The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama

Two brothers at the beginning of WWII in Japan--this is the focus of the novel.  They are orphans being raised by their grandparents and are very different from one another.  One, Hiroshi, wants to grow up to be a sumo wrestler, the other, Kenji wants to be an artist.  One is strong, the other a "ghost".  As the story progresses one finds out that neither is weak and strength is often deeper than they thought. 

WWII arrives in Japan. While there is not a lot of detail about battles or even war, Tsukiyami does let us know that those who survived the dropping of the bombs suffered immensely. The Japanese people also suffered. We Americans so often think of Japanese involvement in WWII as that of enemy only but these characters endured starvation, deprivation, loss of loved ones, and struggles like so many others of this time.  Like those of our nation, the main characters were impacted for the rest of their lives by the war.  Also like others, they went on to live lives filled with triumphs and with despairs.  Hiroshi becomes the sumo master he dreamed of but sees little else fulfilled.  Kenji becomes the Noh mask artist but also suffers great loss.  Through it all, the brothers have the love and support of the grandparents whose wisdom guides them until the end.

The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

Set in England during the Plague this book introduces us to another strong woman who lost her husband, her children and many friends during the Plague.  It also gives insight into the way people viewed the plague, how to cure it, how to treat it and how to deal with those they believed to be responsbible for it. It also showed how women were treated in a variety of stations of life.  Whether they were married off to older men, cast aside by those who believed them to be unworthy, tried as witches or esteemed for the healing they could do the women were able to endure the hardships of life and still maintain their humanity. 

I was surprised at the end of the book to find that the relationship between the Minister and his wife (Michael and Elinor Mompellion) was not even close to what I thought it had been.  This man of God who did so much for others was unable to forgive his wife for loving another prior to their marriage.  I found his treatment of her cruel and can not even imagine how they lived together as they did without animosity.  I was not surprised that Anna left England but was surprised that she essentially ended up as part of a harem.  Still, each decision was hers to make and hers to live. She was a very strong woman!

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

This was a difficult book for me to wrap my head around at first as Brooks alternates between England and New England during the early years of WWII.  Once I was able to figure out the connection between the two female main characters I enjoyed the rest of the book.  I think I envied Frankie Bard for her eyewitness to history as a reporter for Edward R Murrow.  I wondered at her ability to survive the Blitz, to travel through Europe searching for and collecting stories of the displaced and to eventually make her way to Massachusetts to deliver a letter written to a woman whose husband left for England to help out prior to the US entry into the war. He left because he and his wife had listened to one of Frankie's stories and wanted to help. 

In the US Iris James is the postmistress of Franklin Massachusetts, a fictional town full of interesting characters waiting for the US to enter WWII. She is a by the book type of woman who takes her job very seriously but when it comes time to deliver the one letter that would change Emma Fitch's life forever she chose to hold onto it instead.  This act delayed the agony Emma would have endured until her child could be born.

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill

This selection moved us post revolution Laos in SE Asia.  I must admit I had never considered how communist countries determined who filled what positions and I imagine the main character, Dr. Siri Paiboun felt much the same when he found himself the new coroner of the country.  The author did an excellent job of showing the challenging work conditions Dr. Paiboun had to endure in solving the mystery of death of a public official's wife.  Cotterill also gives some insight into the relations between Vietnam and Laos in this period.  It only goes to show that intellect and determination will win out over corrupt governments.

Monkeewrench by P J Tracy

Monkeewrench introduced the group to a series of stories set in Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis and its surrounding areas. The authors combine murder, mayhem and technology into a suspensful novel.  It was an easy read that through a few surprises my way.

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory

We enjoyed the White Queen so much we moved directly into the Red Queen and came to know Margaret Beaufort of the House of York. While she was introduced in The White Queen, I developed a greater sense of her strength in this movel.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Our first book selection introduced us to the War of the Roses with the House of Lancaster. Elizabeth Woodville is a very strong willed woman who sets about protecting her family and changing the history of England.