The Lonely War

by Alan Chin

The realities of war are brutal for any man, but for a Buddhist like Andrew Waters, they’re unthinkable. And reconciling his serene nature with the savagery of World War II isn’t the only challenge Andrew faces. First, he must overcome the deep prejudice his half-Chinese ancestry evokes from his shipmates, a feat he manages by providing them with the best meals any destroyer crew ever had. Then he falls in love with his superior officer, and the two men struggle to satisfy their growing passion within the confines of the military code of conduct. In a distracted moment, he reveals his sexuality to the crew, and his effort to serve his country seems doomed.

When the ship is destroyed, Andrew and the crew are interned in Changi, a notorious Japanese POW camp. In order to save the life of the man he loves, Andrew agrees to become the commandant's whore. He uses his influence with the commandant to help his crew survive the hideous conditions, but will they understand his sacrifice or condemn him as a traitor?

Second Edition
Previously published by Zumaya Publications

Genres: M M Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBT, Fiction, Military Fiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2009

About the author

Alan Chin was born in Ogden, Utah, where he was christened, Alan Lewis Hurlburt. He was raised in San Jose, California where he enjoyed an undistinguished childhood. After graduating high school, Alan served four years in the U.S. Navy where he learned and practiced the trade of aircraft mechanic while stationed at the naval air station in Kingsville, Texas.
Alan attended four years of night school at San Francisco State University, studying the field of Data Processing. Afterwards he enjoyed a twenty year career working his way from computer programmer, to software engineer, to network designer, and finally to manager of several software engineer development groups.

In 1991, while still working full time, Alan went back to night school and years later graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BS in Economics and a Masters in Creative Writing.

In 1999, Alan retired from his career in Information Technology to devote more time to his three hobbies: writing, traveling, and tennis. During that same timeframe, Alan legally changed his name to Alan Chin, so that he could share the same family name as his life partner, Herman Chin.

Alan turned serious about his writing in 2003, and began working on his first novel, Island Song. He has now published two novel with Zumaya Publications - Island Song and The Lonely War. He is currently searching for a publisher fr his 3rd novel, while writing a 4th novel and two screenplays.

Alan currently lives and writes half of each year at his home in San Rafael, California, and he spends the other half of each year traveling the globe.

You can learn more about Alan Chin and his writing at: http://AlanChinWriter.blogspot.com or about his travels at his travel blog: http://HermanAndAlan.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3 stars ✰

​“Andrew, war and time will whisk away everything that you love.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Last week, I did a uquiz one of my Tumblr friends had created - which gay anime are you?

This was my result.



... and you love tragic love stories with sad endings

tragic love stories with sad endings

love stories with sad endings

It knows me so well. 😭😭

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Okay, well, maybe not the sad ending bit, but the tragic love stories' bit definitely holds up. I mean, hello, have you seen what I read? 🙃 Maybe that's why a part of me secretly and fervently clung to the possible hope that a Hollywood HEA would make its appearance as the ending drew close. But, then I saw the hints of why it is aptly titled the way it is. For no matter the sacrifices Andrew Walters, son of an American diplomat and a Chinese mother, made in the name of love or honor, it was a lonely path that he was destined to lead. The bittersweet parting of souls that he touched was the defining impact of how his Chinese master forewarned that he was destined to be Lingste, one of the Pebble People - 'a person who, when placed in any situation, will cause waves and bring change to everything.'

“He was smitten, and as he surrendered to it, his entire being transformed: loneliness, fear, loss, all vanished, soaring off into a void.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ For when he boarded the Pilgrim, 'a ship whose sole purpose was to destroy human life, nineteen-year-old Andrew did not expect at the time for his heart to become so taken for his handsome commanding officer thirty-year-old Mitchell. Amidst the early days of World War II, where the lingering contempt towards all Asians was rampant after the Pearl Harbor attacks, it was regarded as a serious breach of the naval code for a personal relationship to develop between an executive officer and an enlisted sailor. And even if he was comfortable with accepting his own homosexuality, Andrew knew that it was impossible to think that his feelings could ever be returned. But, the tide of fate is inevitable.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ When the two share the same heart-to-heart on subjects that only they are familiar with, when the longing of intimacy and connection ripples between the two, quoting Shakespeare or Yeats with the underlying current hinting of something deeper - 'I bring you with reverent hands the books of my numberless dreams'. 💌💌 When the heightened danger of risk floods the vessel and imprisonment looms on the horizon, it is only a matter of time when love is all Andrew feels for Mitchell - a love so palpable that when the time comes to make the ultimate sacrifice for Mitchell's health - an exchange of being another man's whore in order to provide him with the medical treatment that will save his life - it is that ultimate choice that draws the chasm between Andrew and his fellow captors, as well as the dividing line between his principles and his own heart that proves to him that it is indeed The Lonely War that he became a part of. 😥



“Lingtse,” the voice returned, “it is not our abilities or even our deeds that determine who we are. It is our choices.”

It's complicated.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's complicated and that's when things get messy. It gets messy because it messes with my head and my feelings. It makes me feel all kinds of emotions because I don't know what direction the story will take. And when it heads in said direction is the deciding factor of whether it's a make or break of approval ratings in my heart. 🙆🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It headed in a direction that left an ache in my chest, because I did not want that. Not that it was not realistic, but it hurt to think that after all that anguish and suffering - a willing sacrifice just to save another, in the hopes for an affection returned, a future together on the horizon - it was all for naught. 😟 I don't know if I can blame Andrew for succumbing to Tottori's pleasures and companionship. I don't doubt that the intimacy he received from him - the gentle kindness was a balm over the taxing affairs of the camp. 'When you look at something differently, it changes what you’re looking at.' Perhaps, the significance of absence of time spent together was the defining reason for Mitchell and himself to be doomed from the start. But, to carry that weight in the heart that he was doing it all for him - just to save his reputation and name and become an outcast to all - and then not even reap the benefits of that sacrifice, simply to preserve MItchell's honor of not acknowledging his own attraction to Andrew - not even knowing that he even returned his affections - is that noble or just irresponsible ill-doomed? 😕

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But, it is 1945. World War II has just ended, POWs are returning home, the Japanese are surrendering or committing seppuku, it's a time of decisions that no one can truly take into account save for those who lived it. It was with a gnawing and drawing hurt that I read it; perhaps, I foolishly clung onto the notion that Andrew did not really care for Tottori; but, somehow, real feelings did come to pass. And as much as I believed Mitchell was enough for Andrew, he wasn't. And that hurt. 💔

“Love, he understood, was an emotion that could bring joy and sorrow, and apparently it also had the power to take a precious life.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It hurt that war did rip away everything that he loved and what he represented. At the cost of his pacifist ideals - his honor - his integrity - his love for two men, so very different and apart, yet bound by one fateful decision he made in the name of love. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 While it stings that he did love the very man who literally compelled him into bed with him to save another, the author did not pale in showing how the levels of intimacy was developed - on both sides, with each respective party. First on the ship and then in the camp - none of those lingering sentiments did not feel unreal. And that is the part that my heart is resigned to accept. 😢

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It was well written and hauntingly poetic at times. There were gentle and kind moments of happiness - the fleeting glimpse of a future beyond the shackles. It captured the harsh reality of war with vivid and descriptive detail that brought it to life. 👍🏻👍🏻 From the time on the ship to their imprisonment in the cruel Changi POW camp on the Japanese island - the camaraderie amongst the other officers, how they fought to make ends meet through desperate means, the loyalty of each inmate who knew when to shoulder friendship over duty, the cruelty of other soldiers - be it the enemy or from another POW country - the horrors of war was not glossed over - be it on land or at sea. The supporting cast held their ground and their convictions, as well as their character growth, which gave this true sense that people's opinions and values can change for the better - through the difficult trials and challenges they overcome. 🥺

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The ending is tragic yet fitting, heartbreaking and bittersweet. My heart ached because it was wistful, as well as painful at how everything led to that final parting. It is a lonely path, indeed, for all those who felt the hands of an impossible love. The hope that it could be savored and nurtured is the cruel hand of fate that did not accept (points at self) that perhaps inevitable and doom right from the start - because of time and circumstance - but the romantic in me hoped that it would not be a tragic love story with a sad ending, after all. 😔

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very complex book, because Andrew, the protagonist, is a very complicated young man. He is of mixed heritage, half American and half Chinese; he lived among monks in his young age; he is a pacifist on a warship in the Pacific during WWII; he is attracted to men; he is an intellectual. If you dump all these things on one person, you understand that he is an outcast, a man who never actually fits in anywhere, even if his nature is generous and noble and manye people around him can't help being attracted to him and care for him. For the same reasons he attracts a lot of animosity and he is challenged into proving himself and his worth.

Andrew loves. His greatest love is for Nathan Mitchell, one of his officers. Mitchell is attracted to him, but it's like he can never give a name to his feelings for Andrew. They share the same intellectual interests, they both are sophisticated and sensitive. After being taken prisoners, Andrew whores himself to the prison camp leader, the Japanese Colonel Tottori. I said before that Andrew loves. Andrew recognizes in Tottori a strong personality, a beautiful soul, and he can't help loving him, maybe not with the same intensity he loves Nathan, but with awe and admiration. Tottori wakes the sexual needs of Andrew. Andrew uses this relationship to save Mitchell and gain a little bit of leeway to make the life conditions on camp better. He pays not only with his body, but with his soul too. He and Tottori share more than the bed.

When the war is over, the energetic and relentless Andrew becomes a shadow of himself. Tottori commited suicide. Nathan Mitchell married the woman who was pregnant of his child. Andrew realizes he has lost everything, but I think he has especially lost himself. He wants to die, he plans to die.

The ending of the book is a bit misterious (please read the excellent review by Elisa, she explains it much better than me). Did Andrew really try to take his life back or did he just let himself fade away? Did Nathan really meet him as a monk or was it just an hallucination? In that last meeting, Andrew didn't say a word, his appearance seemed that of a vision. I am a romantic. I can't believe that the strong Andrew of the beginning of the book lost himself so much that he refused to live, I can't reconcile the two images. I want to believe that renouncing Nathan was enough to atone for whatever he thought he did wrong and to put him on the right path again. But the doubt lingers.

It's a very emotional book and it's not really a romance, there's a lot of love, but it's not fulfilled like we would love to, given our romantic readers' soul. The protagonists just tried to do the best they could with what they had in tragic circumstances and they probably succeeded. Not the ideal ending, but a realistic - and satisfying - one.

[Leslie Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BLURB

The key issue keeping the U.S. armed forces from going beyond Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to give gay servicemen equal rights is a blind fear of love relationships forming, not between enlisted soldiers but between officers and soldiers, which would undermine the chain of command. The Lonely War tackles this topic head on. It tells the story of an enlisted sailor who falls in love with his executive officer. When the crew of the USS Pilgrim become POWs in Changi, a notoriously brutal prison camp, this sailor is elevated though hardship and love to discover his inner resources and extraordinary courage, allowing him to sacrifice himself to save the life of his beloved. Like most war novels, The Lonely War envelops all that is unique to war, the horror of battle, overcoming fear, the cruelty of soldiers, the loyalty and camaraderie of men caught in a desperate situation. Yet, it stands alone in two important ways. First, it is a passionate story written about a tender love developing between an officer and an enlisted man, revealing a rare and dignified portrait of a couple struggling to satisfy desire within the confines of the military code of conduct. Even more importantly however, it describes the heart-wrenching measures of how much one man will sacrifice to save the life and reputation of the man he loves.

THE REVIEW

War is hell. It is even more hellish if you happen to be an idealistic young man who has the terrible misfortune to spend most of World War II in brutal Japanese prisoner of war camp in southeast Asia. That’s what happened to Seaman Andrew Waters, lead character in The Lonely War by Alan Chin, and is the story that is told in its pages.

Let’s get a few points out of the way right up front. This is not a romance; it is a war story, which includes moments of love between and among men. If you are looking for “smokin’ sex,” trysts under palm trees, or a traditional and predictable HEA, this novel will probably not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, if you want a very real and poignant description of what men will do to survive in war and beyond, then this book may be for you. The story is complex, the characters, particularly Andrew, fully drawn, and the conclusion, while bittersweet, is appropriate to the story that is told.

We meet Andrew in the opening pages of the book: he is 18, of American and Chinese descent, a Buddhist, pacifist, multi-lingual, and recent US Navy enlistee. Why is he in the Navy? Good question. He should be at Harvard or Yale, safe and protected. But his father told him to join and in his words, “Asian children do as they are told,” and so off he went. I am sure that if Andrew’s father knew what was in store for his son he would never have made such a request, but such is the wisdom of hindsight.

The story takes place in three major parts: Andrew’s initial deployment on the USS Pilgrim, a naval destroyer; his internment (with his shipmates) at the Changi POW camp in Singapore; and the final aftermath after the Japanese surrender that ended the war in the Pacific.

I don’t want to give too much away because you really need to read this story and let it unfold on its own. Suffice it to say that in each section, the story is rich with details that create an atmosphere that is historic and faithfully true to its time and circumstance. It is clear that Alan Chin has done his research homework with regards to a historical story and the fine points shine on every page. Those of us who use accurate particulars as a gold standard for historical fiction will be eminently satisfied. Be warned, however: some of the details are pretty brutal. I appreciated that because this is a war story, after all, but I know many readers will use that as a red flag to stay away. Too bad if they do because they are missing a magnificent story in the process.

Speaking of stories: Chin knows how to tell one. I learned that in when I read his first novel, Island Song, which I enjoyed. He trumps that effort in spades, however, in this novel—it is complex and layered and I couldn’t put it down. The other big surprise is how much his writing has matured. Clearly, he has worked on his craft and it shows. That’s not to say the writing is perfect—Chin has a tendency for info dumps that come across as “mini-lectures” and they immediately take me out of the narrative. (If you need an example of what I am talking about, just read the blurb, above.) The other aspect of his writing that could use a bit of improvement is creating tension. At times the writing was flat and emotionless, even with beautiful (or horrific, depending on the action) evocative descriptions. I realize that in same places this might be intentional: the author was showing us, as readers, just how much Andrew was burying all that he felt. But given that the last one-quarter of the book was pitch-perfect in terms of emotional wallop, it makes me think that it wasn’t all entirely planned in the earlier sections and this is an area of his writing that could use a little tweaking. I mention both of these only because they had the unfortunate effect of taking me out of the moment of the book. Even though it only happened a handful of times, it was enough to be noticeable and thus resulted in my 4.75 star rating.

That said, I still highly recommend this book.

I sometimes wonder why I like war stories so much, since I certainly don’t like war! Maybe it is because the well-written ones do so much to point out the futility and ultimate uselessness of killing each other; that being brutal and hateful is not the way to solve problems even when we are put up against evil people. But we persist. In The Lonely War, Chin makes us ask those hard questions again, framing them against the background of very real men caught up in extraordinary and terrible circumstances. He puts World War II on a human plane, which is, for the soldiers and sailors—men like Andrew—how it was fought. As I closed the last page, my heart ached for all of them.

(originally posted on reviewsbyjessewave, December 2009)

[Arch Bala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction set during the second world war is a story that will make you weep, laugh and weep again for its heartbreaking poignancy! Just how apt is the name of Andrew’s crew (Pilgrim) with the story’s “religious” undertone? Actually, to say that it’s religious is a bit of a stretch because it’s more of an exploration of Andrew about himself and the things that are happening around him. At first I thought I’d be bored with it but throughout the story, I was a mixed-bowl of emotions. I was giddy with the “blossoming?” romance between Andrew and Nathan and was appalled by what happened to him eventually when they were captured by the Japanese soldiers. There really are two faces of war and it’s sad when you know that there are necessary evils that must be done in order to get through it. That’s what Andrew did here and there are times in the story that I had to stop because I was bawling my eyes out! I also loved Commandant Totturi because of his ‘history.’ It was true love for him and I pretty much believe that Andrew reciprocated that feeling, only his heart is too big for a lot of people.

People who are expecting a traditional happy-every-after ending will be very disappointed with this one. It does not have one, that I could tell you. For me though, it’s actually more than that. The author’s style will make you contemplate on a lot of things in a un-preachy way. I loved that about Alan Chin. He’s unapologetically honest and weaves his story with stirring narratives.

The Lonely War simply exemplifies Chin’s superb writing! Match Maker is still my number one favorite from his stories but this one comes close into out-besting it.

[Jeff Erno · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lonely War is a historical fiction with a setting during World War II. Written in the third person narrative, the story focuses primarily on central character Andrew Water’s point of view. Andrew is of mixed ethnicity, having an American father and a Chinese mother. During his childhood his mother dies, and he is raised and educated in a French run school under the tutelage of a Buddhist Master. At the age of eighteen, he is shipped to the United States where he is immediately drafted into the navy.

As an enlisted crewman, Andrew finds himself in a quandary when he meets and falls in love with his commanding officer, Lieutenant Nathan Mitchell. The young seaman is commissioned by Mitchell to become the ship’s chief cook, and he astounds the men aboard with his amazing culinary talents.

The relationship of the ill-matched couple is strengthened when they discover they share an intellectual connection, but it is not until Andrew risks his own life in order to save that of his commander that it becomes apparent the depth of Andrew’s love.

Ultimately all of the story’s primary characters are captured and imprisoned in a POW camp called Changi. It is here that Andrew again makes the ultimate sacrifice for the man that he loves, and in the process he develops feelings for another of his commanders. This time it is Commandant Totturi, the Japanese officer who oversees Changi.

The Lonely War is in many ways a reviewer’s dream-come-true. It is an extraordinarily well-written and meticulously edited piece of literature. The writing is so strong, in fact, that consuming this vocabulary is comparable to indulging in a delicious dessert. It is certainly to be savored, and due to this factor alone, it is a read which I strongly recommend.

In the author’s blurb, he promotes his book as being a statement about the military’s Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell policy, but in my opinion such a summary would seem to trivialize the impact of this gripping story. Yes, it is the story of love within a military setting, but I do not necessarily view this love as being limited to the homosexual relationships which are exposed therein. It is also about the love shared by the entire group of crewmates and prisoners who are so masterfully fleshed out in the book. It is about loyalty, forgiveness, and the potential that human beings possess to become more than the labels we place upon them.

Particularly impressive is the manner in which each of the main characters arc during the story. Initially Andrew is surrounded and oppressed by the bigotry of his crewmates who see him not as a fellow seaman, but instead merely as Asian. When they begin to figure out that he is homosexual, this bigotry intensifies. The manner in which Andrew wins each of them over and demonstrates the purity of his heart is emotionally gripping, to say the least, Each of the central and secondary characters is significantly impacted by the selfless acts of kindness that Andrew continues to demonstrate.

It is also noteworthy that although Andrew is presented in this positive yet sympathetic light throughout the story, he is not portrayed as being flawless. He often struggles with what he perceives to be failures of his own character, and he eventually even battles a powerful yet understandable addiction which nearly destroys him.

At the risk of including a spoiler, I must say that I was pleased with the not-quite-perfect ending of the story. It was not exactly what I would call a “happily-ever-after”, but it was satisfying and thought-provoking.

The beginning chapters of the story were laced with very lofty vocabulary, including several adjectives for which I actually had to pull out a dictionary in order to decipher their meaning. This continued until about page seventy of the book. It was amazing to me as I read it, because it almost seemed as if at this point something broke loose from the author and the real writing began. Only during these initial pages did it feel to me that the story sort of slogged along, but after this point it became a page-turner which I could not consume fast enough.

I would encourage readers to endure the beginning of the book, even if you are a bit overwhelmed initially, because it is an incredible story. Other than the slow start, my only real criticism was that I was so overcome with emotion during the last few chapters that I could barely see to read through my tears. I highly recommend this read, and I urge you to buy the book.

[PaperMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who appreciate M-M love amidst military-war-action settings, this Chin novel could be just what’s needed for a weekend read. I will confess up front that I’m a confirmed Alan Chin fan and have not been disappointed in his work to date.

Anglo-Chinese Andrew Waters (son of an American diplomat) enlists in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour to please his patriotic father. From the get-go, we know Andy will face resentment and difficulties from the crew of the USS Pilgrim headed for Pacific action … his Asian features which he cannot hide, his pacifist outlook instilled by years of schooling by Buddhist monks – which he will not hide, and being gay – which he does try to repress to protect a broken heart. Ragging, harassment and bullying treatment ensue from crew as well as superior officers. All but – Lieutenant Nathan Mitchell – handsome, dashing, cultured and who tries to protect Andy from being overly bullied.

For those readers who appreciated the naval crew and action as portrayed by J F Smith in his excellent work Latakia, you’ll find much similarity here with the USS Pilgrim’s logistics and shipboard life. Sheer luck or fate finds Andy allocated to cooking duties for the ship’s officers – and my goodness, Andy’s ensuing culinary endeavours appealed to all my foodie reading senses. The dance of attraction between Andy and Nathan (possibly bisexual) is deftly written – the longing and desire palpable. Any shipboard romances are skuttled when the USS Pilgrim heads into open-water military manoeuvres and subsequent merchant-craft action; SNAFU ensue when the ship is destroyed and survivors find themselves floating in a shark infested deep waters.

The plot neatly segues into POW action and life for Andy, Nathan and surviving crew-mates. Friend and foe band together in a matter of survival – I was pleasantly surprised how some nasty crew-mates turned out to such a support. Alan Chin does an excellent job making Singapore’s brutal Changi prison come horrifically alive for me – be warned, sexual violence is detailed. At this point of reading, I advise readers to grab a glass of red wine, put on Puccini’s Madame Butterfly before continuing. To save Nathan’s life, Andy has to make some awful sacrifices (his patriotism, his loyalties, his self-respect, and his abiding true love for Nathan) … what Andy could not anticipate is to find himself in the predicament of being torn between two lovers (one of whom being the enemy POW commandant); Chin provides much insight into Andy’s internal conflicts. Will Andy end up losing Nathan by the course of action taken to save the same man?

With the ending of WW2, the novel draws to a close – and I was on tenterhooks trying to work out where Andy would end up … with Nathan (who has an American fiancée awaiting him back home) or Commandant Totturi (who has a wife and son back in Tokyo) – definitely a between a rock/hard place scenario. The plotline resolutions for all MCs and a couple of secondary characters were total surprises to me (some not what I would have wished for at all); this is not a book for those who prefer neat happy endings.

Chin’s book is beautifully written, the plot unpredictable, the characters very real – their decisions difficult and their dilemmas truly painful. I was very moved by Andy’s selfless love, courage and steely determination. The authenticity of this story haunted my imagination for days afterward.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for skill with language. I really wanted to like this book more. Alan Chin is a gifted writer. But I just never could connect with the main character or his emotions. His thoughts and experiences were described in poetic, emotional language and yet I never felt it was quite real. The character, Andrew, definitely had the problem of seeming too good to be true, especially at the beginning. Here was this very young man who was intellectual, poised, multilingual, a pacifist but brave, able to take hostility from those around him and not get upset, a great chef, and so on. When he's caught in the shower in the middle of his first homosexual experience, (with not just a discharge but a prison sentence hanging over him) he explains that he isn't sure whether he really is gay in two beautifully-phrased and emotionally-honest paragraphs to his superior officer. (Grant you, the officer is a friend, but still...) Great atmosphere, decent plot, but just this air of unreality to me. This is a book I could see someone else loving, if they were able to connect with Andrew's character.

[Tex Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - Moving Story of Being a Gay Asian-American in WWII Navy.
Alan Chin definitely deserved all those awards, capturing the essence of what it was like to be an Asian-American in the navy during WWII, and gay.

I enjoyed hearing about the Buddhist culture as part of the MC's background, mixed in with the realistic portrayal of war and being a Japanese prisoner. The depth of character and relationship development was also authentic with the MC and all the major cast. Interestingly, while one antagonist was pretty one-dimensional, the others actually were richer and transformed over time in a believable way as their characters grew.

My heart went out to the MC, what he was going through, and how he had to deal with what we would call now PTSD. I would have liked to have learned more about his last partner and the final development of their relationship. Missed it though due to a jump in time. But other than that, the other jumps worked well to take me forward over the span of 5 years, and still give me that depth. In fact, it moved me to tears in places, and all led to an ending that fit in perfectly.

[Brandon Shire · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Excellent. Took this with me on a recent trip and loved it. The language, the teachings, and the scenery were all quite familiar and made me feel right at home. I think what I enjoyed the most was the inherent sensuality in the writing style.

Highly Recommended

[Jyanx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well done. Honest, brutal, and most definitely not a romance. Really enjoyable if you're not waiting for a "they lived happily ever after ending." A realistic ending not necessarily a tragic one.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is early 1941, Japan is invading Southeast Asia and foreigners are fleeing. Seventeen year old Andrew Waters and his father, an American working for US oil in Saigon, join the crowds jostling for transportation out. Andrew’s mother was Chinese and died when Andrew was six years old. He joined the army because it was his father’s wish and in the Asian culture, those wishes are always honored. Andrew knew a little about Chinese medicine, had hoped to train as a medic and asked for a transfer to the medical corps. However, the transfer for some reason never came through and Andrew ended up a regular seaman. He is fluent in French, Chinese, English, knows a little Spanish and is also an excellent cook.

When he boarded the USS Pilgrim he did not have any navy gear in his seabag. Instead he carried a few pages of Buddhist scripture and his prayer beads. As a Buddhist, he is a man of peace, a man who has vowed never to touch a weapon. He is not a coward, but certainly not a man one would expect to find among a group of rough, coarse sailors on board a warship. Andrew has two strikes against him as he joins this group of men: his mixed ancestry and his pacifism. As an outcast, he expects confrontation, bullying and disdain, but in spite of the hostility and tension that surrounds him, his calm is remarkable. He’s a man who determined to lead a moral life and bring no harm to any living thing.

The ship is not in the active battlefield, tasked instead with escorting supply ships and carrying mail. In the initial days at sea, Andrew establishes a connection with his executive commanding officer Lieutenant Nathan Mitchell, a young man with poise and confidence. Andrew finds him different from the other men, someone who like him finds himself out of his comfort zone. In the midst of a world they barely understand and so unlike the one they are accustomed to, they develop a close friendship.

The calm days at sea are interrupted when the crew learns they are to pick up a group of guerilla trained marines headed for Guadalcanal on an intelligence mission. During Operation Green Stealth, the marines are to gather information on troop strength, enemy ships and the progress the Japanese are making building an airstrip. The USS Pilgrim is to drop the men off in the dead of night and then quickly head out. But shortly before the mission is to begin, there is a fierce storm and the only marine in the group that reads and writes Japanese is lost overboard. Andrew Waters agrees to replace the drowned man on the mission even though he has never been trained in jungle warfare.

The ship is spotted by the enemy as they land the marines and in the chaos that ensues, the crew of the USS Pilgrim is captured and taken to Changi, a notoriously brutal prisoner of war camp. There Nathan Mitchell, the man Andrew has come to care for, lies severely injured. He will die unless he receives the proper drugs and medical care. To save his life, Andrew makes some difficult but courageous choices, choices that will change this kind and gentle man forever.

The writer gives the readers a compelling protagonist and surrounds him with strong supporting characters. Andrew Waters is a man who despite a bloody and chaotic war, still believes life is important and has purpose. Nathan Mitchell is the man whose duty to the navy and the woman he left behind in America, holds him back in his relationship with Andrew. Hikaru Tottori is the commander of the prisoner of war camp, a man committed to his duty and trapped by honor and tradition. Kenji is the commander’s adjunct, the only person who sacrifices himself for Andrew and the one who helps him put his life back together after the war.

This is a sensitive, beautifully written story of love, sacrifice and acceptance. It shows how one man stays true to his spiritual path, despite being surrounded by the brutality and violence of war. It describes how men struggled to survive under the absolutely barbaric and horrifying conditions in prisoner of war camps, where they lived not just from day to day, but from hour to hour, because for some of them, it was all they had. And it asks some difficult and thought provoking questions about how far you would go for those you care about. What kind of courage does it take to sacrifice yourself so that others will benefit?

This is an excellent read and one which I highly recommend.

[Ebook Addict Reviews]

Set against the backdrop of the years surrounding WW II in the Pacific theater of action, “The Lonely War” is a book worthy of the attention of a director like John Ford, Otto Preminger or Stephen Spielberg. The scope and breadth of this novel reminds me of three of my favorite movies, In Harms Way, Stalag 17 and Bridge Over the River Kwai. Blame it on my dad. Though female, I can appreciate those movies and this novel. So there won’t be any doubt, I absolutely loved this novel!

In “The Lonely War” we’re privileged to follow the life of a young Chinese American — Andrew Waters from 18 to about 24 years of age. I was surprised how much he experiences in so short of time in this novel but his journey echoes the trial of many young Americans before and after World War II.

“To experience love’s full bounty is life’s only purpose, so tread the moral path before you and sacrifice yourself to love.” These are some of the last words of Andrew’s teacher a Buddhist monk as he says goodbye to Andrew on a Saigon dock as they escape the invading Japanese. This entire novel is really about Andrew living those words as he comes to grips with understanding himself and his love for his superior officer Lt. Nathan Mitchell.

Mr. Chin does a wonderful job conveying the emotional upheaval of their growing relationship in the austere world of naval ship life where testosterone dominants and homosexuality is taboo. “The Lonely War” is a compelling drama of love, survival and sacrifice on a grand scale. I can’t expound enough upon the marvelous characters in this story. Andrew and Nathan are the heart of the book and give it such heartrending emotional depth I hated to put the book down to deal with my everyday life. However, it is the supporting cast that makes this book sing. There are wonderful moments of cunning, laughter, joy and camaraderie between the characters. I felt that I was with them. I will remember Cocoa, Grady, Hudson, Clifford, Tottori, Father Moyer and others for a very long long time.

Is this an erotic novel? There are definitely erotic elements and moments of passion; but it is so much more than that. It is a fictional account of a historical time wrapped in a luscious tapestry of characters, emotions and events so well written you know this story could have happened and in some ways I hope it did. “The Lonely War” is one of those novels that I will reread with great pleasure in the years ahead. There is only one other book on my shelf besides the Bible I can say that about. If this novel is never made into a movie it is cinema’s loss. But we’re lucky. We at least have an absolutely marvelous and inspiring book to read again and again.

Reviewed by Justine

[Nikyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been thinking on this review for days now but I just can't actually put into words what I'm feeling or what I want to say. However, I happen to think Emanuela's review does an awesome job of explaining everything you need to know about this novel.

It's not often I like books like this one. One's that are realistic in how they end. I need my HEA's like I need water and when I don't get them I get cranky and take off stars for it but there's just something about this book that made me overlook the fact it doesn't end on a good romantic note. In fact, it's questionable as to whether or not it ended on a good note at all. And I didn't mind that at all.

It rubbed me raw. I didn't cry (much). I didn't get angry. And even though I didn't let myself feel any of the characters emotions or feelings this book still rubbed me raw. It was devastating and exhilarating because I was hooked in the story. I wanted to know what happened next, how they were going to survive the war, what happens after the war and I got all my answers. I fell in love with the characters. Andrew is the main POV but we occasionally get glimpses of Mitchell's. Andrew and Tottori just burrowed their way into my heart and while I didn't like Mitchell all that much, Andrew loved him enough for me to at least like him. Lol

I know a lot of people don't want to read books that don't have HEAs and those people will probably skip right over this one but I strongly encourage you not to skip it. It was an exceptional read and I strongly advise everyone to give it a try.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

The Lonely War is the beautifully written story of one man’s journey through hell and towards happiness. The recipient of multiple awards and now in its third edition from DSP Publications, I think it would be safe to say The Lonely War is something of a modern classic. Alan Chin expertly captures Andrew’s struggle to endure pain and preserve his sanity in the midst of a living nightmare. Though I hesitate to call this a romance, there is no doubt that love, in all its forms, shines through as the predominate theme. Andrew’s love for those around him, of Buddhism, and ultimately of life itself, all coalesce into an elegant story of loss, sacrifice, and acceptance. The novel moved along smoothly, never dragged, and often became so captivating that I had trouble setting it aside. The author’s voice is powerful and poetic without dominating or destroying the natural rhythm of the plot. The historical aspects are well meshed amongst the rest of the narrative and act as a natural extension of the book. But it is Andrew and a strong cadre of secondary characters that make The Lonely War a truly incredible read.

Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.

[E.E. Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Buddhist Chinese-American in Changi Prison during WWII. The role of the Japanese and the interactions between them and the local people. The immersion in and isolation from the war and the fight for survival against incredible odds. It's all there in amongst one of the most powerful romances I've read for a while. Chin's characterisation is brilliant. At each turn I'm drawn so deep into the story I can feel the echo of every emotion Andrew feels. The research is spot on too--that's always important--although it's amusing that every improvement in living standards was brought about by an American/group of Americans.

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise was interesting> World War II, gay sailors, one of which is half Asian. However... the execution of the plot did not feel very convincing, and the love scenes seemed drawn from the many fan-fictions that one can encounter all over the Internet. The main character's moments of day-dreaming about his superior were out of place. As I see it, the book lacked precisely that tension between the characters that could have made it even more dramatic.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book, full of rich characters and history. I fell in love with Andrew and the many triumphs and downfalls he experienced. The last part of the book both killed and heartened me while reading. I haven't cried with a book this much in quite awhile. Alan Chin wrote a wonderful novel that deserves to be recognized beyond the m/m genre.

[Bookbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Others have the ability to write well thought-out, insightful reviews of this book; I do not. All I can say is that it is beautifully written and devastatingly haunting. Definitely a book I will re-read in the future. I could not recommend it more!

[Nijin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was emotional but sad. God language. Plot is simple but not too boring. I had some problems with different focus, can't associate myself with hero. I didn't like the ending,so only 2.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lonely War was very well written and filled with beautiful prose but it was difficult for me to read. The timeline was during World War II in the Pacific Arena and the tension throughout the book filled me with an underlying dread that this story would not end well. I don't mean just because it's during a horrific time in World history but I mean I felt depressed as I read every chapter.

Basically this is a war story about a ship full of sailors and officers and their roles/duties in the military. The MCs are officer, Lieutenant Nathan Mitchell and Seaman Andrew Waters, an enlisted man. Andrew is half Chinese which plays a big part in the plot because of the bigotry against Asians in the US military in that time period. Nathan is Andrew's direct commanding officer. There is an attraction that starts out as intellectual and soon follows the physical attraction. This relationship cannot develop for two reasons, one being the obvious gay issue but also there's a non fraternizing rule between officers and the enlisted. So even if it was a male and female affair their relationship would be a no-go.

So basically everything in this book was as depressing as hell. The ship goes on a secret mission to drop off some marines on the island of Guadalcanal. The ship ends up getting hit by incoming artillary and sinks. Those that didn't get killed on the ship or eaten by sharks are picked up by the enemy and hauled to a prison camp where bad things happen.

Do you see where this going? It was difficult for me to read this book without coming up for air constantly just to clear my mind of the sadness.

The reason why I'm even rating this book 4 stars is because it was so well written and at times it was even beautifully tragic but by the end I was ready to close the book and be done.

[HY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking. Personally, I half appreciated, half disliked the them of Buddhism in the book and characters. It was a very new approach for me, so it was interesting to see the world throught that perspective. On the other hand, it seemed too overdone in the book.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, if the story’s twists are at times difficult to accept, but you’ve got to trust the author, who comes through brilliantly.

[madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like being kicked in the throat (in a good way I think?)

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is a really lovely novel. Which is kind of an odd thing to say about a story that takes place, in part, in a WWII Japanese prison camp. There are so many intriguing elements, but I most appreciated the contrast of the young Buddhist pacifist serving on a ship in wartime, the challenges and discrimination inherent in being an Asian American while serving the war effort, and the remarkable depth and varieties of love and loyalty that are portrayed in the book.

The language in the opening chapters could have been toned down a bit; the wording can be rather lofty and sometimes over-descriptive, but that changes for the better as the action picks up. There are some minor but obvious typos (vile for vial, yoke for yolk, etc.), but they end up being trivial in the larger context of this layered and nuanced work. The main character is a chef, so people who enjoy food writing will be periodically rewarded throughout the text. The novel has both an epic and a literary feel, and a lot about this book was very unexpected and extremely satisfying. Alan Chin has a gift for balancing the characters' inner and outer worlds, thereby keeping the reader's interest. Except for the slightly awkward beginning, this novel was beautifully done.

[Thomas Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lonely War is listed by The Reader as one of the fifty best books of 2011; it is a must read! It is one of the five best I have personally read this year including, Vast Fields of Ordinary, Two People, Edinburgh, Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man, and A Postcard From the Volcano. The Lonely War is a story of intrigue and action, set in the Pacific theatre during WW II, where we witness rough and tumble sailors in a life and death struggle with the implacable Japanese in a cleverly rendered, harrowing naval battle. Alan Chin's edgy, thought provoking Lonely War will catch you flat-footed and incredulous time and again. Bravery, enlivened in crisp original detail, is a prominent theme on the high seas and on land as our protagonist-hero, a young Asian-American man, confronts profound loss and unexpected renewal. This is a gripping, poignant personal journey of self-discovery, and unselfish love you will never forget.

[Hpstrangelove · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than five stars I would. It was beautiful and tragic. I expected most of the story to take place in the prison camp, but it didn't. Almost half the book took place aboard the ship. The entire story spans all of WWII. Knowing how the war ends, the reader knows there can be no happy ending. I wanted Andrew to end up with both men, even though I couldn't see a way it could happen. Several times I ended up with tears in my eyes, hoping against hope that Andrew would find a way to be happy.

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Lonely War' by Alan Chin, was a very emotional journey, often a distressing one; but Alan is such an excellent writer that good or bad, his words placed me in the middle of the action. The main character is an awesome man who I grew to admire very much. It has bittersweet parts but it doesn't have what I would consider a happy ending. After all, it is about war. For the writing alone, it's worthy of our appreciation.

[Meggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, that this story is really complex. Andrew is really character with a nobler soul. He was strong, full of love and courage. You really just have to admire him in each way. I didn't find any foul in him as a person, and I totally admire Andrew, as a character, Alan Chin created in this great book. What a strong, strong soul...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READ...

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like history, especially of conflicts I don't know much about so I found The Lonely War interesting in that way. The author did their research and I appreciate learning. The main character didn't work too well for me, but I liked the story for the most part even if I might have wished the ending different. I look forward to reading more by this author.