Bridge of Scarlet Leaves- Review

What this book is about: Usually I cut and paste the synopsis trying to shorten it up to give you just a glimpse into the story. Today I would like you to watch the trailer for this book. I enjoyed the author telling how she came to write this compelling and moving book.

First thoughts after finishing: The author broke my heart.....

I am always grateful to authors when something they crafted with love touches me on such a deeply emotional level. This book pulled me in from the first chapter and I couldn't bear parting with the characters when the story ended. I have to say that I found this story thought provoking, often stopping to tell my husband what was occurring because I would get so upset over some of the actions of Americans toward Japanese Americans. I couldn't imagine operating under the sheer terror and panic of Pearl Harbor and have that event color my perception of my Japanese neighbors, friends, and ones that I would call family. Kristina wrote a story that needs to be talked about and remembered. I wasn't aware of some of the laws preventing those of Asian descent home ownership. I love it when I learn and acquire new information about a time period where most of the attention is drawn to Germany and the Holocaust.

Her story came alive and these people were real to me. I cherished the love story between Maddie and Lane. They had my heart from the very beginning. Could you imagine having people stop and stare at you just because you were holding hands with someone of a different race? This story shows that love knows no race, skin color, or facial features.

Recommend? Without hesitation! I think this would make for a wonderful book club selection too. I read the discussion questions in the back and really feel that there is so much to talk about and share with this beautiful book. Lane and Maddie's love story had me reminiscing about the time I spent in Japan as an exchange student. I felt blessed to have grown up when I did because I found love there during my stay. We didn't have to worry about holding hands in Niigata, where I was an exchange student. No one really paid us much attention and honestly, I never once thought of him as being any different from me. I just fell in love with him and his gentle ways. We were the lucky ones who benefited from those who braved the prejudice, shame, war relocation camps, and showed the rest of the world that we are all human and we all love.

Make sure that you listen to Bach's Second Partitia, The Chaconne. It added so much to the last twenty pages of my reading experience. Trust me on this!

Source: The generous and beautiful, Kristina McMorris
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 437
Published:  March, 2012

*Uncorrected ARC

Please visit Kristina's website for more information on this book, to schedule a bookclub visit, and to view her photo album from her research trips.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Kristina McMorris for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

Review Book #6
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.