shamsie can show that as human beings, we haven’t learned from our mistakes, and that war is truly horrible in a way that people who haven’t lived through it don’t properly understand. She also shows us what a lack of education about can do through Hiroko’s son, Raza. Hiroko tries to shield him from the atrocities of the atomic bomb by speaking little about her own experience, but that only means he doesn’t understand what he’s getting into when violence does encroach upon his life and only learns later the meaning and devastation of violence and loss. The mistakes are repeated later with another character, still ignorant of what war truly means. With these characters, it seems to me that the author is trying to express that people are people, by giving voices and faces to those who do cross country boundaries and who may otherwise be considered suspicious. Nationalism only impairs our ability to relate to others as we stereotype them into something Different. It’s unquestionable, in the end, that this book has given me a lot to think about.
As such, I don’t know if I’d call Burnt Shadows an enjoyable book, but it is very deep. I felt that I was left with a lot on my mind and I had learned something about Pakistan in particular in the process (which I did enjoy, I like learning). So I’m undecided as to whether or not I can recommend it, and instead will leave you with just this review to decide for yourselves.
I agree with you. I don’t think I’d recommend this book to anyone. It has some excellent sections (I loved the first chapter) but overall it was quite disappointing. I felt it tried to do too much and I wasn’t a fan of the ending.
I bought Broken Verses (one of her earlier books) last week, so I’ll be interested to see how that compares. She is clearly a talented writer, but there was something about Burnt Shadows that didn’t quite work.
.-= Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..Hotel du Lac – Anita Brookner =-.
Very nice review. The book is not for everyone. I haven’t yet finished it and I haven’t had any desire to go back to it. Yet, the writing is lovely and the people are real. It’s just that nothing is compelling me to continue.
I’m going to wait for Jackie’s review of Broken Vases. I’m curious about her opinion.
I’m still deciding whether to officially declare Burnt Shadows as DNF or whether it will stay in my active list.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday (September 23) =-.
Sounds like a very tough book to swallow.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..I’m a Day Late: Fall into Reading Challenge =-.
I loved the cover, but the book –not so much. It was very deep/depressing as you pointed out.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday: Mean Mothers =-.
I have read so many mixed reviews of this book. Sorry you didn’t like it so much, but your review was lovely.
I would still like to read this book considering it gives an understanding on Pakistan which is great considering it’s our neighbor
I think I liked this book more than most people, partly because it echoed some feelings I already have. The book was sad and thought provoking and I learned about Pakistan. Having said all that, I understand why it’s not for everyone. I think your review is fantastic!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday =-.
I have been curious about this book, and had a hard time knowing whether or not I would like it, which is one of the reasons why I didn’t request a review copy. It may be one that I check out from the library at some point just to see if I want to read it.
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..Beg, Borrow, Steal – Review =-.
Terrific review. I actually did recommend the book because I thought it was very thought-provoking and interesting; however, I do understand that it’s not for everyone.
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: Goldengrove =-.
I think I’ll retire from book reviewing and leave it up to you….excellent review!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..In Which I Bare My Soul =-.
The settings sound fabulous, but plot-wise this doesn’t really seem like something I would go for.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Georgia O’Keeffe =-.
Very thoughtful review. I read this book and thought it was extremely deep and involving, but I also thought that it was very densely packed with plot elements. I am not sure if the story entirely worked for me, but I did feel like I learned from it. I think you did a great job relating your feelings and reactions to this book.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel: A Novel by Maureen Lindley – 304 pgs =-.
I know what you mean – it’s a hard book to recommend. I would have given it a much more enthusiastic endorsement if it had a better ending.
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..The Nonfiction Files =-.
Great review! I’ve this book in my TBR pile but I’m not so sure when I’d read it though.
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Thanks for the honest assessment. I still hope to get a chance to read it. I hope it’s okay that I linked to your review on War Through the Generations.
.-= Anna´s last blog ..NIGHT OF FLAMES by Douglas W. Jacobson =-.
Thank you for your great review, Meghan. This is one I am hoping to read soon. It does sound like it takes on some very difficult issues.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: Richard Stark’s The Hunter by Darwyn Cooke =-.
This sounds like pretty intense reading. However, I think I will still give it a try sometime. I like books that deliver a strong message
.-= Nish´s last blog ..It Never Rains but Pours… =-.
I have owned this since it came out and still not got around to reading it… One day I will!
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Six Sentence Saturday – Take Four =-.
Ummm…I completely agree with your review? (Don’t laugh!) But I said in my review that while I didn’t necessarily enjoy reading it, it really is literary fiction at its best because it makes you think!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Ice Land – Betsy Tobin =-.