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The Little Captive : How one girl survived a Japanese Prisoner of War camp
'I took hold of the fence and pressed my face into the wire, asking myself what I had done to be made a prisoner?'
On the Indonesian island of Java, eight-year-old Lise enjoys a happy childhood, thousands of miles away from the war raging in Europe. Then, one day in 1942, her friends and neighbours start to disappear.
For two years, Lise and her family were imprisoned in POW camps, surviving starvation, illness and brutal treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors - but they never gave up hope. This is the remarkable true story of a little girl who, even in the darkest depths of war, was able to look beyond the barbed wire, to a time when she would be free.
First published in hardback as The Blue Door.
On the Indonesian island of Java, eight-year-old Lise enjoys a happy childhood, thousands of miles away from the war raging in Europe. Then, one day in 1942, her friends and neighbours start to disappear.
For two years, Lise and her family were imprisoned in POW camps, surviving starvation, illness and brutal treatment at the hands of their Japanese captors - but they never gave up hope. This is the remarkable true story of a little girl who, even in the darkest depths of war, was able to look beyond the barbed wire, to a time when she would be free.
First published in hardback as The Blue Door.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 26, 2016
This is a non-fiction book I had never heard of before it turned up at my house as the November BookBuddyBox (check them out here). I was so very glad that this did turn up though, because instantly it sounded like a book I knew I would probably like, and I definitely did enjoy listening to the story of Lise and her family.
What I liked most about this is that it feels like an easy or fictional read at times as the writing style is simple and just lays out the facts and interesting points in an engaging way. The fact that this isn't fiction was something I constantly had to remind myself so I ended up getting a shock every time something really nasty happened and I would think, 'wow, and that really happened to them'. I think this was both a good and bad thing and I, at times, was glad for the detachment and the shock. At other times I thought it was not as good because I didn't take as much from it as I may have had it been more brutal.
This is the story of a young Norwegian girl called Lise and her family when they were taken prisoner by the Japanese in the war time. The book is told by Lise when she's a lot older and she recounts her tale and it's a ghostwritten novel. I think seeing these things through the eyes of a child sometimes made it more brutal and cruel and sometimes made things seem less so. There were moments in the story when I knew as a child Lise may not have guessed the real horrors happening to those around her, but reading it as an adult I could guess...
Overall this is a shocking and frank look at the horrors from the Japanese war camps, a history which is often denied or glossed over. I really liked being able to hear first-hand what it was like, and I think Lise and her family were both lucky and determined to survive. It's a hard-hitting but superb book and I would thoroughly recommend it.
As for the book buddy box experience I still really loved that too. It's a lot of fun to have post-it notes with thoughts and ideas and feelings interspersed in the plot and I think this book lends itself to feelings and wanting to talk about the events within.
4.5*s for the book overall :)
What I liked most about this is that it feels like an easy or fictional read at times as the writing style is simple and just lays out the facts and interesting points in an engaging way. The fact that this isn't fiction was something I constantly had to remind myself so I ended up getting a shock every time something really nasty happened and I would think, 'wow, and that really happened to them'. I think this was both a good and bad thing and I, at times, was glad for the detachment and the shock. At other times I thought it was not as good because I didn't take as much from it as I may have had it been more brutal.
This is the story of a young Norwegian girl called Lise and her family when they were taken prisoner by the Japanese in the war time. The book is told by Lise when she's a lot older and she recounts her tale and it's a ghostwritten novel. I think seeing these things through the eyes of a child sometimes made it more brutal and cruel and sometimes made things seem less so. There were moments in the story when I knew as a child Lise may not have guessed the real horrors happening to those around her, but reading it as an adult I could guess...
Overall this is a shocking and frank look at the horrors from the Japanese war camps, a history which is often denied or glossed over. I really liked being able to hear first-hand what it was like, and I think Lise and her family were both lucky and determined to survive. It's a hard-hitting but superb book and I would thoroughly recommend it.
As for the book buddy box experience I still really loved that too. It's a lot of fun to have post-it notes with thoughts and ideas and feelings interspersed in the plot and I think this book lends itself to feelings and wanting to talk about the events within.
4.5*s for the book overall :)
January 12, 2013
One of the most harrowing, heartbreaking books I have ever read about World War 2, yet also one of the most uplifting. The spirit and resilience of the women and children in the face of such horrific circumstances is truly awesome.
The depths of depravity to which human beings can sink is laid bare, and like many others, I'm sure, I have been in tears while reading it. Lise Kristensen tells her story unemotionally, in a very matter of fact way, and this book is a true testament to the human spirit.
What this book does is highlight the depth of endurance of which these people were capable;one of the most poignant examples was when , after a long march in the most terrible conditions, when they had gone without food and
drink for many hours, they came upon a feast for Buddha, and had to watch helplessly as it spoiled in the sun, while Lise questioned her mother how it was that a feast was given to a statue which could not eat!
It is a book that will stay in my memory forever.
This book highlights the terrible truths about the war and the stain it has left on the world, and anyone who reads it cannot fail to be affected.
The depths of depravity to which human beings can sink is laid bare, and like many others, I'm sure, I have been in tears while reading it. Lise Kristensen tells her story unemotionally, in a very matter of fact way, and this book is a true testament to the human spirit.
What this book does is highlight the depth of endurance of which these people were capable;one of the most poignant examples was when , after a long march in the most terrible conditions, when they had gone without food and
drink for many hours, they came upon a feast for Buddha, and had to watch helplessly as it spoiled in the sun, while Lise questioned her mother how it was that a feast was given to a statue which could not eat!
It is a book that will stay in my memory forever.
This book highlights the terrible truths about the war and the stain it has left on the world, and anyone who reads it cannot fail to be affected.
April 19, 2015
Some novels come along and grab you from the first page and keep you holding on until the last page. This was one such book. I simply couldn't put this one down.
Perhaps I was drawn to the story because I like non-fiction stories that include exotic locations, or perhaps it was the storyline itself: a young Norwegian family living in Indonesia find themselves suddenly prisoners of war under the Japanese, during World War II.
Although I was never a prisoner of war, I lived in Japan for a couple of years. While I was aware of the past, and of quietly buried legacies of World War II (shame and defeat among them)for the Japanese people, my experience with Japanese nationals occurred during a different, more peaceful era.
This woman's story is heartbreaking, hard to reconcile at times, yet I found myself rooting for her and her family as they scrounged for grains of rice in the dirt and fought off disease one long day at a time. The author and her family suffered extreme poverty, hunger, physical and emotional abuse and terror as innocent captives of war. Lise Kristensen deftly portrays the raw fear and uncertainty that defined life in the concentration camps of Indonesia.
While she didn't emerge unscathed from this experience, she survived. The role of the Japanese as aggressors during World War II has been documented, but as the author points out, not nearly as much as Hitler and Germany were.
Perhaps I was drawn to the story because I like non-fiction stories that include exotic locations, or perhaps it was the storyline itself: a young Norwegian family living in Indonesia find themselves suddenly prisoners of war under the Japanese, during World War II.
Although I was never a prisoner of war, I lived in Japan for a couple of years. While I was aware of the past, and of quietly buried legacies of World War II (shame and defeat among them)for the Japanese people, my experience with Japanese nationals occurred during a different, more peaceful era.
This woman's story is heartbreaking, hard to reconcile at times, yet I found myself rooting for her and her family as they scrounged for grains of rice in the dirt and fought off disease one long day at a time. The author and her family suffered extreme poverty, hunger, physical and emotional abuse and terror as innocent captives of war. Lise Kristensen deftly portrays the raw fear and uncertainty that defined life in the concentration camps of Indonesia.
While she didn't emerge unscathed from this experience, she survived. The role of the Japanese as aggressors during World War II has been documented, but as the author points out, not nearly as much as Hitler and Germany were.
August 18, 2020
Ja vien nelasītu angliski, pie manis nenonāktu šī emocionāli plosošā grāmata par kādu vēstures daļu, par kuru ģeogrāfiskā novietojuma dēļ mēs maz zinām, vai praktiski nezinām.
Lises Kristensenas biogrāfiskais darbs “The Blue Door” stāsta par viņas bērnību un piedzīvoto Indonēzijā-nokļūstot japāņu apcietinājumā un dažādās kara nometnēs. Tveice, tropu slimības, bads, netīrība, žurkas, magotu pārņemti līķi, karavīru lamas un varmācība-to visu piedzīvoja sagūstītie eiropieši, pārsvarā Nīderlandes izcelsmes Otrajā pasaules kara laikā. Kā autore raksta epilogā, dzīves pārbaudījumi jau nebeidzas izglābjoties, traumas velkas līdz kā ēna visu turpmāko dzīvi.
Lises Kristensenas biogrāfiskais darbs “The Blue Door” stāsta par viņas bērnību un piedzīvoto Indonēzijā-nokļūstot japāņu apcietinājumā un dažādās kara nometnēs. Tveice, tropu slimības, bads, netīrība, žurkas, magotu pārņemti līķi, karavīru lamas un varmācība-to visu piedzīvoja sagūstītie eiropieši, pārsvarā Nīderlandes izcelsmes Otrajā pasaules kara laikā. Kā autore raksta epilogā, dzīves pārbaudījumi jau nebeidzas izglābjoties, traumas velkas līdz kā ēna visu turpmāko dzīvi.
November 8, 2016
This is a non-fiction book provided as part of my November Book Buddy box from Elena Reads and what another amazing selection.
This is the story of a young Norwegian girl called Lise who is living with her family in Java during the second half of World War II when the Japanese invaded the country and placed a lot of men, women and children in prison camps and work camps.
This follows Lise's very personal journey and perspective of her life prior to imprisonment and her ability both mentally and physically to keep both herself, mother and siblings going during these dire times.
From the unfathomable treatment bestowed on the women and their children by the Japanese soldiers (who denied their part after the war in the atrocities), disease, work parties and so much more.
This courageous young ladies words had me rooting for her from the very first page to the last. She truly has a strong spirit which enables her to compartmentalise the atrocities she see's and experiences.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, this is a little documented part of World War II and unless your as old as I am and remember the BBC's tv adaptation of Tenko, the most exposure we've had to this area and time frame is from the perspective of the male work camps in the profoundly moving film The Bridge over the River Kwai with Alec Guinness.
With this month being Non-Fiction November, what better time than to learn something new and from the perspective of a profoundly humbling individual.
This is the story of a young Norwegian girl called Lise who is living with her family in Java during the second half of World War II when the Japanese invaded the country and placed a lot of men, women and children in prison camps and work camps.
This follows Lise's very personal journey and perspective of her life prior to imprisonment and her ability both mentally and physically to keep both herself, mother and siblings going during these dire times.
From the unfathomable treatment bestowed on the women and their children by the Japanese soldiers (who denied their part after the war in the atrocities), disease, work parties and so much more.
This courageous young ladies words had me rooting for her from the very first page to the last. She truly has a strong spirit which enables her to compartmentalise the atrocities she see's and experiences.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, this is a little documented part of World War II and unless your as old as I am and remember the BBC's tv adaptation of Tenko, the most exposure we've had to this area and time frame is from the perspective of the male work camps in the profoundly moving film The Bridge over the River Kwai with Alec Guinness.
With this month being Non-Fiction November, what better time than to learn something new and from the perspective of a profoundly humbling individual.
June 10, 2012
I was surprised to find this was a real account...as it first appeared as though it was a fictional novel from front and back cover. The very matter of fact story telling style protects the reader quite a lot I imagine from the real trauma suffered at the hands of the Japanese by this family and others during the 2nd world war. I'm very glad she chose to tell her story though as it was incredibly thought provoking. Sad and brave...perhaps a book everyone ought to read but not the kind of story you'd say you 'enjoyed'...one that makes you examine your own will, determination and stamina perhaps and think about your own family and how you may or may not have come out the other side of such an experience. Read it, you won't be disappointed, you will laugh and you will cry and you will still have it sitting with you as you turn on the tap for water, dress in clean clothes and relax into your soft bed at the end of the day. I send the author every best wish in the world, thank you for sharing your story.
April 29, 2016
A friend from work lend me this book saying it was quite depressing but that she was sure I was gonna love it. The term "love" is inappropriate as it feels even cruel to say that this is a "good" book. It's the heartbreaking story of a family destroyed by cruelty and violence, and more over by the aftermath of all this tragedy...
Lise's sad story doesn't stop at the camps but continues after with an coward father, a brave but too-ill to work mother, a society that was both understanding but judging all the same. Lise and her family struggled for years and the absence of recognition from the Japanese and the rest the world added to their martyr. The utter violence witnessed in the camp, the desensitization of human emotion, the lack of empathy it induced mixed with fear and hunger are sometimes almost impossible to read. I read this book in a few hours only because it simply didn't seem possible to simply close this book and sleep, waiting another day to learn what happened. This family deserved a few hours of my time for remembrance...
Lise's sad story doesn't stop at the camps but continues after with an coward father, a brave but too-ill to work mother, a society that was both understanding but judging all the same. Lise and her family struggled for years and the absence of recognition from the Japanese and the rest the world added to their martyr. The utter violence witnessed in the camp, the desensitization of human emotion, the lack of empathy it induced mixed with fear and hunger are sometimes almost impossible to read. I read this book in a few hours only because it simply didn't seem possible to simply close this book and sleep, waiting another day to learn what happened. This family deserved a few hours of my time for remembrance...
April 17, 2016
This is the most powerful book I have ever read. Being from Malaysia which also suffered from Japanese occupation, this book really hit close to home. I recalled the stories my greatgrandmother and grandmother told me and now realize they must have been hiding the worst. This is a book I'm extremely grateful for having read, as it makes me a more compassionate person. But I will never read it again. It was THAT powerful.
January 5, 2016
Erg beklijvend boek over een periode die in het westen te weinig bekend is. Er zijn geen woorden genoeg voor de gruwel die de auteur heeft meegemaakt. Haar boek spreekt voor zich. Erg moedig van haar om haar "herinneringen" aan het papier toe te vertrouwen. Verplichte lectuur wat mij betreft!
December 27, 2018
This book was amazing. Heartbreaking and enthralling, I could not put it down.
March 31, 2022
no words
January 18, 2015
** Books 21 - 2015 **
This books to accomplish New Author Reading Challenge 2015 and Yuk Baca Buku Non Fiksi 2015
4 of 5 stars!
Actually i have just random brought this books in kinokuniya books store since i curious why the story takes place in my country, Indonesia. It was a story about an Norwegian Family whose Lives in indonesia and they trapped into Japanese Camp.. Fyi, Indonesia was colonized by Japan in 1942 until 1945.
I have read many victims in their colonialization's time period such as :
1. It was more than 300.000 people became Romusa's victims (read Romusa: Sejarah yang Terlupakan)
2. Many girls treated as Jugun Ianfu or Sex Worker for japanese's Army (Read Perawan Dalam Cengkeraman Militer and Momoye: Mereka Memanggilku )
Now I read this story.. about an family being forced to works into an Japanese's military camp.. *it is really hurts me seriously.. :'(
There is a Norwegian Family consist to Mr. Daniel Gromm-Nielsen and Ms. Kirsten who were married in Java and then a few years later Lise Kirstensen was born in Surabaya in 1934, Karin was born in Kediri in 1936 and Lasse was born in October 7, 1942.. At that time Japanese military has came to their house and their nightmare has began..
Lise and her family (except her Dad) Being taken to the First Camp De Wijk and didn't even get proper treatment.. it really sad me when i read their conditions
"Mama made us work hard for the rest of the day as we cleaned the garage and made four beds from the cardboard and blankets that covered the car. I don't know how i slept in that filthy garage that first night, especially after i pulled at one of the blankets on the back seat of the old rusting car to reveal eight or nine squirmng, hairless, day-old baby rats" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 17)
"Poor Mama. She explained that no one had been to the toilet. Some of the ladies weresquatting down on the platform in desperation. The Japs looked on with great amusement, smiling and pointing at the woman as the platform became awash with hot, steaming urine. More and more ladies took the opportunity to relieve themselves. I couldn't describe the look before; they were fascinated and, although they were still forcing people onto the train, they seemed to be taking their time so that more and more woman would be forced into the ultimate humiliation" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 46)
In February 1944, They moved into a second Camp Bangkong's camp They hadn't given any food and water until they arrived at the destination. They have to stay in a church.. In these camp they fears some cruel moment that japanese military did to others people
"Girl never forget number again"
He reached forward and tugged at the girl's tight skin between her breast and collar bone. we watched in horror as he took the safety pin and began pushing in into her flesh. she cried out in pain as he punctured her skin. He shouted at her to be quiet. Immediately a flow of blood appeared and poured into her wet towel. He pulled at the skin even harder as the tears ran down the girl's face. - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 66)
They eventually got some education even it's secret and when the japanese's military known that activity the teacher, Miss Helena being punished four days without food, water and medical treatment until she died alone. T__T
The have to move into the third camp Lampersarie camp and their health were worsen than before. They being forced to eat bread taste penicilin and their mother was suffering from some diseases
"Mama was suffering from beriberi, malaria, and arthritis, and she spent most of the week in hospital. I visited her every day and made sure that Karin and Lasse always got their rations. Karin had given up the walk to the kitchen area now, she was simply too weak, and although i complained and tried to encourage her, i could see that her legs were incredibly thin and realized the enormous effort it took for her to walk just a few steps. As for Lasse, he just slept. And when he did wake up i noticed his smile and also gone, just like the ladies in the house, No one smiled, no one laughed, we just survived" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 161)
You have to read this books and i feel relieved when they released from the camp but i know this events will be haunting them forever and cannot be forgotten easily.
==============================================================
"I want closure on my times in the camps, and by writings this book i feel i have taken a huge step towards that. I want to be able to look a Japanese person in the eye and feel respect and not look upon him or her with fear and loathing. I want to be able to hug Japanese person comfortably, without the hairs on the back on my neck standing to attention and a cold sweating covering my back. I do
I wish i could go back in time and confront my tormentors. I wish i could say to them Do you realize that your barbaric actions, your murders, rape and torture, will never be forgotten? How would you feel if i tell you that your children, grand children and great-grandchildren will be looked upon with revulsion by certain members of society? would it have made a difference to the nation that knew no wrong?
I want Japan to say sorry in a symbolic gesture that is both sincere and meaningful, but i doubt that this will happen in my lifetime. Unfortunately 'forgiveness' is not in my vocabulary as far as the Japanese are concerned and therefore maybe my closure will never be complete" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 275-276)
This books to accomplish New Author Reading Challenge 2015 and Yuk Baca Buku Non Fiksi 2015
4 of 5 stars!
Actually i have just random brought this books in kinokuniya books store since i curious why the story takes place in my country, Indonesia. It was a story about an Norwegian Family whose Lives in indonesia and they trapped into Japanese Camp.. Fyi, Indonesia was colonized by Japan in 1942 until 1945.
I have read many victims in their colonialization's time period such as :
1. It was more than 300.000 people became Romusa's victims (read Romusa: Sejarah yang Terlupakan)
2. Many girls treated as Jugun Ianfu or Sex Worker for japanese's Army (Read Perawan Dalam Cengkeraman Militer and Momoye: Mereka Memanggilku )
Now I read this story.. about an family being forced to works into an Japanese's military camp.. *it is really hurts me seriously.. :'(
There is a Norwegian Family consist to Mr. Daniel Gromm-Nielsen and Ms. Kirsten who were married in Java and then a few years later Lise Kirstensen was born in Surabaya in 1934, Karin was born in Kediri in 1936 and Lasse was born in October 7, 1942.. At that time Japanese military has came to their house and their nightmare has began..
Lise and her family (except her Dad) Being taken to the First Camp De Wijk and didn't even get proper treatment.. it really sad me when i read their conditions
"Mama made us work hard for the rest of the day as we cleaned the garage and made four beds from the cardboard and blankets that covered the car. I don't know how i slept in that filthy garage that first night, especially after i pulled at one of the blankets on the back seat of the old rusting car to reveal eight or nine squirmng, hairless, day-old baby rats" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 17)
"Poor Mama. She explained that no one had been to the toilet. Some of the ladies weresquatting down on the platform in desperation. The Japs looked on with great amusement, smiling and pointing at the woman as the platform became awash with hot, steaming urine. More and more ladies took the opportunity to relieve themselves. I couldn't describe the look before; they were fascinated and, although they were still forcing people onto the train, they seemed to be taking their time so that more and more woman would be forced into the ultimate humiliation" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 46)
In February 1944, They moved into a second Camp Bangkong's camp They hadn't given any food and water until they arrived at the destination. They have to stay in a church.. In these camp they fears some cruel moment that japanese military did to others people
"Girl never forget number again"
He reached forward and tugged at the girl's tight skin between her breast and collar bone. we watched in horror as he took the safety pin and began pushing in into her flesh. she cried out in pain as he punctured her skin. He shouted at her to be quiet. Immediately a flow of blood appeared and poured into her wet towel. He pulled at the skin even harder as the tears ran down the girl's face. - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 66)
They eventually got some education even it's secret and when the japanese's military known that activity the teacher, Miss Helena being punished four days without food, water and medical treatment until she died alone. T__T
The have to move into the third camp Lampersarie camp and their health were worsen than before. They being forced to eat bread taste penicilin and their mother was suffering from some diseases
"Mama was suffering from beriberi, malaria, and arthritis, and she spent most of the week in hospital. I visited her every day and made sure that Karin and Lasse always got their rations. Karin had given up the walk to the kitchen area now, she was simply too weak, and although i complained and tried to encourage her, i could see that her legs were incredibly thin and realized the enormous effort it took for her to walk just a few steps. As for Lasse, he just slept. And when he did wake up i noticed his smile and also gone, just like the ladies in the house, No one smiled, no one laughed, we just survived" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 161)
You have to read this books and i feel relieved when they released from the camp but i know this events will be haunting them forever and cannot be forgotten easily.
==============================================================
"I want closure on my times in the camps, and by writings this book i feel i have taken a huge step towards that. I want to be able to look a Japanese person in the eye and feel respect and not look upon him or her with fear and loathing. I want to be able to hug Japanese person comfortably, without the hairs on the back on my neck standing to attention and a cold sweating covering my back. I do
I wish i could go back in time and confront my tormentors. I wish i could say to them Do you realize that your barbaric actions, your murders, rape and torture, will never be forgotten? How would you feel if i tell you that your children, grand children and great-grandchildren will be looked upon with revulsion by certain members of society? would it have made a difference to the nation that knew no wrong?
I want Japan to say sorry in a symbolic gesture that is both sincere and meaningful, but i doubt that this will happen in my lifetime. Unfortunately 'forgiveness' is not in my vocabulary as far as the Japanese are concerned and therefore maybe my closure will never be complete" - Lise Kirstensen (Pages 275-276)
September 18, 2021
A sobering, occasionally tearful, read about the tragic yet ennobling clash of cruelty and the will to survive, told from the perspective of a young Norwegian caught up in prisoner of war camps during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during the Second World War.
We are taught to forgive. In the face of a refusal to ask for forgiveness, however, it is understandable how innocent victims of that era’s unspeakable cruelty struggle to take that step.
We are taught to forgive. In the face of a refusal to ask for forgiveness, however, it is understandable how innocent victims of that era’s unspeakable cruelty struggle to take that step.
April 21, 2024
Als je mij volgt weet je dat 5 sterren een zeldzaamheid zijn en dat hou ik ook zo voor de pareltjes die ik lees. Dit is er zo eentje een kindje tijdens de gebeurtenissen en het boek is dan ook zo geschreven. Zij wordt gevangen genomen samen met haar broertje,zus en mama door de Japanners gedurende WOII. Er zijn niet heel veel boeken die de gruwelverhalen van daar vertellen en de meeste gaan over krijgsgevangenen. Hier gaat het wel degelijk over burgers die als kolonisten op Java leefden en worden geïnterneerd. Wees wel voorbereid op een schrijnend en onmenselijk verhaal maar wel goed gebracht. Zeker een aanrader als je dit genre van verhalen graag leest..
August 2, 2021
Prachtig boek dat je vastpakt en meeneemt door het oorlogsverhaal van Lise in een Japans krijgsgevangenenkamp op Java. Soms erg gedetailleerd en shockerend geschreven, maar hierdoor voel je wel mee met Lise en de anderen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
An area of WW2 history I had heard pieces about but I saw this book in the library and decided to give it a read.
Sometimes a very uncomfortable read. The narration was simple to read but the content was very comfortable. But history needed to be told. Lise's unrelenting drive to carry on was so admirable. Horrifying brutality but important to know of history.
Sometimes a very uncomfortable read. The narration was simple to read but the content was very comfortable. But history needed to be told. Lise's unrelenting drive to carry on was so admirable. Horrifying brutality but important to know of history.
April 16, 2023
Hartverscheurend, waargebeurd overlevingsverhaal van een meisje en haar familie in een Jappenkamp op Java. Honger, gruwelijke mishandelingen, ziekte enz. waren daar dagelijkse kost. Dit boek blijft plakken aan je hele zijn.
September 27, 2015
Dit waargebeurde verhaal heeft indruk op me gemaakt. Nu maken waargebeurde verhalen altijd indruk op me maar dit is het eerste waargebeurde verhaal dat ik lees over de oorlog. Lise is acht jaar oud als ze samen met haar moeder, zusje Karin en broertje Lasse opgepakt wordt en naar een jappenkamp vervoerd worden. De omstandigheden daar zijn gruwelijk en de beproevingen die ze moeten doorstaan zijn echt verschrikkelijk. Zo moeten ze vaak buigen voor de Japanners (dit heet Tenko), soms urenlang, zodra er mensen door hun knieën zakken, krijgen ze er van langs. Lise moet nog een paar keer "verhuizen" naar een ander kamp, dit betekende een urenlange wandeling in de brandende zon zonder een slokje water, natuurlijk hadden de japanse soldaten wel voldoende water bij zich. In het kamp heerst hongersnood en al snel raakt Lise bedreven in het stelen van voedsel. Zelf vind ze het stelen verschrikkelijk maar ze moet wel om te overleven, ook is ze door alles wat ze heeft meegemaakt gehard geraakt, dit kan ik me ook wel voorstellen, de mensen die gestraft worden kun je toch niet helpen en ik denk dat je er dan ook alles aan doet om zelf geen slachtoffer van een afranseling te worden. Wonder boven wonder weet het gezin te overleven, ook vader, die in een ander kamp ondergebracht was overleeft de oorlog. Het gezin keert uiteindelijk terug naar hun vaderland Noorwegen. Ik was echt van begin tot eind geboeid door het verhaal en kan maar nauwelijks bevatten dat dit allemaal echt gebeurd is. Lise schrijft ook op het eind van het boek dat ze dit altijd met zich mee blijft dragen tot het einde van haar leven. Door de prettige manier waarop het boek geschreven is en het boeiende verhaal, lees je het in een mum van tijd uit. Heftig en gruwelijk verhaal maar een ontzettend goed boek!
April 29, 2019
Lise' experiences as a child in Japanese POW camps on Java were terrible and I must say parts made me feel a little emotional (which is unusual). The Pacific War is often forgotten or at least overlooked, but we must remember what happened just as much and hope that it is never repeated.
This account is definitely worth a read - Mum you will need tissues!
This account is definitely worth a read - Mum you will need tissues!
February 29, 2012
In The Blue Door the author, Lise Kristensen, tells the story of her family's incarceration in a Japanese POW camp on the Indonesian island of Java during the Second World War. She was only 9 when she, her mother and siblings were separated from her father and taken to the first of the terrible camps they were to inhabit.
The book is written in a very clear, spare style which I feel conveys the horror of the situation more strongly than a more descriptive style. The author is very matter-of-fact about what happened to her as she had no choice but to endure it.
While the style of the book makes it easy to read, it is difficult to read in every other sense as the events described are often more horrible that the reader can imagine. It's not a book to be read for enjoyment, but rather to serve as a reminder of man's inhumanity to man and why this should be stopped whenever possible.
The brief section at the end of the book about Lise's life after the war underlines that even those who survived these terrible experiences were irreparably damaged by them and will be for the rest of their lives.
A very brave and moving book.
The book is written in a very clear, spare style which I feel conveys the horror of the situation more strongly than a more descriptive style. The author is very matter-of-fact about what happened to her as she had no choice but to endure it.
While the style of the book makes it easy to read, it is difficult to read in every other sense as the events described are often more horrible that the reader can imagine. It's not a book to be read for enjoyment, but rather to serve as a reminder of man's inhumanity to man and why this should be stopped whenever possible.
The brief section at the end of the book about Lise's life after the war underlines that even those who survived these terrible experiences were irreparably damaged by them and will be for the rest of their lives.
A very brave and moving book.
August 4, 2015
At every stage of schooling I was taught about Germany, Russia, England, and Poland during world war 2, but, with the exception of Pearl Harbour and the atomic bombs, the events to the East were never covered. Even these events were only covered from the American perspective.
The Blue Door has given me a knowledge and appreciation for the horrors suffered in Japanese POW camps, and being from the perspective of a cold makes it even more heartbreaking. Children have an incredible resilience that allows them to keep going through traumatic experiences, with damage that only shows fully later in life. Lise gets this sense across brilliantly in The Blue Door, describing the confusion of a child but not writing in a way that is intentionally trying to pull at the reader's heart strings. At times the events are described almost matter-of-fact.
A brilliant memoir that shows just how cruel humans can be to each other for very little reason.
The Blue Door has given me a knowledge and appreciation for the horrors suffered in Japanese POW camps, and being from the perspective of a cold makes it even more heartbreaking. Children have an incredible resilience that allows them to keep going through traumatic experiences, with damage that only shows fully later in life. Lise gets this sense across brilliantly in The Blue Door, describing the confusion of a child but not writing in a way that is intentionally trying to pull at the reader's heart strings. At times the events are described almost matter-of-fact.
A brilliant memoir that shows just how cruel humans can be to each other for very little reason.
October 3, 2016
Waargebeurde verhalen over de oorlog. Er zijn er al veel geschreven en ik heb er al enkele gelezen. Altijd pakt je dat aan je hart. Je kan je het niet zelf voorstellen wat zij allemaal hebben meegemaakt. Ook nu met dit boek hoop ik steeds dat ik dit zelf nooit moet meemaken. Wat Lise, haar zus, broer en ouders hebben meegemaakt is niet voor te stellen. Wat kleine Lise allemaal heeft gedaan om niet dood de gaan van de honger. Wat ze voor haar moeder en zus en broer allemaal doet om aan eten te geraken. Na de oorlog proberen ze zo goed en kwaad als ze kunnen hun leven terug op te nemen. Vergeten kunnen ze natuurlijk niet en lichamelijk blijven ze de gevolgen de rest van hun leven voelen.
Het boek is heel vlot geschreven en pakt je mee naar een leven in de oorlog. Iets dat nooit mag vergeten worden.
Heel pakkend verhaal.
Het boek is heel vlot geschreven en pakt je mee naar een leven in de oorlog. Iets dat nooit mag vergeten worden.
Heel pakkend verhaal.
April 8, 2016
The book provides an individual perspective on the Japanese camps in Indonesia during WWII. I thought it was interesting that it was written in such a simple way as if we really listed to the 10-years-old Lisemor and how she perceived the war. As a European, I was interested in reading what happened on the other side of the world at the time when Nazis where killing Jews over here. I was disappointed to find out that such terrible violations of human rights were also present in Indonesia. I would recommend this book, but I myself didn't read it word-by-word.
July 9, 2017
This is the story of how a 10 year old girl and her family survived in the Japanese POW camps of Java. A lot is known about the German camps but not the Japanese and they were just as horrendous. As a child she admittedly was not aware of the full horror but none of the family fully recovered from the experience. After the war ended a civil war broke out on Java where the natives tried to kill any surviving white person. It is a miracle they made it back to Norway at all. This is a worthwhile book about survival against all odds.
November 29, 2018
I've always enjoyed reading war-based novels and this one was fantastic, if not obviously very sad and harrowing for those that lived it!
The story is told through the innocent eyes of a young girl taken captive by the Japanese with her mother and siblings. There are a lot of terrible events that happen through their journey in the prisoner camp and truly make you thankful for never having to experience it.
I especially enjoyed the ending which gives you more detail into her life 'after'.
A very good read.
The story is told through the innocent eyes of a young girl taken captive by the Japanese with her mother and siblings. There are a lot of terrible events that happen through their journey in the prisoner camp and truly make you thankful for never having to experience it.
I especially enjoyed the ending which gives you more detail into her life 'after'.
A very good read.
July 19, 2013
Told through the eyes of a child POW during WW2, the language used is raw, simple & at times, blunt, which hits like a brick wall. Insightful read as this autobiography sheds new light on the lesser told stories of victims in countries such as Java during the Japanese occupation.
At many points in the book, I had to pause & wish that I was reading a work of fiction. Deeply disturbing & highly evocative.
At many points in the book, I had to pause & wish that I was reading a work of fiction. Deeply disturbing & highly evocative.
July 8, 2013
I felt a bit ignorant after reading this book. I had never known that in Java people were not safe from Hilter and his war. This book is difficult to read because its true and even although Lise survives the Japanese terror the damage that is done to her is very deep. Its beautifully written but very sad.
April 28, 2016
This account of a Norwegian woman's experience in a Japanese POW camp in Java is told in a simple style as she was only ten years old when her family was swept out of their comfortable life and into the brutality of camp life under the Japanese.her account really points out that war is corrupt and brutal and the real victims are the women, children and men who are in its path
September 24, 2016
Seldom we have heard about Japanese concentration camps. "The little captive" is all about that; the torment a Norwegian family had to undergo at a Japanese concentration camp at Java (Indonesia) during the second world war. Emotionally a tough read and may be quite depressing at some times. Yet, will never disappoint.
October 29, 2016
This is a hard book to read if you keep remembering that it isn't fiction. You know at a basic level that the author survives. There are many times I found myself reading, guessing what was coming next but also hoping it wouldn't happen. I'm so pleased this is the November Book Buddy Box pick - I doubt I would have found this book otherwise.
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