Julie Wu

This first son enjoyed reading about "The Third Son".

Set in 1943, eight year old Saburo meets Yoshiko in an air raid. Because it was a Japanese territory, the Americans were bombing Taiwan. After WW2, Taiwan is freed from the Japanese only to be placed under the heel of the Chinese Nationalist Army. Saburo is trying to get out from under the heel of his parents and first born brother, whom his parents heavily favored.

The book does feel like it missed some scenes. A paragraph here or there would have made transitions of scenes easier.

Especially loved the scenes of Saburo describing American life from his Taiwanese eyes. I was not aware of the White Terror in Taiwan and have more respect for the Taiwanese independence movement. If nothing else, I will be more tolerant to Taiwanese who insist they are Taiwanese, not Chinese.





… (mehr)

Lately, when I read at bedtime I'm asleep by the second or third paragraph - though my husband says that I continue to turn pages even after I've fallen asleep. This was not the case with The Third Son which I found to be a very captivating story. I carried the book with me and grabbed minutes of reading wherever possible because I wanted to find out what would happen next. I thought that the family dynamics were especially interesting and gave me a better appreciation of life in another culture. I will be recommending this book to my friends.… (mehr)