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When We Were Young & Brave
Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war. . .
China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge.
Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety.
Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await . . .
Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.
China, December 1941. Having left an unhappy life in England for a teaching post at a missionary school in northern China, Elspeth Kent is now anxious to return home to help the war effort. But as she prepares to leave China, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those in her charge.
Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School, protected by her British status. But when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school and the security and comforts Nancy and her friends are used to are replaced by privation, uncertainty and fear. Now the enemy, and separated from their parents, the children look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety.
Faced with the relentless challenges of oppression, the school community must rely on their courage, faith and friendships as they pray for liberation – but worse is to come when they are sent to a distant internment camp where even greater uncertainty and danger await . . .
Inspired by true events, When We Were Young and Brave is an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2020
1280 people are currently reading
20228 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Gaynor
22 books3,930 followersHazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times and internationally bestselling author of historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel award and the 2024 Audie award for Best Fiction Narrator, she was also shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown, and the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards.
She is a regular speaker at literary festivals, co-founder of The Inspiration Project, and programmed and hosted a series of Historia Live events in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in 2024. Her work is translated into 20 languages and published in twenty-seven territories to date. Her latest novel, Before Dorothy, the imagine life story of Dorothy’s Aunt Em from The Wizard of Oz, will be published in June 2025.
Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards.
She is a regular speaker at literary festivals, co-founder of The Inspiration Project, and programmed and hosted a series of Historia Live events in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in 2024. Her work is translated into 20 languages and published in twenty-seven territories to date. Her latest novel, Before Dorothy, the imagine life story of Dorothy’s Aunt Em from The Wizard of Oz, will be published in June 2025.
Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,734 reviews
September 8, 2020
Made it as far as 40% and realised this really wasn’t bringing me joy. It’s not that the book is bad by any means but it felt like a YA novel and not what I was expecting. I enjoy historical fiction but this had no real bite to it and actually felt quite childish. .
I was drawn to this one by the premise of the story which is set in China 1n 1941. japan has just declared war on the Allies. Elspeth Kent is a teacher at the missionary school where 10 year old Nancy Plummer is a boarder. When the teachers and students are sent to a distant Interment camp, unimaginable hardship and choices lie ahead for them.
While based on true events, the story is told from two viewpoints, one of Nancy and the other of the teacher Elspeth. The format works quite well but for some read I just couldn't connect with the story at all. I felt it lacks luster and underwhelming. I listened to the audio version and by 40% I realised I really wasn’t interested enough to continue.
This certainly isn't a bad book by any means, It’s just not the type of historical fiction I enjoy.
I was drawn to this one by the premise of the story which is set in China 1n 1941. japan has just declared war on the Allies. Elspeth Kent is a teacher at the missionary school where 10 year old Nancy Plummer is a boarder. When the teachers and students are sent to a distant Interment camp, unimaginable hardship and choices lie ahead for them.
While based on true events, the story is told from two viewpoints, one of Nancy and the other of the teacher Elspeth. The format works quite well but for some read I just couldn't connect with the story at all. I felt it lacks luster and underwhelming. I listened to the audio version and by 40% I realised I really wasn’t interested enough to continue.
This certainly isn't a bad book by any means, It’s just not the type of historical fiction I enjoy.
April 12, 2021
4+ stars!
An informative and harrowing yet hopeful wartime story.
This novel was inspired by true events surrounding a British-run missionary school in China during WWII. The main narrators are Elspeth Kent, a young teacher at the school, and ten-year-old student, Nancy Plummer. The Japanese army takes control of the school, moving the entire faculty and student base to several different camps where they are faced with hunger, filthy living conditions and a constant sense of danger.
Both of the main perspectives were done very well. Miss Kent and Nancy were both endearing, naive, brave and unique characters who provided important insight into the atrocities and uncertainties of the time. My heart felt for both of them, especially young Nancy who desperately missed and longed for a reunion with her mother during her time at the school. My heart broke for her and I had tears welling in my eyes more than a few times when reading her chapters. Miss Kent’s perspective clearly showed the resilience of the human spirit and how having to be strong and brave for others helps you to stay strong yourself.
A theme throughout the novel was how even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life. I enjoyed how that shone through the story even though it was a devastating and awful situation. There was a sense of hope that helped everyone move forward and fight to survive these horrific times.
I have read and enjoyed two other books by this author, The Girl From The Savoy and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. While I didn’t love this one quite as much as The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, it was still an excellent read that showcased unforgettable characters and a fresh perspective on WWII. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Edelweiss for my review copy!
An informative and harrowing yet hopeful wartime story.
This novel was inspired by true events surrounding a British-run missionary school in China during WWII. The main narrators are Elspeth Kent, a young teacher at the school, and ten-year-old student, Nancy Plummer. The Japanese army takes control of the school, moving the entire faculty and student base to several different camps where they are faced with hunger, filthy living conditions and a constant sense of danger.
Both of the main perspectives were done very well. Miss Kent and Nancy were both endearing, naive, brave and unique characters who provided important insight into the atrocities and uncertainties of the time. My heart felt for both of them, especially young Nancy who desperately missed and longed for a reunion with her mother during her time at the school. My heart broke for her and I had tears welling in my eyes more than a few times when reading her chapters. Miss Kent’s perspective clearly showed the resilience of the human spirit and how having to be strong and brave for others helps you to stay strong yourself.
A theme throughout the novel was how even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life. I enjoyed how that shone through the story even though it was a devastating and awful situation. There was a sense of hope that helped everyone move forward and fight to survive these horrific times.
I have read and enjoyed two other books by this author, The Girl From The Savoy and The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. While I didn’t love this one quite as much as The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, it was still an excellent read that showcased unforgettable characters and a fresh perspective on WWII. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Edelweiss for my review copy!
August 31, 2020
Thanks to Edelweiss, HarperCollins and Hazel Gaynor for my copy of: When We Were Young & Brave.
China 1941, the children of Chefoo missionary school are eagerly looking forward to Christmas and it’s only a few weeks away. Elspeth Kent is one of the teachers at the school and she’s been seriously considering returning home to England. She has no idea that she will not be leaving China and she will be one of the main leaders to help guide her fellow teachers and students through years of Japanese oppression.
The Japanese forces arrive and take over the school, the comfortable life of the students, teachers and Chinese staff are used to changes very quickly. This is due to Japan attacking Pearl Harbor and both Britain and America declare war on Japan.
Nancy Plummer (Plum) and her friends Dorothy (Sprout) and Joan (Mouse) are students at the school, they have always felt safe, secure and have been well looked after. Suddenly the children and staff are cut off from their loved ones, the outside world by WW II and the Japanese army. Miss Kent and her student Girl Guide patrol use many of the Guides mottoes, their new experiences and challenges as a way of earning their badges and dealing with difficult tasks. During their time as enemy nationals, they are moved around China from one place to another and their last destination is a Civilian Assembly Center in Weihsien. Living conditions here are very primitive; the Japanese soldiers in charge are difficult, the food is terrible and not enough for growing children, medical supplies are running low and they all start to look very shabby and thin. Here the everyday struggles of teachers and students in such a horrible environment require them all to show incredible courage, strength, and determination to survive, guiding them is the formidable Miss Kent and they all pray to be liberated soon by the American army.
Inspired by true facts, When We Were Young and Brave is an amazing story of human spirit, the strong bond and trust formed between teachers and students, friendship made and never giving up despite the harshness of WW II and the nastiness of the Japanese army and guards. Hazel Gaynor’s books never disappoint her attention to detail and her thorough research is obvious when you read her new book. I thoroughly enjoyed When We Were Young & Brave and five stars from me.
China 1941, the children of Chefoo missionary school are eagerly looking forward to Christmas and it’s only a few weeks away. Elspeth Kent is one of the teachers at the school and she’s been seriously considering returning home to England. She has no idea that she will not be leaving China and she will be one of the main leaders to help guide her fellow teachers and students through years of Japanese oppression.
The Japanese forces arrive and take over the school, the comfortable life of the students, teachers and Chinese staff are used to changes very quickly. This is due to Japan attacking Pearl Harbor and both Britain and America declare war on Japan.
Nancy Plummer (Plum) and her friends Dorothy (Sprout) and Joan (Mouse) are students at the school, they have always felt safe, secure and have been well looked after. Suddenly the children and staff are cut off from their loved ones, the outside world by WW II and the Japanese army. Miss Kent and her student Girl Guide patrol use many of the Guides mottoes, their new experiences and challenges as a way of earning their badges and dealing with difficult tasks. During their time as enemy nationals, they are moved around China from one place to another and their last destination is a Civilian Assembly Center in Weihsien. Living conditions here are very primitive; the Japanese soldiers in charge are difficult, the food is terrible and not enough for growing children, medical supplies are running low and they all start to look very shabby and thin. Here the everyday struggles of teachers and students in such a horrible environment require them all to show incredible courage, strength, and determination to survive, guiding them is the formidable Miss Kent and they all pray to be liberated soon by the American army.
Inspired by true facts, When We Were Young and Brave is an amazing story of human spirit, the strong bond and trust formed between teachers and students, friendship made and never giving up despite the harshness of WW II and the nastiness of the Japanese army and guards. Hazel Gaynor’s books never disappoint her attention to detail and her thorough research is obvious when you read her new book. I thoroughly enjoyed When We Were Young & Brave and five stars from me.
October 2, 2020
5+ Favorite Reads of 2020 Stars
This one just made me so happy! Not because of the content, but for the feelings, I loved to connect to the characters in this one. I loved the way this book was structured, the atmosphere and characters, and I shed some tears! I’ve read several others by this author and they just get better and better!
Set in China during WWII at a British missionary school (Chefoo), this one has alternating chapters from Elspeth – a teacher at the school – and Nancy at 10-year-old student. Another facet of WWII fiction that I hadn’t read about until this book. Japan has invaded China and soon Japanese soldiers have a presence at the school.
Elspeth escaped to China after tragedy dealt her a raw hand in England. She is a wonderful teacher and role model for the students at the school, but she’s grappling with her past. Elspeth and her fellow teachers try to keep structure and learning as the driving forces of the day, but it’s difficult with the troops there. With radios confiscated, they are feeling very isolated.
Nancy, like many of the students, has parents who are diplomats or missionaries, and the students have built strong bonds that are shaken with the unknowns of what will happen with the war and their school. They look to their teachers for guidance and reassurance. Nancy has wonderful friends and I loved their nicknames – Sprout and Mouse – and they grow up and face challenges during the course of the book. I loved getting Nancy’s perspective on the situation and her outlook on life.
There are some great pieces in the book with the Girl Guides and how many of the guiding principles of this club keep the girls going, earning new badges and having ceremonies, even while the school is under Japanese control.
As the war goes on, the 100 school children must move to different facilities and are ultimately sent to an internment camp. There are some decent Japanese guards and some evil ones that the Chefusians encounter. There are supply and food shortages and the constant fear under the soldiers. The teachers did a great job with being role models and substitute parents for the students amidst terrible circumstances.
This one is based on true events and meticulously researched. Gaynor has a way of writing that completely immersed me in this place and time. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to Book Club Girls/Harper Collins/Morrow for the complimentary copy of this one to read.
This one just made me so happy! Not because of the content, but for the feelings, I loved to connect to the characters in this one. I loved the way this book was structured, the atmosphere and characters, and I shed some tears! I’ve read several others by this author and they just get better and better!
Set in China during WWII at a British missionary school (Chefoo), this one has alternating chapters from Elspeth – a teacher at the school – and Nancy at 10-year-old student. Another facet of WWII fiction that I hadn’t read about until this book. Japan has invaded China and soon Japanese soldiers have a presence at the school.
Elspeth escaped to China after tragedy dealt her a raw hand in England. She is a wonderful teacher and role model for the students at the school, but she’s grappling with her past. Elspeth and her fellow teachers try to keep structure and learning as the driving forces of the day, but it’s difficult with the troops there. With radios confiscated, they are feeling very isolated.
Nancy, like many of the students, has parents who are diplomats or missionaries, and the students have built strong bonds that are shaken with the unknowns of what will happen with the war and their school. They look to their teachers for guidance and reassurance. Nancy has wonderful friends and I loved their nicknames – Sprout and Mouse – and they grow up and face challenges during the course of the book. I loved getting Nancy’s perspective on the situation and her outlook on life.
There are some great pieces in the book with the Girl Guides and how many of the guiding principles of this club keep the girls going, earning new badges and having ceremonies, even while the school is under Japanese control.
As the war goes on, the 100 school children must move to different facilities and are ultimately sent to an internment camp. There are some decent Japanese guards and some evil ones that the Chefusians encounter. There are supply and food shortages and the constant fear under the soldiers. The teachers did a great job with being role models and substitute parents for the students amidst terrible circumstances.
This one is based on true events and meticulously researched. Gaynor has a way of writing that completely immersed me in this place and time. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to Book Club Girls/Harper Collins/Morrow for the complimentary copy of this one to read.
October 27, 2020
My initial reaction when I finished reading this book was one of disappointment – not because the book was bad or anything like that, but rather, I had gone into this one with certain expectations and in the end, felt completely let down. This is mostly my fault, as I realize now that if I had read the premise more carefully, or had done a little research going in (which I typically do with historical fiction but didn’t with this one due to time constraints), it should’ve been pretty obvious that the expectations I had about the story would not have been warranted.
Set in China starting in 1941, the story revolves around Chefoo School, a British-run school for children of missionaries (mostly from Europe, Australia, and the United States) that functioned very similarly to a boarding school, where the children were taken care of mostly by the teachers and the staff and would only see their parents a few times a year. The story is narrated in alternating viewpoints by Elspeth Kent – one of the teachers at the school – and Nancy Plummer, who started attending Chefoo School at 8 years old. When war breaks out and Japanese forces invade China, the school comes under the rule of the Japanese Imperial Army. With guards watching their every move, the students and staff become enemy prisoners whose lives constantly hang in the balance. Later, when the army takes over the school to use as a training base, everyone is forced to relocate, first to a rundown housing complex, then to internment camps where they remain through the end of the war. In the face of numerous challenges and hardships living in the midst of war, it is the bond that forms between these students and teachers that sustain them through the most difficult of days as well as through lifetimes.
For me, the mark of good historical fiction is its ability to make the reader feel like we’ve been transported back to a particular time and place – the truly great works go a step beyond in that they make us feel like we are actually living the characters’ realities and experiencing what they go through first-hand. Unfortunately, with Hazel Gaynor’s latest book, When We Were Young and Brave, I did not experience what I usually do reading historical fiction (which is definitely an issue, since historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read). The biggest problem I have with this book is that the portrayal of time and place in the story was not strong, which made it difficult to feel transported. The setting of the story was in China during Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, but to be honest, I felt like the story could’ve taken place anywhere during that same time period and it still would’ve been essentially the same story, as there were basically no cultural elements to speak of in the story outside of a handful of references to Chinese cities and also two Chinese servants who worked at the school. The ambiguous way in which the setting was portrayed in the story is actually one of the things that bothered me the most. But again, it goes back to my sensitivities perhaps being different from other readers due to my cultural background and familiarity with this particular period of history. To put it more clearly -- given the location and time period in which the story takes place, I was expecting there to be a certain amount of historical and cultural relevance that would’ve tied the story to the setting in a more significant, meaningful way – but that didn’t happen with this book, which is the main reason why I felt disappointed. Despite the knowledge going into this one that the story was based on true events, I still couldn’t help wondering, at numerous points while I was reading, why the author would choose to set the story in China during World War II when, technically, neither element was truly significant to the story.
The other area where I felt let down was the lack of emotional depth to the story. Perhaps because of the above-mentioned issues I had with the sense of time and place, I felt like it was difficult for me to get into the story. Each chapter was narrated from the characters’ first-person point of view, which normally would make it easier to empathize with the characters, but yet, throughout the entire story, I didn’t really feel much for the characters, despite the ordeals they endured. To me, the way the story was told, it felt emotionally detached, as though the narrators were reciting facts rather than a lived experience. Of course, that’s not to say that the story wasn’t important, as I’m a strong believer that all stories — especially personal stories — are significant and important in their own way. But I think the way the story is presented matters as well and in this instance, the story as presented didn’t really work for me.
With all that said, there were things that I did like about this one and the reading experience wasn’t all bad, which is why I ended up rating this one 3 stars despite the issues I had with it. And it definitely hasn’t put me off from reading this author’s other works, as I truly feel that this was just an instance of this particular book not being right for me. Hopefully the next one will work out better.
Received ARC from William Morrow via NetGalley
Set in China starting in 1941, the story revolves around Chefoo School, a British-run school for children of missionaries (mostly from Europe, Australia, and the United States) that functioned very similarly to a boarding school, where the children were taken care of mostly by the teachers and the staff and would only see their parents a few times a year. The story is narrated in alternating viewpoints by Elspeth Kent – one of the teachers at the school – and Nancy Plummer, who started attending Chefoo School at 8 years old. When war breaks out and Japanese forces invade China, the school comes under the rule of the Japanese Imperial Army. With guards watching their every move, the students and staff become enemy prisoners whose lives constantly hang in the balance. Later, when the army takes over the school to use as a training base, everyone is forced to relocate, first to a rundown housing complex, then to internment camps where they remain through the end of the war. In the face of numerous challenges and hardships living in the midst of war, it is the bond that forms between these students and teachers that sustain them through the most difficult of days as well as through lifetimes.
For me, the mark of good historical fiction is its ability to make the reader feel like we’ve been transported back to a particular time and place – the truly great works go a step beyond in that they make us feel like we are actually living the characters’ realities and experiencing what they go through first-hand. Unfortunately, with Hazel Gaynor’s latest book, When We Were Young and Brave, I did not experience what I usually do reading historical fiction (which is definitely an issue, since historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read). The biggest problem I have with this book is that the portrayal of time and place in the story was not strong, which made it difficult to feel transported. The setting of the story was in China during Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, but to be honest, I felt like the story could’ve taken place anywhere during that same time period and it still would’ve been essentially the same story, as there were basically no cultural elements to speak of in the story outside of a handful of references to Chinese cities and also two Chinese servants who worked at the school. The ambiguous way in which the setting was portrayed in the story is actually one of the things that bothered me the most. But again, it goes back to my sensitivities perhaps being different from other readers due to my cultural background and familiarity with this particular period of history. To put it more clearly -- given the location and time period in which the story takes place, I was expecting there to be a certain amount of historical and cultural relevance that would’ve tied the story to the setting in a more significant, meaningful way – but that didn’t happen with this book, which is the main reason why I felt disappointed. Despite the knowledge going into this one that the story was based on true events, I still couldn’t help wondering, at numerous points while I was reading, why the author would choose to set the story in China during World War II when, technically, neither element was truly significant to the story.
The other area where I felt let down was the lack of emotional depth to the story. Perhaps because of the above-mentioned issues I had with the sense of time and place, I felt like it was difficult for me to get into the story. Each chapter was narrated from the characters’ first-person point of view, which normally would make it easier to empathize with the characters, but yet, throughout the entire story, I didn’t really feel much for the characters, despite the ordeals they endured. To me, the way the story was told, it felt emotionally detached, as though the narrators were reciting facts rather than a lived experience. Of course, that’s not to say that the story wasn’t important, as I’m a strong believer that all stories — especially personal stories — are significant and important in their own way. But I think the way the story is presented matters as well and in this instance, the story as presented didn’t really work for me.
With all that said, there were things that I did like about this one and the reading experience wasn’t all bad, which is why I ended up rating this one 3 stars despite the issues I had with it. And it definitely hasn’t put me off from reading this author’s other works, as I truly feel that this was just an instance of this particular book not being right for me. Hopefully the next one will work out better.
Received ARC from William Morrow via NetGalley
October 6, 2020
Nancy Plummer was hoping to go home for Christmas, but her mother wrote she wouldn't be able to.
Elspeth Kent was hoping to hand in her resignation, but wasn't able to.
What kept them from their wishes is that in 1941 the Japanese army took over their British-run school, Chefoo, after Pearl Harbor was bombed.
The students and teachers were confined to the premises for a year and then made to move to another school. The new school was in terrible condition, but they made the best of it and hoped every day that they would be rescued by their countrymen.
After being moved to the second school, they were again moved but to a camp. Life was pretty normal except for being kept inside with guards and the lack of sanitation and food.
The book is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Nancy a student and Elspeth a teacher.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have.
Ms. Gaynor portrayed the characters perfectly, and you could feel what they were feeling.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE was a bit slow at first, but once you get to know the characters, you will be drawn in as I was.
This book is about friendship, courage, hope, and endurance. It is a beautiful book that will have you appreciating your freedom and your family.
Miss Gaynor’s meticulous research had me looking for more information about the lives of the teachers and students and more about the Chefoo school. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Elspeth Kent was hoping to hand in her resignation, but wasn't able to.
What kept them from their wishes is that in 1941 the Japanese army took over their British-run school, Chefoo, after Pearl Harbor was bombed.
The students and teachers were confined to the premises for a year and then made to move to another school. The new school was in terrible condition, but they made the best of it and hoped every day that they would be rescued by their countrymen.
After being moved to the second school, they were again moved but to a camp. Life was pretty normal except for being kept inside with guards and the lack of sanitation and food.
The book is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Nancy a student and Elspeth a teacher.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is based on true events which I never was aware of, but it shows the resiliency and creativity of human nature to work with what you have.
Ms. Gaynor portrayed the characters perfectly, and you could feel what they were feeling.
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE was a bit slow at first, but once you get to know the characters, you will be drawn in as I was.
This book is about friendship, courage, hope, and endurance. It is a beautiful book that will have you appreciating your freedom and your family.
Miss Gaynor’s meticulous research had me looking for more information about the lives of the teachers and students and more about the Chefoo school. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2020
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4.5 stars
Irish Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor returns with her new historical novel, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. A compelling and heart rendering tale, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage relays a story of war, separation, friendship, hardship, loyalty, resilience, courage and strength. An unforgettable cast, a rich historical background and a vivid setting base defines this strong new novel from trusted author Hazel Gaynor.
Based in China in the early 1940s, we meet Elspeth, a missionary school teacher who finds her life and the students in her care in danger when soldiers descend on their school. Life at the missionary school soon changes as anxiety and uncertainty takes hold. For little Nancy Plummer, her life as a student at the missionary school is forever changed by the onslaught of the soldiers on their living quarters. Life soon becomes even tougher for this school community when they are banished from Chefoo and sent far away to an internment camp. This is an overwhelming time of fear, peril and hard times. To survive they must rely on each other and the bonds they have formed to overcome these challenging times.
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is the sixth independent release by Hazel Gaynor. Hazel Gaynor is also known for her collaboration efforts with fellow historical fiction novelist Heather Webb, but The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is her own historical fiction release. I really appreciated the level of historical detail and insight that this book offered.
Narrated from two very different but highly compelling points of view, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a moving tale that shifts effortlessly from a missionary teacher’s perspective to a student in her care. I really appreciated the technique of employing two connecting but contrasted viewpoints to unveil this remarkable historical tale. I think Hazel Gaynor did an excellent job of capturing the innocence and naivety of student Nancy. This is offset by Elspeth Kent’s experiences as a devoted missionary teacher. Elspeth must summon all the strength, courage and leadership she can to rally her student troops in the tough times they face throughout this tale.
Hazel Gaynor presents and enlightening and historically well informed account of occupied China during the Second World War. The uncertain times and the situations faced by the Chefoo School community utterly broke my heart. However, the courage, inner strength and bravery displayed by these women, children and staff warmed my heart. I think that this aspect of the novel truly made it a special read.
A five page author note, a further reading page and a set of discussion questions supports The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. There is absolutely no doubting the commitment to the research side of things Hazel Gaynor has applied to her new novel. I came away feeling not only impressed, but historically better informed thanks to the events covered in The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. Most of all, I valued the focus on the Girl Guides and Brownies within the context of the war. As a Brownie in my younger days, I found this to be an excellent angle to focus on for a historical fiction novel.
Hazel Gaynor has successfully composed a touching tale of friendship, hope, endurance and positivity in the face of war. I think that readers who have a vested interest in wartime relations will find The Bird in the Bamboo Cage to be a worthwhile experience.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
4.5 stars
Irish Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor returns with her new historical novel, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. A compelling and heart rendering tale, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage relays a story of war, separation, friendship, hardship, loyalty, resilience, courage and strength. An unforgettable cast, a rich historical background and a vivid setting base defines this strong new novel from trusted author Hazel Gaynor.
Based in China in the early 1940s, we meet Elspeth, a missionary school teacher who finds her life and the students in her care in danger when soldiers descend on their school. Life at the missionary school soon changes as anxiety and uncertainty takes hold. For little Nancy Plummer, her life as a student at the missionary school is forever changed by the onslaught of the soldiers on their living quarters. Life soon becomes even tougher for this school community when they are banished from Chefoo and sent far away to an internment camp. This is an overwhelming time of fear, peril and hard times. To survive they must rely on each other and the bonds they have formed to overcome these challenging times.
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is the sixth independent release by Hazel Gaynor. Hazel Gaynor is also known for her collaboration efforts with fellow historical fiction novelist Heather Webb, but The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is her own historical fiction release. I really appreciated the level of historical detail and insight that this book offered.
Narrated from two very different but highly compelling points of view, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a moving tale that shifts effortlessly from a missionary teacher’s perspective to a student in her care. I really appreciated the technique of employing two connecting but contrasted viewpoints to unveil this remarkable historical tale. I think Hazel Gaynor did an excellent job of capturing the innocence and naivety of student Nancy. This is offset by Elspeth Kent’s experiences as a devoted missionary teacher. Elspeth must summon all the strength, courage and leadership she can to rally her student troops in the tough times they face throughout this tale.
Hazel Gaynor presents and enlightening and historically well informed account of occupied China during the Second World War. The uncertain times and the situations faced by the Chefoo School community utterly broke my heart. However, the courage, inner strength and bravery displayed by these women, children and staff warmed my heart. I think that this aspect of the novel truly made it a special read.
A five page author note, a further reading page and a set of discussion questions supports The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. There is absolutely no doubting the commitment to the research side of things Hazel Gaynor has applied to her new novel. I came away feeling not only impressed, but historically better informed thanks to the events covered in The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. Most of all, I valued the focus on the Girl Guides and Brownies within the context of the war. As a Brownie in my younger days, I found this to be an excellent angle to focus on for a historical fiction novel.
Hazel Gaynor has successfully composed a touching tale of friendship, hope, endurance and positivity in the face of war. I think that readers who have a vested interest in wartime relations will find The Bird in the Bamboo Cage to be a worthwhile experience.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 12, 2021
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
This is an historical fiction novel about WWII at the Chefoo Missionary school in China. It was home to children of British and American diplomats.
It is written in alternating chapters between Nancy Plummer a girl guide and her teacher Elspeth Kent.
Nancy and the girls are studying to become girl guides. The story follows all of their rules and regulations to achieve badges.
I felt this part of the story was for a young adult audience. It dragged on and on about being a girl guide.
I liked this book, I just did not love it. I have read many of Hazel Gaynor’s novels and just loved them
Nancy and her fellow girl guides are advised that they can not go home for Christmas as it is not safe, They are on the brink of World WarII. Their world as they know it changes drastically when Japan declares war on The Britain and the United States. Japanese soldiers are now in charge of the school. They are moved to Weihsien Interment Camp. These are children who are then treated as prisoners of war with no communication from their families.
The story is written in my opinion very simplistically. It had a young adult vibe to me. It is well researched. It is the story of resistance and bravery during war time. It was an interesting read, as I had little knowledge of this part of history.
This is an historical fiction novel about WWII at the Chefoo Missionary school in China. It was home to children of British and American diplomats.
It is written in alternating chapters between Nancy Plummer a girl guide and her teacher Elspeth Kent.
Nancy and the girls are studying to become girl guides. The story follows all of their rules and regulations to achieve badges.
I felt this part of the story was for a young adult audience. It dragged on and on about being a girl guide.
I liked this book, I just did not love it. I have read many of Hazel Gaynor’s novels and just loved them
Nancy and her fellow girl guides are advised that they can not go home for Christmas as it is not safe, They are on the brink of World WarII. Their world as they know it changes drastically when Japan declares war on The Britain and the United States. Japanese soldiers are now in charge of the school. They are moved to Weihsien Interment Camp. These are children who are then treated as prisoners of war with no communication from their families.
The story is written in my opinion very simplistically. It had a young adult vibe to me. It is well researched. It is the story of resistance and bravery during war time. It was an interesting read, as I had little knowledge of this part of history.
November 3, 2020
Set in China during WWII. An international school is taken over by the Japanese.
I hardly read books set in China but this was a good way to see another perspective of WWII from British and Americans living in China.
I think this book was intended for a YA audience. It was a little too nice and simple in spite of what must have been some seriously harrowing conditions.
That is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did.
Although I found the phrase ‘ever so’ to be used ever so many times that it became ever so annoying.
I hardly read books set in China but this was a good way to see another perspective of WWII from British and Americans living in China.
I think this book was intended for a YA audience. It was a little too nice and simple in spite of what must have been some seriously harrowing conditions.
That is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did.
Although I found the phrase ‘ever so’ to be used ever so many times that it became ever so annoying.
February 22, 2024
4. 75 ⭐
I listened to the audiobook while having surgery and hoped to write a better review of this book today...well, that won't happen now. Home now and adjusting to a new life.
It's a beautiful compelling story of love, courage and happiness in the darkest of places. A story of friendship and kindness. These children had to grow up really fast in China when the Japanese took over the missionary school they were attending. The teachers showed amazing strength and went to all kinds of lengths to protect them from the horrors of war going on around them. It's based on a true story.
I really did like this book and as much as I wanted to love it, as I did all of her books, it's a darker story than Hazel Gaynors usual books. I still highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨💚
I listened to the audiobook while having surgery and hoped to write a better review of this book today...well, that won't happen now. Home now and adjusting to a new life.
It's a beautiful compelling story of love, courage and happiness in the darkest of places. A story of friendship and kindness. These children had to grow up really fast in China when the Japanese took over the missionary school they were attending. The teachers showed amazing strength and went to all kinds of lengths to protect them from the horrors of war going on around them. It's based on a true story.
I really did like this book and as much as I wanted to love it, as I did all of her books, it's a darker story than Hazel Gaynors usual books. I still highly recommend this emotionally moving book to everyone!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨💚
August 13, 2020
The story alternates between two first person narrators – Nancy Plummer and Elspeth Kent – providing the reader with different perspectives on the unfolding events. After all, the thoughts and feelings of a ten-year old girl are likely to be very different to that of an experienced teacher. What unites them is the value of friendship. I liked the way the friendship between Elspeth and fellow teacher, Minnie, grows, allowing them to share the past disappointments and tragedies in their lives. Similarly, Nancy’s friendship with Dorothy (‘Sprout’) and Joan (‘Mouse’) helps to ease the pain of separation from her parents.
When the teachers and children are forced to leave their beloved Chefoo School, Elspeth receives two parting gifts from their Chinese servants that will come to be a source of comfort in the years ahead. The first will help her to distance herself mentally from the traumatic experiences she will witness and endure. (It’s a theme picked up later in the book when a character observes, “Thinking is the real war, isn’t it? It’s our minds that will ultimately determine whether we win or lose; whether we survive.”) The second gift becomes not only a symbol of hope and resilience but a way to honour the memory of those who will not live to see freedom.
The reality of what in loco parentis really entails becomes clear as Elspeth, Minnie and the other teachers find themselves thrust into a role far beyond that of merely educators. As Elspeth muses, “I was here to step into the shoes of all the absent parents. I was here to watch over these temporary orphans of war.” Often, Elspeth underestimates just how important she is to the children’s mental and emotional strength. In a way, the need to look after and protect the children provides a distraction from the challenges each day brings – the unsanitary conditions, shortage of food, risk of disease and cruelty of the guards. As Elspeth remarks, “For the children I kept going.”
Routine and upholding the principles of the Girl Guides – loyalty, courage, hard work, and so on – are the strategies Elspeth and Minnie use to hold things together, distracting the children from the hardships of the internment camp. However, they cannot protect them from everything and none of the children will emerge from the experience unchanged.
As an admirer of John Buchan, I’m sure you can imagine my delight when one of his books turns up in the camp library set up by the redoubtable Mrs Trevellyan. (There’s also a mention of one of Buchan’s favourite books, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which, incidentally, is used to pass clandestine messages in his novel, Mr Standfast.) And I could only nod in agreement at Mrs T’s observation about the value of books: “This is our escape. Right here, in all these glorious words. Between these pages, we can be as free as the birds. We can go anywhere we please!”
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage brings to life the story of the children of Chefoo School in a way that immerses the reader in their experiences. I felt I was living every moment with them. Although there are things that are difficult to read about there are uplifting moments as well, including small acts of defiance and of unexpected kindness. I can only echo the words of the author when she notes in the Afterword, “No matter the time or distance from an historical event, the universal themes of love, grief, friendship, regret and resilience are what connect us all across the decades.”
When the teachers and children are forced to leave their beloved Chefoo School, Elspeth receives two parting gifts from their Chinese servants that will come to be a source of comfort in the years ahead. The first will help her to distance herself mentally from the traumatic experiences she will witness and endure. (It’s a theme picked up later in the book when a character observes, “Thinking is the real war, isn’t it? It’s our minds that will ultimately determine whether we win or lose; whether we survive.”) The second gift becomes not only a symbol of hope and resilience but a way to honour the memory of those who will not live to see freedom.
The reality of what in loco parentis really entails becomes clear as Elspeth, Minnie and the other teachers find themselves thrust into a role far beyond that of merely educators. As Elspeth muses, “I was here to step into the shoes of all the absent parents. I was here to watch over these temporary orphans of war.” Often, Elspeth underestimates just how important she is to the children’s mental and emotional strength. In a way, the need to look after and protect the children provides a distraction from the challenges each day brings – the unsanitary conditions, shortage of food, risk of disease and cruelty of the guards. As Elspeth remarks, “For the children I kept going.”
Routine and upholding the principles of the Girl Guides – loyalty, courage, hard work, and so on – are the strategies Elspeth and Minnie use to hold things together, distracting the children from the hardships of the internment camp. However, they cannot protect them from everything and none of the children will emerge from the experience unchanged.
As an admirer of John Buchan, I’m sure you can imagine my delight when one of his books turns up in the camp library set up by the redoubtable Mrs Trevellyan. (There’s also a mention of one of Buchan’s favourite books, The Pilgrim’s Progress, which, incidentally, is used to pass clandestine messages in his novel, Mr Standfast.) And I could only nod in agreement at Mrs T’s observation about the value of books: “This is our escape. Right here, in all these glorious words. Between these pages, we can be as free as the birds. We can go anywhere we please!”
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage brings to life the story of the children of Chefoo School in a way that immerses the reader in their experiences. I felt I was living every moment with them. Although there are things that are difficult to read about there are uplifting moments as well, including small acts of defiance and of unexpected kindness. I can only echo the words of the author when she notes in the Afterword, “No matter the time or distance from an historical event, the universal themes of love, grief, friendship, regret and resilience are what connect us all across the decades.”
March 25, 2021
I really enjoy historical fiction - when it is done well. Unfortunately, despite what I believe to be her best efforts, Hazel Gaynor disappointed me greatly with this attempt. It's well written and the background, location and events are all interesting. But nothing happens! I'm serious. For the first 250 pages or more all we get is people fretting, worrying, lamenting and agonizing over their lives and existence. It was truly boring.
The author chose to tell this story in two first-person accounts. One is an adult, who has the emotions of a child, and the other is a child, who writes as if she is an adult. Then, for some reason, one chapter toward the end is authored by another character who was important to the story, but was certainly not one of the tellers. Also the adult decided to start a journal at some point, which is what I thought I was reading all along. Apparently not. Oddly there is a character named Minnie and another named Mouse. Thankfully then didn't interact too often. In fact, everyone had a nickname, which was sometimes confusing when the author would switch back and forth.
I'm not sure why Gaynor chose to soften most of the villains in the story but one. The Japanese invasion and occupation of China, which is the background for the book, was one of the most brutal in the history of the world. In her story, they don't even use guns! Apparently bamboo poles were their weapon of choice and somehow managed to rape and pillage their way through the country with threats of a good wack over the head.
I truly was hoping for a gripping, authentic story about something we in the West know little about. I didn't learn much and regrettably wished I could hurry up and get to the end.
The author chose to tell this story in two first-person accounts. One is an adult, who has the emotions of a child, and the other is a child, who writes as if she is an adult. Then, for some reason, one chapter toward the end is authored by another character who was important to the story, but was certainly not one of the tellers. Also the adult decided to start a journal at some point, which is what I thought I was reading all along. Apparently not. Oddly there is a character named Minnie and another named Mouse. Thankfully then didn't interact too often. In fact, everyone had a nickname, which was sometimes confusing when the author would switch back and forth.
I'm not sure why Gaynor chose to soften most of the villains in the story but one. The Japanese invasion and occupation of China, which is the background for the book, was one of the most brutal in the history of the world. In her story, they don't even use guns! Apparently bamboo poles were their weapon of choice and somehow managed to rape and pillage their way through the country with threats of a good wack over the head.
I truly was hoping for a gripping, authentic story about something we in the West know little about. I didn't learn much and regrettably wished I could hurry up and get to the end.
November 13, 2020
Fabulous Historical Novel set within a Japanese Prison Internment Camp during World War II
This story is focused upon three female students and their two female teachers in a coming of age story during a critical historical period. These children are studying at this boarding school because they are children of diplomats and missionaries during the late 1930's in China and surrounding countries. Shortly after the story begins, we meet three young girls aged eight and their two female teachers. We observe their carefree days and the life at a boarding school in Chefoo, China. Their every need is attended to by paid staff and the grounds feature tended gardens. They school has entertaining activities, allowing them to explore the area and beach nearby. Their teachers, Elspeth and Minnie are women running from pain of loss. Who not only instructors educationally but also play guardian to the young. Later, they become true mother figures in every sense as the once the children are captured by Japanese because they are American and British, thus the enemy.
Once in captivity they are forced to leave behind their outdated perceptions of the world, no longer do they have servants to attend to every need, food is no longer plenteous or tasty and most importantly, they do not have any freedom. Thus, they are forced into growing up quickly in the face of depravations, threats of harm and death around them due to lack of sanitation and proper medical supplies. Initially, it takes the girls some time to understand the true dangers that surround them. Their faithful teachers do whatever is necessary to keep them in the dark.
There are two primary narrators in this novel. One is the observant but also naïve Plum (Nancy), who is a missionary’s daughter and has an older brother, Edward, who provides occasional guidance. The other narrator is the favorite teacher, Elspeth Kent. She is new to the school having left England when her fiancé Harry dies in a mining accident. She is temporarily hiding from her pain and plans to return home but the day she decides to make it official, Japan becomes the occupier of China and she cannot leave.
Both Nancy and Elspeth have experiences that help us to understand what life is like when every action is wholly dependent on your captor for permission. Nancy also begins to truly understand the keys to life as she and her friends participate in Girl Guides (what is now Girl Scouts). Many principals of good moral living are provided through various lessons and they work to achieve badges while in the camp doing things that benefit friends and strangers alike. Elspeth’s inner turmoil is shared as she bravely faces making decisions she never contemplated facing. Her emotional pain is always present and yet, she remains brave and clever throughout all her struggles. Before the story concludes both will cope with serious loss.
I liked the writing in this story both because of the story plot and the characters who were both appealing. All the characters were empathetic. To advance the story and maintain interest, the monotony of their imprisonment is never mentioned although we know that persists. Additionally, I wished there had been more historical details added, as the book was quite light in details of the era. I wondered if the author was avoiding this to be politically expedient or if she didn't feel it added to the story or some other reason. Thus, I felt the story seemed a bit distant.
While Gaynor is efficient at creating emotional responses, some things were told as well as shown. All in all, it was easy to read and smooth tale. This is my third novel by Ms. Gaynor and I am pleased I read it.
This story is focused upon three female students and their two female teachers in a coming of age story during a critical historical period. These children are studying at this boarding school because they are children of diplomats and missionaries during the late 1930's in China and surrounding countries. Shortly after the story begins, we meet three young girls aged eight and their two female teachers. We observe their carefree days and the life at a boarding school in Chefoo, China. Their every need is attended to by paid staff and the grounds feature tended gardens. They school has entertaining activities, allowing them to explore the area and beach nearby. Their teachers, Elspeth and Minnie are women running from pain of loss. Who not only instructors educationally but also play guardian to the young. Later, they become true mother figures in every sense as the once the children are captured by Japanese because they are American and British, thus the enemy.
Once in captivity they are forced to leave behind their outdated perceptions of the world, no longer do they have servants to attend to every need, food is no longer plenteous or tasty and most importantly, they do not have any freedom. Thus, they are forced into growing up quickly in the face of depravations, threats of harm and death around them due to lack of sanitation and proper medical supplies. Initially, it takes the girls some time to understand the true dangers that surround them. Their faithful teachers do whatever is necessary to keep them in the dark.
There are two primary narrators in this novel. One is the observant but also naïve Plum (Nancy), who is a missionary’s daughter and has an older brother, Edward, who provides occasional guidance. The other narrator is the favorite teacher, Elspeth Kent. She is new to the school having left England when her fiancé Harry dies in a mining accident. She is temporarily hiding from her pain and plans to return home but the day she decides to make it official, Japan becomes the occupier of China and she cannot leave.
Both Nancy and Elspeth have experiences that help us to understand what life is like when every action is wholly dependent on your captor for permission. Nancy also begins to truly understand the keys to life as she and her friends participate in Girl Guides (what is now Girl Scouts). Many principals of good moral living are provided through various lessons and they work to achieve badges while in the camp doing things that benefit friends and strangers alike. Elspeth’s inner turmoil is shared as she bravely faces making decisions she never contemplated facing. Her emotional pain is always present and yet, she remains brave and clever throughout all her struggles. Before the story concludes both will cope with serious loss.
I liked the writing in this story both because of the story plot and the characters who were both appealing. All the characters were empathetic. To advance the story and maintain interest, the monotony of their imprisonment is never mentioned although we know that persists. Additionally, I wished there had been more historical details added, as the book was quite light in details of the era. I wondered if the author was avoiding this to be politically expedient or if she didn't feel it added to the story or some other reason. Thus, I felt the story seemed a bit distant.
While Gaynor is efficient at creating emotional responses, some things were told as well as shown. All in all, it was easy to read and smooth tale. This is my third novel by Ms. Gaynor and I am pleased I read it.
April 12, 2021
4.5/5
Going into When We Were Young & Brave, I already knew I was a fan of Hazel Gaynor and her writing abilities, and it is with no surprise that I loved this book. Almost all of the historical fiction I have read has been about WWII, but never before have I read a book about the Chefoo School in China or the Girl Guides for that matter. The plot was fascinating, and I of course loved the fact that it is inspired by true events. I really enjoyed the different viewpoints, and I think they both added so much to the story. The kids in this novel really touched my heart and I loved that a major theme was about kindness and how even something small can make a difference. The book is interspersed with rules for the Girl Guides which I really liked, and I also enjoyed the sections from the 1970s. There is some foreshadowing in the book that I liked as well, even if some of it wasn't always good.
There are a lot of hard parts to read in this novel and my heart was breaking for so many of the characters. However, even when things were hard the girls and teachers showed so much bravery and this is a book about war, but also about being strong in the face of adversity. I listened to the audiobook which I absolutely loved, and it is narrated by Rosie Jones & Imogen Church. Jones voiced Nancy while Church voiced Elspeth (Miss Kent), and I couldn't have asked for two better people to narrate this book. They narrated their parts perfectly and with so much emotion that it really brought the story and characters to life for me. I listened to it all in one day because I didn't want to put it down, and if you are a historical fiction fan or a fan of Gaynor in general, I highly recommend it! The information at the back was incredibly helpful as well so I think having a physical copy on hand if you do the audio is a great idea.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Going into When We Were Young & Brave, I already knew I was a fan of Hazel Gaynor and her writing abilities, and it is with no surprise that I loved this book. Almost all of the historical fiction I have read has been about WWII, but never before have I read a book about the Chefoo School in China or the Girl Guides for that matter. The plot was fascinating, and I of course loved the fact that it is inspired by true events. I really enjoyed the different viewpoints, and I think they both added so much to the story. The kids in this novel really touched my heart and I loved that a major theme was about kindness and how even something small can make a difference. The book is interspersed with rules for the Girl Guides which I really liked, and I also enjoyed the sections from the 1970s. There is some foreshadowing in the book that I liked as well, even if some of it wasn't always good.
There are a lot of hard parts to read in this novel and my heart was breaking for so many of the characters. However, even when things were hard the girls and teachers showed so much bravery and this is a book about war, but also about being strong in the face of adversity. I listened to the audiobook which I absolutely loved, and it is narrated by Rosie Jones & Imogen Church. Jones voiced Nancy while Church voiced Elspeth (Miss Kent), and I couldn't have asked for two better people to narrate this book. They narrated their parts perfectly and with so much emotion that it really brought the story and characters to life for me. I listened to it all in one day because I didn't want to put it down, and if you are a historical fiction fan or a fan of Gaynor in general, I highly recommend it! The information at the back was incredibly helpful as well so I think having a physical copy on hand if you do the audio is a great idea.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 2, 2020
The Chefoo School, in Northern China, is home to privileged British and American children of missionaries and diplomats. In 1941, Nancy Plummer (“Plum”) and her brother are students there and teacher Elspeth Kent has insured Plum’s mother that she will take special care of the young girl. The Japanese have overtaken China and the lives of the students and teachers are going to change forever.
When We Were Young & Brave starts in 1975 with Nancy looking back at her time during the war. This moving book is told through the eyes of Nancy and Elspeth, who develop a close bond. In addition to their studies, Elspeth has formed a troop of Brownies/Girl Guides (comparable to the Girl Scouts in the U.S.) which teaches Nancy and her friends leadership and life skills. Once England and the United States declare war on Japan, the school is overtaken and the students and teachers are their prisoners. Life in the school is able to continue with Japanese soldiers watching over them. They eventually are transported to a Civilian Assembly Center, otherwise known as an internment camp, where the children and teachers are living with others deemed as enemies of Japan. Life becomes progressively worse for everyone. The children and teachers rely on one another to survive as they are met with lack of food, sickness and extreme cruelty.
When We Were Young & Brave shines a light on a rarely told, heartbreaking side of the war. And seeing the war through the eyes of a young girl was particularly powerful. Nancy and Elspeth were two very appealing characters who show courage and resiliency. This was a very beautiful and worthwhile read inspired by the author's own family's personal story.
Many thanks to William Morrow / HarperCollins, NetGalley and author Hazel Gaynor for a copy of When We Were Young & Brave in advance of its October 6, 2020 publication date.
Get your Kleenex ready.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
When We Were Young & Brave starts in 1975 with Nancy looking back at her time during the war. This moving book is told through the eyes of Nancy and Elspeth, who develop a close bond. In addition to their studies, Elspeth has formed a troop of Brownies/Girl Guides (comparable to the Girl Scouts in the U.S.) which teaches Nancy and her friends leadership and life skills. Once England and the United States declare war on Japan, the school is overtaken and the students and teachers are their prisoners. Life in the school is able to continue with Japanese soldiers watching over them. They eventually are transported to a Civilian Assembly Center, otherwise known as an internment camp, where the children and teachers are living with others deemed as enemies of Japan. Life becomes progressively worse for everyone. The children and teachers rely on one another to survive as they are met with lack of food, sickness and extreme cruelty.
When We Were Young & Brave shines a light on a rarely told, heartbreaking side of the war. And seeing the war through the eyes of a young girl was particularly powerful. Nancy and Elspeth were two very appealing characters who show courage and resiliency. This was a very beautiful and worthwhile read inspired by the author's own family's personal story.
Many thanks to William Morrow / HarperCollins, NetGalley and author Hazel Gaynor for a copy of When We Were Young & Brave in advance of its October 6, 2020 publication date.
Get your Kleenex ready.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
February 2, 2021
The Chefoo School in China is home to the children of British and American diplomats and missionaries. They are taught the value of hard work, faith and service. The student's are nutured by caring and dedicated teachers. But when Japan bombs Pearl Harbor and declares war on Britain and American life is forever altered for the students and staff at Chefoo School. Japanese soldiers are now posted at the school, food supplies are limited and the Chinese servants are let go. Things get even worse when they are moved to the Weihsein Interment Camp. The Chefoo staff try to keep some normalcy to the situation and the girls are inspired by the values of the Girl Guides. Despite everything, there are moments of joy, kindness and the bonds of friendship.
Based on true events, an incredible story of resilience, bravery and fortitude in the face of hardship and imprisonment. I love when I discover another piece of history from WWII I knew nothing about.
Based on true events, an incredible story of resilience, bravery and fortitude in the face of hardship and imprisonment. I love when I discover another piece of history from WWII I knew nothing about.
July 23, 2020
This beautiful book will be in my thoughts for some time. This is a historical fictional novel wrote from the viewpoints of Nancy (Plum) a young girl and Elspeth Kent, Miss Kent, one of the teachers from the Chinese missionary. Both characters along with many more students and a handful of teachers are in a missionary school when Japan invade China during World War II
We hear the story of their internment in Weihsein camp and their six year nightmare while they are subject to the horrors of the Japanese.
The story all too familiar in war talks about selflessness, fear, hunger, uncertainty, brutality and death.Yet at the same time friendship, loyalty and huge accounts of bravery.
Hazel Gaynor has brought this piece of sad history together and we see what life was like for children in the camps and the teachers needing to be their protectors, stand in parents and instructing them on how to be young adults as events unfold and emotions run wild.Children missing their parents, homes, affection, life’s necessities and the teachers battling daily to educate and care and keep the daily motivations going.
The young girls and Nancy followed the Brownies and Girl Guides principles of trustworthiness, loyalty and to be helpful and kind at all times, handbooks were read and badges awarded and gave a purpose and structure and a much needed distraction from the hours of hell around them.
The bravery and courage everyone showed made me swell with pride and it touched my heart in so many ways.Often when we read World War II books they are usually around the horrors of France, Germany and the concentration camps. The Chefoo teachers were incredibly brave and innovative, truly resourceful in keeping the children’s spirits up.
Their determination to keep going months after VE Day was celebrated for the end of war in Europe when the war still raged with Japan was staggering.
As Hazel Gaynor says at the end of her book “I hope we will keep discovering; writing, reading, and sharing these stories.They are part of our pasts, and we must never forget them”
Thank you Netgalley and Harperfictionpr for this remarkable book.
We hear the story of their internment in Weihsein camp and their six year nightmare while they are subject to the horrors of the Japanese.
The story all too familiar in war talks about selflessness, fear, hunger, uncertainty, brutality and death.Yet at the same time friendship, loyalty and huge accounts of bravery.
Hazel Gaynor has brought this piece of sad history together and we see what life was like for children in the camps and the teachers needing to be their protectors, stand in parents and instructing them on how to be young adults as events unfold and emotions run wild.Children missing their parents, homes, affection, life’s necessities and the teachers battling daily to educate and care and keep the daily motivations going.
The young girls and Nancy followed the Brownies and Girl Guides principles of trustworthiness, loyalty and to be helpful and kind at all times, handbooks were read and badges awarded and gave a purpose and structure and a much needed distraction from the hours of hell around them.
The bravery and courage everyone showed made me swell with pride and it touched my heart in so many ways.Often when we read World War II books they are usually around the horrors of France, Germany and the concentration camps. The Chefoo teachers were incredibly brave and innovative, truly resourceful in keeping the children’s spirits up.
Their determination to keep going months after VE Day was celebrated for the end of war in Europe when the war still raged with Japan was staggering.
As Hazel Gaynor says at the end of her book “I hope we will keep discovering; writing, reading, and sharing these stories.They are part of our pasts, and we must never forget them”
Thank you Netgalley and Harperfictionpr for this remarkable book.
January 13, 2025
Endearing, fascinating, and interesting. Highly recommend. Listen to an audio preview at https://www.harpercollins.com/product....
Find your copy today at https://bookshop.org/lists/top-books-...
Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
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January 1, 2022
Find your copy today at https://bookshop.org/lists/top-books-...
Desiree Reads
The Bookish Birder
https://bookshop.org/shop/TheBookishB...
January 1, 2022
July 3, 2020
‘Their motto was to be prepared, but nothing could prepare them for war. . .'
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage by Hazel Gaynor will be published August 20th with Harper Collins. It is a novel inspired by true events and is described as ‘an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.’
It’s no secret that I love Hazel Gaynor’s writing so I just couldn’t put off sharing my thoughts on her upcoming release a little earlier than I had intended. Hazel Gaynor’s ability to develop her characters in all her books, bringing history alive on the pages, is such a wonderful skill. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is no exception as it immerses the reader completely into the lives of the teachers and children of the Chefoo Missionary School for foreigners on China’s eastern coast in Shandong during WW2. The story of Chefoo school is real. The internment of the teachers and children following Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbour is real. Hazel Gaynor’s inspiration for the book was an NPR Podcast and, with her own involvement with the Brownies/Guides when growing up, she brought the two together and created this wonderful tale.
“We didn’t talk about it afterwards.
Not to loved ones, or to neighbours who stared at us from across the street, curious to know more about these lost children, returned from the war in China like ghosts come back from the dead.
Eventually everyone stopped staring and wondering
WE WERE FORGOTTEN.
BUT WE DIDN’T FORGET"
Elspeth Kent moved to China to escape her own personal troubles at home. With her dreams shattered, she ‘escaped’ to China for an adventure, some excitement to distract her from her own life. Teaching was the perfect role for Elsbeth and for awhile she enjoyed her job in Chefoo School but the time had come to bid farewell, to return home and face up to her life in England. But when the Japanese troops entered the school gates, Elsbeth never got the opportunity to resign and she knew that life was never going to be the same again.
Nancy Plummer and her friends were students of Chefoo School. With her parents working away as missionaries, she was placed in the care of the school for her education. She was expecting to see her parents during the holidays, but the winter season put a stop to that. Then the sudden arrival of the Japanese army brought a new reality crashing down. Nancy knew that her days were about to change but she was totally unprepared for the journey that lay in front of her.
With the motivation of the teachers, the pupils of the school were encouraged to develop a can-do attitude. Nancy and her friends were involved with the Brownies, so were used to structure and achieving goals. Using the ideology of the Brownie handbook, Elsbeth created ��fun’ challenges for her students, providing much needed distraction from the looming chaos surrounding them.
The Japanese army took over the school and eventually after a few moves, the Chefoo School community were moved to the internment camp at Weihsien, a place for enemies of the Japanese state. The conditions here were deplorable but Elsbeth and her colleagues did their utmost to protect the children from some of the barbaric actions of a few of the Japanese soldiers. Hazel Gaynor incorporates the real-life story of Olympian athlete Eric Liddell, who was also interred at the camp and was a central character in providing inspiration to many of the children based there. Hazel Gaynor provides the reader with insights into the ingenuity of the prisoners to keep themselves sane and alive during their time in the camp. One example is the true story of how eggshells were baked, crushed and then fed to the children to help with obvious calcium deficiencies due to the bad diet provided to them. These eggs were a valuable commodity traded on the very dangerous black market.
Anyone who watched the 1980s TV series Tenko will be completely captivated by The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. Tenko, although a fictional account of a similar Japanese internment camp, felt very authentic. The portrayal of these people and the lengths they went to to survive each day was so very poignant, very realistic. Hazel Gaynor brings the same authenticity to her story. Elspeth Kent and Nancy Plummer feel real. Their stories of bravery, of courage, of fear rise up off the pages, leaving the reader with a real sense of the heightened emotions experienced.
Hazel Gaynor has written a truly compelling and emotive tale, one that will remain in my heart and mind for quite some time. It is a book that sent me off researching the stories of the admirable people who lived through these terrible and frightening days, which is always the sign of an exceptional read.
“I hope that by writing this relatively unknown story of World War II, and by following in the footsteps of the remarkable girls and boys, women and men who lived through those years, that their experience will become more widely known and their story will live on.
We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude.”
– Hazel Gaynor
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a story of anguish and pain, of sadness and despair, of endurance, of resilience and of hope. It is a very affecting read recounting a remarkable and shocking period of history. Hazel Gaynor writes historical fiction that completely captures the readers imagination, really guaranteeing that The Bird in the Bamboo Cage will be another sure-fire bestseller on release. Pre-order it folks. You will not regret it!
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage by Hazel Gaynor will be published August 20th with Harper Collins. It is a novel inspired by true events and is described as ‘an unforgettable novel about impossible choices and unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher in a remote corner of a terrible war.’
It’s no secret that I love Hazel Gaynor’s writing so I just couldn’t put off sharing my thoughts on her upcoming release a little earlier than I had intended. Hazel Gaynor’s ability to develop her characters in all her books, bringing history alive on the pages, is such a wonderful skill. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is no exception as it immerses the reader completely into the lives of the teachers and children of the Chefoo Missionary School for foreigners on China’s eastern coast in Shandong during WW2. The story of Chefoo school is real. The internment of the teachers and children following Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbour is real. Hazel Gaynor’s inspiration for the book was an NPR Podcast and, with her own involvement with the Brownies/Guides when growing up, she brought the two together and created this wonderful tale.
“We didn’t talk about it afterwards.
Not to loved ones, or to neighbours who stared at us from across the street, curious to know more about these lost children, returned from the war in China like ghosts come back from the dead.
Eventually everyone stopped staring and wondering
WE WERE FORGOTTEN.
BUT WE DIDN’T FORGET"
Elspeth Kent moved to China to escape her own personal troubles at home. With her dreams shattered, she ‘escaped’ to China for an adventure, some excitement to distract her from her own life. Teaching was the perfect role for Elsbeth and for awhile she enjoyed her job in Chefoo School but the time had come to bid farewell, to return home and face up to her life in England. But when the Japanese troops entered the school gates, Elsbeth never got the opportunity to resign and she knew that life was never going to be the same again.
Nancy Plummer and her friends were students of Chefoo School. With her parents working away as missionaries, she was placed in the care of the school for her education. She was expecting to see her parents during the holidays, but the winter season put a stop to that. Then the sudden arrival of the Japanese army brought a new reality crashing down. Nancy knew that her days were about to change but she was totally unprepared for the journey that lay in front of her.
With the motivation of the teachers, the pupils of the school were encouraged to develop a can-do attitude. Nancy and her friends were involved with the Brownies, so were used to structure and achieving goals. Using the ideology of the Brownie handbook, Elsbeth created ��fun’ challenges for her students, providing much needed distraction from the looming chaos surrounding them.
The Japanese army took over the school and eventually after a few moves, the Chefoo School community were moved to the internment camp at Weihsien, a place for enemies of the Japanese state. The conditions here were deplorable but Elsbeth and her colleagues did their utmost to protect the children from some of the barbaric actions of a few of the Japanese soldiers. Hazel Gaynor incorporates the real-life story of Olympian athlete Eric Liddell, who was also interred at the camp and was a central character in providing inspiration to many of the children based there. Hazel Gaynor provides the reader with insights into the ingenuity of the prisoners to keep themselves sane and alive during their time in the camp. One example is the true story of how eggshells were baked, crushed and then fed to the children to help with obvious calcium deficiencies due to the bad diet provided to them. These eggs were a valuable commodity traded on the very dangerous black market.
Anyone who watched the 1980s TV series Tenko will be completely captivated by The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. Tenko, although a fictional account of a similar Japanese internment camp, felt very authentic. The portrayal of these people and the lengths they went to to survive each day was so very poignant, very realistic. Hazel Gaynor brings the same authenticity to her story. Elspeth Kent and Nancy Plummer feel real. Their stories of bravery, of courage, of fear rise up off the pages, leaving the reader with a real sense of the heightened emotions experienced.
Hazel Gaynor has written a truly compelling and emotive tale, one that will remain in my heart and mind for quite some time. It is a book that sent me off researching the stories of the admirable people who lived through these terrible and frightening days, which is always the sign of an exceptional read.
“I hope that by writing this relatively unknown story of World War II, and by following in the footsteps of the remarkable girls and boys, women and men who lived through those years, that their experience will become more widely known and their story will live on.
We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude.”
– Hazel Gaynor
The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a story of anguish and pain, of sadness and despair, of endurance, of resilience and of hope. It is a very affecting read recounting a remarkable and shocking period of history. Hazel Gaynor writes historical fiction that completely captures the readers imagination, really guaranteeing that The Bird in the Bamboo Cage will be another sure-fire bestseller on release. Pre-order it folks. You will not regret it!
October 5, 2020
A evocative historical fiction novel of courage, resourcefulness and friendships during the most traumatic of times.
SUMMARY
Elsbeth Kent is a teacher at the Chefoo School, a missionary school in northern China and but is anxious to return home to England. But as she prepares to turn in her resignation, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those children in her charge.
Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer, is a British student at Chefoo School, when Japan declares war on Britain and America and takes control of the school. Separated from their parents, Nancy and her friends look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety.
The school community must rely on their courage, resourcefulness, and friendships to survive the inconceivable hardships. When they are sent to Weihsien, a distant internment camp even greater danger and uncertainty await them.
REVIEW
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is a dramatic and touching chronicle of the fortitude and resilience of women and girls. The interesting story is inspired by true events and is essential reading for fans of historical fiction.
Author Hazel Gaynor skillfully transports us to China in December 1941 with her descriptive and evocative writing. The story alternates between Elsbeth and Nancy. I particularly liked the strength of Elsbeth’s character as she attempted to educate and care for the children during a most traumatic and gut-wrenching time.
My favorite part was Gaynor’s use of the Girl Guides program as a significant reason for Elsbeth and Nancy’s inspiration for survival. By following the three tenants (faith, loyalty and service) of the program, Nancy also know as Plum, and her best friends Mouse and Sprout showed their bravery and pluck. Gaynor’s epigraph for her books sums it up perfectly.
“Girls! Imagine that a battle has taken place in and around your town or village… What are you going to do? Are you going to sit down, and ring your hands and cry, or are you going to be plucky, and go out and do something to help.”
Agnes Baden Powell, Cofounder of the Girl Guides
I also appreciated the symbolism of the sunflowers seeds that Elsbeth received from Wei Huan, the Chinese school gardener, and how the seeds were used throughout the book to mark significant events.
Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. She is co-founder of creative writing events The Inspiration Project, and lives in Ireland with her husband and two children. Previous books have included The Girls Who Came Home (2014), The Lighthouse Keeper Daughter (2018) and Meet Me in Monaco (2019).
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher HarperCollins
Published October 6, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
#WhenWeWereYoungAndBrave #HazelGaynor #NetGalley #BluestockingReviews #HarperCollins #readitloveit #findinggreatreads
SUMMARY
Elsbeth Kent is a teacher at the Chefoo School, a missionary school in northern China and but is anxious to return home to England. But as she prepares to turn in her resignation, a terrible twist of fate determines a different path for Elspeth, and those children in her charge.
Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer, is a British student at Chefoo School, when Japan declares war on Britain and America and takes control of the school. Separated from their parents, Nancy and her friends look to their teachers – to Miss Kent and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – to provide a sense of unity and safety.
The school community must rely on their courage, resourcefulness, and friendships to survive the inconceivable hardships. When they are sent to Weihsien, a distant internment camp even greater danger and uncertainty await them.
REVIEW
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND BRAVE is a dramatic and touching chronicle of the fortitude and resilience of women and girls. The interesting story is inspired by true events and is essential reading for fans of historical fiction.
Author Hazel Gaynor skillfully transports us to China in December 1941 with her descriptive and evocative writing. The story alternates between Elsbeth and Nancy. I particularly liked the strength of Elsbeth’s character as she attempted to educate and care for the children during a most traumatic and gut-wrenching time.
My favorite part was Gaynor’s use of the Girl Guides program as a significant reason for Elsbeth and Nancy’s inspiration for survival. By following the three tenants (faith, loyalty and service) of the program, Nancy also know as Plum, and her best friends Mouse and Sprout showed their bravery and pluck. Gaynor’s epigraph for her books sums it up perfectly.
“Girls! Imagine that a battle has taken place in and around your town or village… What are you going to do? Are you going to sit down, and ring your hands and cry, or are you going to be plucky, and go out and do something to help.”
Agnes Baden Powell, Cofounder of the Girl Guides
I also appreciated the symbolism of the sunflowers seeds that Elsbeth received from Wei Huan, the Chinese school gardener, and how the seeds were used throughout the book to mark significant events.
Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. She is co-founder of creative writing events The Inspiration Project, and lives in Ireland with her husband and two children. Previous books have included The Girls Who Came Home (2014), The Lighthouse Keeper Daughter (2018) and Meet Me in Monaco (2019).
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher HarperCollins
Published October 6, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
#WhenWeWereYoungAndBrave #HazelGaynor #NetGalley #BluestockingReviews #HarperCollins #readitloveit #findinggreatreads
July 25, 2020
When we read books about children in World War II, they often deal with the internment camps in the United States, sending children to the countryside in England, or evacuating Jewish children to other countries. Hazel Gaynor presented a fresh focus by concentrating on a group of children studying at a school sponsored by the China Inland Mission. Most children belonged to diplomats or missionaries--mostly British but some Americans and other nationalities. When Japan declared war on the United States, they were already occupying parts of China, and moved in quickly to take over the school, placing Japanese ownership signs on everything. The children were able to stay there for a short time, but were moved to another location in Chefoo. Eventually they were sent to an internment camp in Weihsien where they remained for the duration. The story is told through the eyes of one of the girls and one of the teachers. I loved this book and cried in several places. I received an advance reader's copy through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)
February 15, 2021
📚 Hello Book Friends! WHEN WE WERE YOUNG & BRAVE by Hazel Gaynor is a stunning story of courage, friendship, hope, and resilience. This book is based on true events and was an eye-opener on the struggles and life-conditions, many ex-pats lived through during WWII in China. The book has two narrators, an adult teacher in charge of ex-pat children, and one of the female students. They both offer different views of their incarceration time in an internment camp. The book has several triggers such as violence, rape, mistreatment of animals, and accounts of many horrors of war. The Brownies and Girl Guide theme throughout the book is refreshing and demonstrates its value and importance to the young girls who were facing unspeakable events. Hazel Gaynor delivers another beautifully written novel and heartfelt story. This is a must-read for historical novels.
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April 23, 2021
For me, an oddly bland book... Young students and their teachers find their lives in disastrous upheaval at China Inland Missionary School in 1941, when Japan declares war on the USA and all its allies after Pearl Harbour. Soldiers arrive to lockdown the school, making everyone captive - and things go from bad to worse until the war’s end in 1945.
Student Nancy Plummer and her teacher Elspeth Kent are the primary voices, in the retelling of a true period and for me, little known, aspect of WWII. Elspeth Kent is a British reliable, stiff upper lip and kindly young woman who lost her fiancé before fleeing that heartbreak for China. Nancy represents one of many British children at international school, in China, hers among many parents who were missionaries throughout the provinces.
The principles of Girl Guides were incorporated as central to the theme- “On my honour, I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and the King (or God and my country);
To help other people at all times;
To obey the Guide Law...”.
As a former Brownie and Guide, it was difficult not to be moved by the idea that brave adults had tried to incorporate these values and this sense of camaraderie under such horrific conditions, literally “guiding” these vulnerable, hungry and shocked students through such onerous conditions.
The story moves from a slightly depressing tone to more depressing ones, with recognition of resilience through the hardship as motivation, hope for resolution of the war ending (PLEASE!) grinding out the years’ minutiae of living in a camp with seemingly no end in sight. It is quite grim... as it surely was.
I wished for more substance, for instance, a map of China for orientation. The Japanese moved prisoners periodically, allowed Red Cross supplies intermittently- I wanted more expanded background into the why, what, how of the war- to be educated more fully into the behaviour of the captors. In the end, I had to refresh my hazy history on my own.
As a reader, I feel that the history was a bit light- it needed a bit more toothiness for me to bite into the story as much as I’d have liked.
....The author notes that her agent steered her to a podcast about this story, and Hazel Gaynor integrated that history, her impressions of the same period in Singapore with Guiding as well as her emotional connections as a mother. I was shocked to find this article, which held virtually all of the bones of this book- with the names and nationalities changed -
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-3....
So... I’d offer that Gaynor has given the “feels” to the story which the BBC broadcast; I appreciate being introduced to it all, interesting certainly.
Student Nancy Plummer and her teacher Elspeth Kent are the primary voices, in the retelling of a true period and for me, little known, aspect of WWII. Elspeth Kent is a British reliable, stiff upper lip and kindly young woman who lost her fiancé before fleeing that heartbreak for China. Nancy represents one of many British children at international school, in China, hers among many parents who were missionaries throughout the provinces.
The principles of Girl Guides were incorporated as central to the theme- “On my honour, I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and the King (or God and my country);
To help other people at all times;
To obey the Guide Law...”.
As a former Brownie and Guide, it was difficult not to be moved by the idea that brave adults had tried to incorporate these values and this sense of camaraderie under such horrific conditions, literally “guiding” these vulnerable, hungry and shocked students through such onerous conditions.
The story moves from a slightly depressing tone to more depressing ones, with recognition of resilience through the hardship as motivation, hope for resolution of the war ending (PLEASE!) grinding out the years’ minutiae of living in a camp with seemingly no end in sight. It is quite grim... as it surely was.
I wished for more substance, for instance, a map of China for orientation. The Japanese moved prisoners periodically, allowed Red Cross supplies intermittently- I wanted more expanded background into the why, what, how of the war- to be educated more fully into the behaviour of the captors. In the end, I had to refresh my hazy history on my own.
As a reader, I feel that the history was a bit light- it needed a bit more toothiness for me to bite into the story as much as I’d have liked.
....The author notes that her agent steered her to a podcast about this story, and Hazel Gaynor integrated that history, her impressions of the same period in Singapore with Guiding as well as her emotional connections as a mother. I was shocked to find this article, which held virtually all of the bones of this book- with the names and nationalities changed -
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-3....
So... I’d offer that Gaynor has given the “feels” to the story which the BBC broadcast; I appreciate being introduced to it all, interesting certainly.
September 2, 2020
Explore the locations in the novel here
This is quite a remarkable story made even more so by the fact that it is based on true facts. The author has done so clever research here and taken the facts to thread together a story of human interest and emotions. I feel quite teary just thinking about how children must have felt being trapped in their school and threatened by the invading Japanese army. How their teachers made it into an adventure. My heart throbbed for each and every one of them.
A remarkable tale true or not. Add the fact that Hazel Gaynor has incorporated the real-life story of Olympian athlete Eric Liddell, also interred at the camp and how he provided inspiration to many of the children based there and you have a rich tale which is so worth reading.
This is quite a remarkable story made even more so by the fact that it is based on true facts. The author has done so clever research here and taken the facts to thread together a story of human interest and emotions. I feel quite teary just thinking about how children must have felt being trapped in their school and threatened by the invading Japanese army. How their teachers made it into an adventure. My heart throbbed for each and every one of them.
A remarkable tale true or not. Add the fact that Hazel Gaynor has incorporated the real-life story of Olympian athlete Eric Liddell, also interred at the camp and how he provided inspiration to many of the children based there and you have a rich tale which is so worth reading.
February 6, 2022
3.5⭐
“Books are a feast for the imagination,” Mrs. Trevellyan announced as she wafted around her room. “Who cares if there’s barbed wire around the walls. This is our escape.”
“Books are a feast for the imagination,” Mrs. Trevellyan announced as she wafted around her room. “Who cares if there’s barbed wire around the walls. This is our escape.”
August 14, 2020
Hazel Gaynor has taken a unique slant on Second World War fiction with her latest novel, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. It was inspired by true events which took place following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As with all her books, the factual subject matter gives the story depth, authenticity and realism.
The story begins at the China Inland Mission School, Chefoo in the Shantung Province and is told from the perspectives of ten year old Nancy, a pupil at the school, and Elspeth Kent, one of the teachers. This dual outlook from the two different ages works extremely well, fleshing out the characters even more, and adding detail.
It’s December 1941. The Japanese soldiers were already occupying Chefoo but following their declaration of war against America and Britain they arrived in force to take over the school. Lives were about to change drastically for over one hundred children and twelve staff, not to mention the Chinese staff at the school.
Not too long afterwards, the staff and pupils were moved to another location in Chefoo where they tried to make the best of things. Just as they had managed to make the abandoned compound habitable and settled down to some semblance of normal life they were moved again. This time to Weihsien internment camp. They were going to need courage, and most of all each other, if they were to survive being seen as the enemy and enduring unimaginable hardships throughout the dark days of internment.
I love Hazel Gaynor’s wonderful storytelling and have enjoyed each book I’ve read. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is no exception. It’s an evocatively poignant and compelling insight into a horrific period of history that encompasses many emotions including fear, sorrow, despair, brutality, hope and kindness. The teachers went to great lengths to put the children’s needs first and keep their spirits up as the years passed, despite their own suffering. It was incredible how they coped with the privations of being prisoners of war, and the courage and strength shown by both teachers, children and the other prisoners.
A beautifully crafted and memorable story, beginning and concluding with Nancy. Characters are well defined and realistic, it’s written with sensitivity and a deep understanding of events. Hazel Gaynor has done what she set out to do and brought a lesser known time in history to the forefront. The author’s note about the inspiration and research is well worth reading too.
The story begins at the China Inland Mission School, Chefoo in the Shantung Province and is told from the perspectives of ten year old Nancy, a pupil at the school, and Elspeth Kent, one of the teachers. This dual outlook from the two different ages works extremely well, fleshing out the characters even more, and adding detail.
It’s December 1941. The Japanese soldiers were already occupying Chefoo but following their declaration of war against America and Britain they arrived in force to take over the school. Lives were about to change drastically for over one hundred children and twelve staff, not to mention the Chinese staff at the school.
Not too long afterwards, the staff and pupils were moved to another location in Chefoo where they tried to make the best of things. Just as they had managed to make the abandoned compound habitable and settled down to some semblance of normal life they were moved again. This time to Weihsien internment camp. They were going to need courage, and most of all each other, if they were to survive being seen as the enemy and enduring unimaginable hardships throughout the dark days of internment.
I love Hazel Gaynor’s wonderful storytelling and have enjoyed each book I’ve read. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is no exception. It’s an evocatively poignant and compelling insight into a horrific period of history that encompasses many emotions including fear, sorrow, despair, brutality, hope and kindness. The teachers went to great lengths to put the children’s needs first and keep their spirits up as the years passed, despite their own suffering. It was incredible how they coped with the privations of being prisoners of war, and the courage and strength shown by both teachers, children and the other prisoners.
A beautifully crafted and memorable story, beginning and concluding with Nancy. Characters are well defined and realistic, it’s written with sensitivity and a deep understanding of events. Hazel Gaynor has done what she set out to do and brought a lesser known time in history to the forefront. The author’s note about the inspiration and research is well worth reading too.
October 23, 2020
A leisurely and surprisingly gentle story, considering the subject matter. I loved reading about how the teachers and students banded together to survive a WWII prison camp. There were many touching moments and a cameo by Eric Liddell. The main character's introspection slowed things down and became a bit repetitive. Still, five stars for this sentimental memoir-like historical fiction.
October 30, 2020
This book was amazing. I’d never given a thought to what would have happened to people like the Cheefoo school caught in enemy territory in times of war. I knew about the atrocities that America did to Japanese Americans but I had not considered the reverse. This story is full of hope and sorrow and I felt transported through time and place as I read it. I’d never heard of this author but I will be looking up her previous works now! Alternating in perspective between Elspeth, a British woman teaching in a school that becomes occupied, and Nancy a student at the school. The trials and hurdles that they had to face were extraordinary and the positive outlook and hope they kept alive was beautiful.
October 1, 2020
I read a lot of WWII books and it was interesting to read one from a different perspective. The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is the story of the children of Chefoo School taken by the Japanese. Some parts dragged on a little in a way I just wanted something uplifting to happen to them, and then it did, which gives the reader hope that they will survive. The story alternates between a teacher and a student, and both stories are very atmospheric and captivating and I loved both voices. Fantastic story, keep a box of tissues handy for the end. If you love historical reads, this is a must for your collection. 4 ½ stars for me….
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