Clara Olink Kelly

A vivid, insightful memoir about life in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II. When the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) feel to the Japanese, Dutch nationals like the Olinks were interned in prison camps. The family was separated as Kelly's father was sent to a labor camp where he worked on the Burma railroad. Kelly's mother and two brothers were sent to the notorious Kamp Tjideng on Java for women and children. With over 10,000 prisoners, the camp's living conditions were frequently horrific. In addition to her vivid descriptions of life in the camp, Kelly's memoir is a loving tribute to the courage and resilience of her mother.… (mehr)

This is a short memoir. Some would say too short. Clara Olink Kelly is just four years old when her family is torn apart by the Japanese invasion of the Pacific Island of Java during World War II. Clara's father is forced to work on the Burma railroad while Clara's mother is left to care for two small children and a pregnant with a second son. It isn't long before the Japanese commandeer their home and the entire family is transferred to a concentration camp, Kamp Tjideng. There Clara spends four long years enduring extreme crowding, starvation, illness and unspeakable filth. In addition she witnesses horrific abuse and violence that would haunt her for the rest of her life. The one piece of home that keeps them going is a small painting of a red flamboya tree. This painting, because it was never abused or destroyed by the Japanese, became a symbol of strength for the family. It goes wherever they go. The other symbol of strength is Clara's mother. The beautiful thing about The Flamboya Tree is that throughout the entire story Clara's respect and admiration for her mother never waivers. It is a lovely tribute to a mother who did everything she could to protect her children and survive the harsh conditions.… (mehr)