What do you think?
Rate this book
The White Pearl
National bestselling author of The Russian Concubine , Kate Furnivall spins a tale of war, desperation, and the discovery of love off the coast of Malaya. Malaya, 1941 . Connie Thornton plays her role as a dutiful wife and mother without complaint. She is among the fortunate after all-the British rubber plantation owners reaping the benefits of the colonial life. But Connie feels as though she is oppressed, crippled by boredom, sweltering heat, a loveless marriage. . . Then, in December, the Japanese invade. Connie and her family flee, sailing south on their yacht toward Singapore, where the British are certain to stand firm against the Japanese. En route, in the company of friends, they learn that Singapore is already under siege. Tensions mount, tempers flare, and the yacht's inhabitants are driven by fear. Increasingly desperate and short of food, they are taken over by a pirate craft and its Malayan crew making their perilous way from island to island. When a fighter plane crashes into the sea, they rescue its Japanese pilot. For Connie, that's when everything changes. In the suffocating confines of the boat with her life upended, Connie discovers a new kind of freedom and a new, dangerous, exhilarating love.
433 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2011
128 people are currently reading
2424 people want to read
About the author
Kate Furnivall
22 books999 followersKate Furnivall was raised in Penarth, a small seaside town in Wales. Her mother, whose own childhood was spent in Russia, China and India, discovered at an early age that the world around us is so volatile, that the only things of true value are those inside your head and your heart. These values Kate explores in The Russian Concubine.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
Kate went to London University where she studied English and from there she went into publishing, writing material for a series of books on the canals of Britain. Then into advertising where she met her future husband, Norman. She travelled widely, giving her an insight into how different cultures function which was to prove invaluable when writing The Russian Concubine.
It was when her mother died in 2000 that Kate decided to write a book inspired by her mother's story. The Russian Concubine contains fictional characters and events, but Kate made use of the extraordinary situation that was her mother's childhood experience - that of two White Russian refugees, a mother and daughter, stuck without money or papers in an International Settlement in China.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
April 3, 2012
Oh. My. God. This book was terrible. The ONLY thing right about this book was the cover. It's a very pretty cover. Pretty colors. Ooooh.
Ok, so, what's wrong with the book, other than everything? I'll break it down for you.
1) The characters. Every single solitary character in this book was completely unlikeable. There was nothing that connected you to them, or that made them empathetic, or that even made you care if they lived or died (I was actually hoping some of them would die, just so I wouldn't have to hear about them anymore.) Now look, there's nothing wrong with characters that aren't all good or evil. I like grey characters. It's what draws me to the Song of Ice and Fire series. Cersei is an evil bitch, but you know she's crazy about her children and that she feels powerless against her father. Theon Greyjoy is an idiot, but you can't help but feel bad for him when things go shitty. Lord Baelish is the most sneaky, slimy, underhanded bastard in the series, but you can't help but admire his resourcefulness.
The characters in this book do not instill anything but hatred mixed with disgust.
2) The plot. First of all, the back of the book mentions a "new, dangerous, exhilarating love." BULL-CRAP. Whatever pathetic shadow of a romance occurs in this book, it is neither new, nor dangerous, nor exhilarating. It's forced, shallow, weak, and unbelievable. On top of this, the book goes nowhere very very slowly. I spent the first 200 pages waiting for us to get where we were going so that the plot could really start. Around page 230 I realized we'd already gotten there and it was not where I wanted to be. Around page 350 my 2 star rating dropped to 1 star, and at page 400 or so I not only wanted to take away the remaining 1 star, but BEAT THE BOOK TO DEATH WITH THAT STAR. So just remember this, folks, when you see that one star up there. That star is not for rating. That star is for beating.
Ok, so, what's wrong with the book, other than everything? I'll break it down for you.
1) The characters. Every single solitary character in this book was completely unlikeable. There was nothing that connected you to them, or that made them empathetic, or that even made you care if they lived or died (I was actually hoping some of them would die, just so I wouldn't have to hear about them anymore.) Now look, there's nothing wrong with characters that aren't all good or evil. I like grey characters. It's what draws me to the Song of Ice and Fire series. Cersei is an evil bitch, but you know she's crazy about her children and that she feels powerless against her father. Theon Greyjoy is an idiot, but you can't help but feel bad for him when things go shitty. Lord Baelish is the most sneaky, slimy, underhanded bastard in the series, but you can't help but admire his resourcefulness.
The characters in this book do not instill anything but hatred mixed with disgust.
2) The plot. First of all, the back of the book mentions a "new, dangerous, exhilarating love." BULL-CRAP. Whatever pathetic shadow of a romance occurs in this book, it is neither new, nor dangerous, nor exhilarating. It's forced, shallow, weak, and unbelievable. On top of this, the book goes nowhere very very slowly. I spent the first 200 pages waiting for us to get where we were going so that the plot could really start. Around page 230 I realized we'd already gotten there and it was not where I wanted to be. Around page 350 my 2 star rating dropped to 1 star, and at page 400 or so I not only wanted to take away the remaining 1 star, but BEAT THE BOOK TO DEATH WITH THAT STAR. So just remember this, folks, when you see that one star up there. That star is not for rating. That star is for beating.
July 29, 2012
You'd think an author intending to write a book set in an exotic, foreign culture would at least do her research. Being a proud citizen of Malaysia (present-day Malaya), trust me when I say this book might as well have been based in Portland, Oregon for all the similarities it bears to Malaya (an exaggeration, but you get my point).
It's insulting to us and to the author herself. Please, woman, do your research.
It's insulting to us and to the author herself. Please, woman, do your research.
March 21, 2012
I have heard several good reviews on Kate Furnivall's books, but have yet to read them. So when I came across her latest release, The White Pearl, I decided that this would be a good time to read it since the theme revolves around World War II set in Malaya and Singapore during the 1940s. Though I learnt about the history of the Japanese invaded Singapore during my secondary school days and have heard many horror stories on how the Japanese soldiers tormented the civilians then, I thought it would be interesting to read it from a fiction point of view so here it is.
The story opens with the lead character, Connie Hadley, wife of a rubber plantation owner in Malaya, in a car accident in which she kills a Malay woman on her way home. This unfortunate incident, however, is witnessed by Maya and Razak, who are the teenage children of the dead woman and needless to say, they harboured a deep hatred for Connie. Although Connie tries her best to help them in every ways she can, her husband does not see the point of her doing so as he thought the best thing they could do is to leave everything behind and move on with their life.
However, this would be the last thing on their mind when the Japanese started to invade Malaya. Connie decides to leave for Singapore; an island in which at that time was one of the British Straits Settlements, for she thinks it would not be possible that the Japanese would fight against the British.
But en route to Singapore on Connie's yacht, The White Pearl, Connie is shocked to learn that Singapore, like Malaya, is being invaded by the Japanese. Amid the tension and fear, Connie, together with her family as well as Maya and Razak, also faced the threat of the pirates and they managed to rescue a Japanese pilot whereby the story takes on a more adventure-like momentum.
Though the story is told in third person POV, there are also some flashbacks of the affair Connie had had with a Japanese businessman before the war. Connie may be a good mother to her young son, but she is bored and she felt her marriage is a loveless one.
The White Pearl may be a story about war, betrayal and survival, but it also tells a story of a woman fighting for love and freedom, and the price she has to pay for those things she craved. While I find the characterisations and the premise are nicely plotted, I have to admit I didn't feel connected towards Connie as I had anticipated. There I felt sympathetic on her situation, however I also think she is indecisive when it comes to love. Perhaps I read it wrongly, but I just got the impression that the affair she had had with the Japanese man was a sham too.
Though I understand that the setting would be mostly focused on Malaya, still I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that there wasn't much coverage on Singapore and that it was brief; it also mentioned many civilians were blindfolded and killed by the Japanese though.
The ending may sound hopeful, but somehow or rather it left me with a unsatisfied feeling which I couldn't explain. That said, I liked Kate Furnivall's writing style and I look forward to reading more of her books in the near future.
The story opens with the lead character, Connie Hadley, wife of a rubber plantation owner in Malaya, in a car accident in which she kills a Malay woman on her way home. This unfortunate incident, however, is witnessed by Maya and Razak, who are the teenage children of the dead woman and needless to say, they harboured a deep hatred for Connie. Although Connie tries her best to help them in every ways she can, her husband does not see the point of her doing so as he thought the best thing they could do is to leave everything behind and move on with their life.
However, this would be the last thing on their mind when the Japanese started to invade Malaya. Connie decides to leave for Singapore; an island in which at that time was one of the British Straits Settlements, for she thinks it would not be possible that the Japanese would fight against the British.
But en route to Singapore on Connie's yacht, The White Pearl, Connie is shocked to learn that Singapore, like Malaya, is being invaded by the Japanese. Amid the tension and fear, Connie, together with her family as well as Maya and Razak, also faced the threat of the pirates and they managed to rescue a Japanese pilot whereby the story takes on a more adventure-like momentum.
Though the story is told in third person POV, there are also some flashbacks of the affair Connie had had with a Japanese businessman before the war. Connie may be a good mother to her young son, but she is bored and she felt her marriage is a loveless one.
The White Pearl may be a story about war, betrayal and survival, but it also tells a story of a woman fighting for love and freedom, and the price she has to pay for those things she craved. While I find the characterisations and the premise are nicely plotted, I have to admit I didn't feel connected towards Connie as I had anticipated. There I felt sympathetic on her situation, however I also think she is indecisive when it comes to love. Perhaps I read it wrongly, but I just got the impression that the affair she had had with the Japanese man was a sham too.
Though I understand that the setting would be mostly focused on Malaya, still I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that there wasn't much coverage on Singapore and that it was brief; it also mentioned many civilians were blindfolded and killed by the Japanese though.
The ending may sound hopeful, but somehow or rather it left me with a unsatisfied feeling which I couldn't explain. That said, I liked Kate Furnivall's writing style and I look forward to reading more of her books in the near future.
February 10, 2016
MAP wrote an incredibly accurate review on this book that I wish I had read before purchasing and reading. Props to them. This review will probably contain SPOILERS.
Alright, so look at that cover. Look at the name! This is a book set in Malay. This books main character is an Asian woman clearly by the photo, and she's going to get stranded in a boat at sea with a man from the other side of the war and it's going to be an interesting learning story and she's going to find herself and love and whatever, right?
This book is so falsely advertised it hurt.
First of all, the boat doesn't even show up for the first 180 pages, almost half the novel. And when it finally did it was so anti-climactic and awkward. The first half of the book spends it's time fleshing out this strange storyline of a bored British woman trapped in Malay because her husband has a love affair with rubber trees instead of her. Everything that drives the plot feels so forced and unnatural, that it was painful to read. Characters are only created to serve some sort of bare bones purpose. The storyline drags and is uninteresting, driven on by endless plane attacks.
There's no real love, and with the amount of lose ends in this book I could knit a sweater.
When it finally ended I was left wondering what the purpose of this book was. What was it supposed to say? Just when the characters were starting to develop some sort of substance and there was some sort of story I was confronted with a white page. The ending was no different than the end of a chapter and left me confused about what in the world the author was thinking.
There was one "twist" at the end of the novel that was so forced together involving the meeting of a general, Fitzpatrick and Constance in the jungle. It made absolutely no sense, and could have been left out entirely, it served only to weaken the plausibility of both the characters and the story, why was it even in there? It was just a giant hole in the story.
Overall, this book is not about love or growth. It is about death, planes, pirates, rubber, and nothing else. And none of those things were what the book was advertised to be.
Alright, so look at that cover. Look at the name! This is a book set in Malay. This books main character is an Asian woman clearly by the photo, and she's going to get stranded in a boat at sea with a man from the other side of the war and it's going to be an interesting learning story and she's going to find herself and love and whatever, right?
This book is so falsely advertised it hurt.
First of all, the boat doesn't even show up for the first 180 pages, almost half the novel. And when it finally did it was so anti-climactic and awkward. The first half of the book spends it's time fleshing out this strange storyline of a bored British woman trapped in Malay because her husband has a love affair with rubber trees instead of her. Everything that drives the plot feels so forced and unnatural, that it was painful to read. Characters are only created to serve some sort of bare bones purpose. The storyline drags and is uninteresting, driven on by endless plane attacks.
There's no real love, and with the amount of lose ends in this book I could knit a sweater.
When it finally ended I was left wondering what the purpose of this book was. What was it supposed to say? Just when the characters were starting to develop some sort of substance and there was some sort of story I was confronted with a white page. The ending was no different than the end of a chapter and left me confused about what in the world the author was thinking.
There was one "twist" at the end of the novel that was so forced together involving the meeting of a general, Fitzpatrick and Constance in the jungle. It made absolutely no sense, and could have been left out entirely, it served only to weaken the plausibility of both the characters and the story, why was it even in there? It was just a giant hole in the story.
Overall, this book is not about love or growth. It is about death, planes, pirates, rubber, and nothing else. And none of those things were what the book was advertised to be.
April 21, 2014
I had heard rave reviews about Kate Furnivall's books by some friends, so did not hesitate when I saw this book was offered as a freebie. And second bonus, the story took place in Malaya and the surrounding area during WW2, close to where I now live.
I should have looked at some reviews before jumping into its reading. Maybe. Though it might have well prevented me from trying it.
I really liked the way the book was written, the context seemed realistic enough, though a bit schematic at times.
However there were many things that prevented me from really enjoying this book. The characters and facts were mostly described and told with a very detached tone. This really prevented me from liking ANY characters, except for maybe the young boy and Kitty, a very secondary or even tertiary character. All the others were very difficult to understand - the reader is rarely offered any insights into the thoughts of the characters and has to make his own mind based on a cold depiction of facts. And some explanations regarding their motives and past history may or may not be provided later in the book, but insufficiently and too late to redeem those characters.
The plot was rather good, though with a bit many twists and turns. The one thing I really did not believe in at all was the sudden romance developing in the second part of the book.
Last comment - after the book was a series of Q&A with the author, where she said the place where the main characters take refuge at the end of the book ended up heavily bombed later on. This inspired in myself a thought that they might have been saved for nothing, just dying later on, and then thinking that it would not have been such a catastrophe anyway as I liked them so little. Not a good last impression.
I'll be very wary before trying another one of her books.
I should have looked at some reviews before jumping into its reading. Maybe. Though it might have well prevented me from trying it.
I really liked the way the book was written, the context seemed realistic enough, though a bit schematic at times.
However there were many things that prevented me from really enjoying this book. The characters and facts were mostly described and told with a very detached tone. This really prevented me from liking ANY characters, except for maybe the young boy and Kitty, a very secondary or even tertiary character. All the others were very difficult to understand - the reader is rarely offered any insights into the thoughts of the characters and has to make his own mind based on a cold depiction of facts. And some explanations regarding their motives and past history may or may not be provided later in the book, but insufficiently and too late to redeem those characters.
The plot was rather good, though with a bit many twists and turns. The one thing I really did not believe in at all was the sudden romance developing in the second part of the book.
Last comment - after the book was a series of Q&A with the author, where she said the place where the main characters take refuge at the end of the book ended up heavily bombed later on. This inspired in myself a thought that they might have been saved for nothing, just dying later on, and then thinking that it would not have been such a catastrophe anyway as I liked them so little. Not a good last impression.
I'll be very wary before trying another one of her books.
March 17, 2013
Connie Hadley is a typical colonial wife of her time, but suffering under the stifling heat and weighed down by her guilt and secrets of her past. As the Japanese draw closer to Malaya and invasion looks more and more possible, Connie enlists the help of an enigmatic man, Fitzpayne, and together with her family and her friend Harriet's family, they flee for Singapore, said to be the impregnable fortress at the time.
This book was as meandering as their journey from Malaya to Singapore and just seemed to drag on and on and on. The depiction of locals was as if she was describing a different race altogether, with a tinge of white superiority. Secondly, the Malay names Furnivall has picked: Maya isn't a very common name at all and Nurul is a girl's name. Giving this fierce looking pirate a name like Nurul is like calling Captain Hook 'Tinkerbell' and expecting the reader to conjure up an image of a evil pirate with hordes of crocodiles at his disposal.
The book wasn't bad per se, with lush descriptions of the tropics and how their whole world changed with the advent of war, but it left me feeling detached, when I was supposed to feel a kinship with people there, especially since I grew up in both Singapore and Malaysia. I just wished the characters - any one of them- had a spark that I could catch on to, to make me care about their future. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen.
This book was as meandering as their journey from Malaya to Singapore and just seemed to drag on and on and on. The depiction of locals was as if she was describing a different race altogether, with a tinge of white superiority. Secondly, the Malay names Furnivall has picked: Maya isn't a very common name at all and Nurul is a girl's name. Giving this fierce looking pirate a name like Nurul is like calling Captain Hook 'Tinkerbell' and expecting the reader to conjure up an image of a evil pirate with hordes of crocodiles at his disposal.
The book wasn't bad per se, with lush descriptions of the tropics and how their whole world changed with the advent of war, but it left me feeling detached, when I was supposed to feel a kinship with people there, especially since I grew up in both Singapore and Malaysia. I just wished the characters - any one of them- had a spark that I could catch on to, to make me care about their future. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen.
April 13, 2012
THIS story revolves around Constance Thornton, a petite British blonde, who moved to Malaya after marrying Nigel Hadley. He is the owner of wealthy rubber plantation.
Life in Malaya is good for the imperial elite until one day Connie is involved in an accident while driving to pick up her son from school and her car kills a Malay woman. The woman curses Connie before she dies.
Connie feels responsible for the woman’s twin children and tries to help them but they are only concerned about making their mother’s curses for Connie come to life.
In 1941 when war breaks out Connie flees with her family on their yacht The White Pearl and the twins are discovered hiding on board. Life at sea has it’s own set of dramas and the story is filled with twists and revelations – a real page turner.
Kate Furnivall’s writing is beautiful, descriptive and creeps into your heart to leave an everlasting impression.
Life in Malaya is good for the imperial elite until one day Connie is involved in an accident while driving to pick up her son from school and her car kills a Malay woman. The woman curses Connie before she dies.
Connie feels responsible for the woman’s twin children and tries to help them but they are only concerned about making their mother’s curses for Connie come to life.
In 1941 when war breaks out Connie flees with her family on their yacht The White Pearl and the twins are discovered hiding on board. Life at sea has it’s own set of dramas and the story is filled with twists and revelations – a real page turner.
Kate Furnivall’s writing is beautiful, descriptive and creeps into your heart to leave an everlasting impression.
May 1, 2012
I've read all the other books from Kate Furnivall about Russia and China and absolutely fell in love. Naturally, I ran to get this book and was so excited by the prospect of it. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. The characters are hard to relate to, weak story line and just blaghh... I could not wait to finish it just so I could move on to something more exciting.
September 6, 2011
Jacqui's review:
The White Pearl
A great read with secrets being unraveled throughout which kept me turning the pages to discover the next twist and revelation.
The main character, Connie, was a convincing heroine. The book explored her determination as a mother to keep her son safe, while doing her best for the casualties she meets along the way - all at great risk to herself.
The story weaves together a diverse group of people at the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, all with their own personal agendas. There’s secret lives, double crossing, poverty and prostitution, wealth and privileges, mixed in with love, passion, sorrow, hatred and selflessness.
The backdrop of the story is the stinking heat, tropical rainstorms, deep tangled jungles, savage seas, and the ever-present reptile and insect life of Malaya, all of which provide challenges over and above the threat of the advancing Japanese troops. The writer draws you into these places with her descriptive writing. The story is well researched in terms of the natural environment, the lifestyle of the rich plantation society and poor locals, and the mechanics of the Japanese invasion and Allied response.
I can really see this novel as a film – it has all the elements of adventure and human perseverance, with some dashing heroes and a resilient female lead, plus some amazing locations.
June 14, 2012
Only had to read it because it was about Malaya.
Disappointing...the sad part was the characters and the story had so much potential...
But then weird things just kept happening, one after the other, with no true exploration of the characters, their true deep motivations and feelings.
Honestly Kitty was the best character of the lot!
Disappointing...the sad part was the characters and the story had so much potential...
But then weird things just kept happening, one after the other, with no true exploration of the characters, their true deep motivations and feelings.
Honestly Kitty was the best character of the lot!
April 2, 2012
I'm so disappointed. I found it difficult to get caught up in this, the characters were unappealling, the narrative held several twists too many and by the end I just wanted to get through it as quickly as possible.
I've read and enjoyed Kate Furnivall's other novels, this just isn't my favourite.
I've read and enjoyed Kate Furnivall's other novels, this just isn't my favourite.
March 3, 2013
Wasted opportunity...should have been five star but it gets three...by the end with the 'good gay' I was crying ( and not with sadness)...
This writer could be a Ken Follet...the first three chapters of this book about an Upper Middle Class British woman in Malaya are gripping: the pace, the scenes, her feelings are so real, so apt...and for once, for a woman of that time.
You think: yes, this is it. Hoorah...after one or two not so good books, this writer has learnt and knows what we want.
Oh dear...then it all goes down like Pearl Harbour. Just when you are engaged with Connie's hopes and fears...numerous points of views come in. Too many. Too soon. And we get lost.
I just turned pages. Ms Furnivall is just being over clever and throwing in plot devices that don't work.
Then, with the escape on the boat we are hooked again. You will love it...so well-researched and you rush to read each page.
Oops... and then we get the most ridiculous plot device thrown in ( you'll howl) and we're lost again. It felt rushed and contrived and ruined what was a terrific and very skilled build-up...and turns a good book into utter slush.
We even get the good gays and good 'natives' thrown in just to make it all as contrived as possible...oh, and there is the 'oik' baddie who's working class of course.
This is a writer with a good stories and good narrative voice but I fear I won't buy another again.
Such a waste of talent.
This writer could be a Ken Follet...the first three chapters of this book about an Upper Middle Class British woman in Malaya are gripping: the pace, the scenes, her feelings are so real, so apt...and for once, for a woman of that time.
You think: yes, this is it. Hoorah...after one or two not so good books, this writer has learnt and knows what we want.
Oh dear...then it all goes down like Pearl Harbour. Just when you are engaged with Connie's hopes and fears...numerous points of views come in. Too many. Too soon. And we get lost.
I just turned pages. Ms Furnivall is just being over clever and throwing in plot devices that don't work.
Then, with the escape on the boat we are hooked again. You will love it...so well-researched and you rush to read each page.
Oops... and then we get the most ridiculous plot device thrown in ( you'll howl) and we're lost again. It felt rushed and contrived and ruined what was a terrific and very skilled build-up...and turns a good book into utter slush.
We even get the good gays and good 'natives' thrown in just to make it all as contrived as possible...oh, and there is the 'oik' baddie who's working class of course.
This is a writer with a good stories and good narrative voice but I fear I won't buy another again.
Such a waste of talent.
September 30, 2013
This book had a hell of a hook for an opening line...”It was not the first time Connie had killed someone.” The White Pearl is the story of Connie Hadley, an English colonial wife living in Malaya in the 1940's . Bored and restless, in a marriage quickly losing its appeal and in an environment hostile to everyone, Connie just wants to feel in control of her own life.
With the opening scene of a car accident that kills a native woman on the sidewalk in front of her teenage children, Connie's life spirals even further out of control. With the threat of Japanese invasion on the horizon, Connie prepares to leave Malaya on her yacht, engaging a mysterious boat salesman to pilot the boat. With her family, a couple of good friends and the teenagers as stowaways, the yacht sails for the safety of Singapore.
For me, the novel didn't quite capture the feeling of the Eastern Pacific during the war. The characters were engaging at time, but often came across as rather flat. The emotions and desperation of fleeing an invading army didn't come through and even the setting seemed perfunctory.
I've read a couple of excellent books set in the Pacific during the war, but unfortunately this struck me as a yeoman effort.
With the opening scene of a car accident that kills a native woman on the sidewalk in front of her teenage children, Connie's life spirals even further out of control. With the threat of Japanese invasion on the horizon, Connie prepares to leave Malaya on her yacht, engaging a mysterious boat salesman to pilot the boat. With her family, a couple of good friends and the teenagers as stowaways, the yacht sails for the safety of Singapore.
For me, the novel didn't quite capture the feeling of the Eastern Pacific during the war. The characters were engaging at time, but often came across as rather flat. The emotions and desperation of fleeing an invading army didn't come through and even the setting seemed perfunctory.
I've read a couple of excellent books set in the Pacific during the war, but unfortunately this struck me as a yeoman effort.
July 24, 2012
This book, its characters and the plot kept me so interested that I lost lots of sleep the last 3 nights. You know...."I'll just read one more chapter"....and then of course, you keep reading until you can't keep your eyes open.
That's how much I like this book! The storyline twisted and turned so much it kept me wondering what would happen next. I liked the way the characters were introduced subtly. I had to keep reading to get to know them.
The location, in Malaya, was vividly described, as were the historical aspects. The time was 1941, and the plot wove around the war in such a way that I could almost feel what it was like to be in that situation - terrifying.
I hope there is more to come with these characters! I would most definitely be interested in reading more about them.
Highly recommended.
That's how much I like this book! The storyline twisted and turned so much it kept me wondering what would happen next. I liked the way the characters were introduced subtly. I had to keep reading to get to know them.
The location, in Malaya, was vividly described, as were the historical aspects. The time was 1941, and the plot wove around the war in such a way that I could almost feel what it was like to be in that situation - terrifying.
I hope there is more to come with these characters! I would most definitely be interested in reading more about them.
Highly recommended.
June 8, 2012
Much more of a page-turner than I expected, with a healthy dose of adventure, history, romance--all set in the South Pacific during WWII. This is the story of a British colonial family that escapes on--what else? their yacht--from the Japanese invasion of Malaysia. Most of the plot twists are fairly predictable to an experienced reader, but they are nevertheless entertaining, and there are a few genuine surprises along the way. Much of the sentence-level writing is strong but is reduced by its moments of overly heavy foreshadowing and cheap cliffhangers, along with some cloying romantic scenes that are still quite fun. (The author also seems to have a weird obsession with women's body size, both large and small.) Not high-class literature, but a great summer beach read!
June 2, 2012
In "The White Pearl" by Kate Furnivall, we follow the story of Connie Hadley whose life is turned upside down when the Japanese invade the Malay peninsula in December 1941. The story follows her family, the loves of her life & the family of a woman who she accidentally kills in the books opening moments. Furnivall's story is hard to put down as you go through the emotions of this woman & the events surrounding her as WWII closes in. The title of the book comes from the Hadley family yacht which becomes a major plot point in keeping the family safe across this part of SE Asia. The characters themselves are engrossing & the naivete of the people of the peninsula serves as a historically accurate segment for this time frame. Overall very nicely written & definitely a book worth reading.
April 14, 2022
This book was tough to get through. The beginning was so slow, I had a hard time getting into the story. The rising action was so subtle I didn’t realize it was even happening. With 30 pages left of the book I was still unsure how the story could wrap up in any way. The relationship between Connie and Fitz felt sudden and forced. Out of nowhere, completely shocking, tragic events would happen—but instead of carrying the weight of the tragedy, they felt so out of place that they were humorous. Nigel being eaten by a shark? Seriously? I would’ve rated two stars because it was at least decent enough that I felt I should see it through and finish the book, but I also don’t think I would recommend it to a friend. So… hate to say it, ⭐️.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and all the characters in it. It was a pleasant surprise because I just picked it really quickly in a hurry one day. It gives a really interesting perspective on World War II in the Far East. I'm not sure if it didn't get a bit farcical in the end but it was still a really good read. I love all the characters and really have a vision of them in my minds eye - this would make a great film and I just love the main character Connie (and secretly want to be her!). This book makes me want to have a travel adventure some day...that's what books are for!
July 19, 2013
Best in genre. Remember James Clavell with his sweeping historical sagas of the Far East? The White Pearl has all those elements. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are bad. Murder and sex and death and war and racism abound. Furnivall has one up on Clavell. Hers is not a hero, but a heroine who is gutsy and wise and loving and kind. She's a killer, but we cheer for her anyway. The opening lines will suck you in and you won't want to stop until you're done.
"It was not the first time Connie had killed someone. But today there were witnesses."
"It was not the first time Connie had killed someone. But today there were witnesses."
June 5, 2012
Was amazed by this story! What I thought was going to be a sad WWII drama was an amazing adventure with everything from steamy bug filled jungles to pirates to sharks to so much more. Could almost see the movie playing as I was reading! Highly recommend!
December 15, 2017
This story is set in Malaya in 1941, in the lead up to the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the invasion of Malaya by the Japanese. Connie is trapped in an unhappy marriage with Nigel, a wealthy rubber plantation owner. As events unfold the reader is taken on richly woven roller coaster of emotions and I was immersed in the sounds, pictures and culture of a country I know little about.
Connie is a complex character who is pushed to the limit as she tries to protect her son and escape the unrelenting march of the Japanese during World War II.
This was a real page turner for me, I loved Connie and was willing her on despite the fact that I was frustrated with her at times. My favourite of the 3 Kate Furnivall novels I have read - highly recommended!
Connie is a complex character who is pushed to the limit as she tries to protect her son and escape the unrelenting march of the Japanese during World War II.
This was a real page turner for me, I loved Connie and was willing her on despite the fact that I was frustrated with her at times. My favourite of the 3 Kate Furnivall novels I have read - highly recommended!
June 14, 2021
I selected this for a holiday read because I wanted an easy read of a story set in Malaya and Singapore during WW2 to make a change for the many books (often excellent) I had read about Western Europe during this time. The book gives you a flavour for the time and place and I felt Kate Furnivall managed to weave the worries and terror of war into the human relationships which made for a strong narrative. This is not a book of historical fiction however, so don't expect to become too wise to the history but it is an enjoyable read none the less.
January 8, 2023
As I was reading this I at first thought I would definitely rate this book a 4 star despite the mixed reviews it got. Unfortunately , the book went on forever and by the last 100 pages I was tired of it. It started out with a very good story line, but somewhere along the way the story strayed off target. So....just a so, so read for me.
September 13, 2021
Ordinary story of white people and their heroism in the colonies, treacherous child-like natives, all men lusting after white woman, white men saving the day....this despite the fact the the British
lost Malaya
lost Malaya
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
Definitely one of the best books l have read, a real rollercoaster.
An interesting backdrop about Malaya at the beginning of the war and it's effect on the whole population.
Well written and researched, with characters who's secrets are slowly exposed and the effects they have on each other.
This is the first Kate Furnivall novel l.have read and l will certainly read more.
An interesting backdrop about Malaya at the beginning of the war and it's effect on the whole population.
Well written and researched, with characters who's secrets are slowly exposed and the effects they have on each other.
This is the first Kate Furnivall novel l.have read and l will certainly read more.
June 13, 2021
This was a bit of a struggle with unlikeable characters and very slow. Not her best.
September 12, 2024
This was an excellent historical fiction story about WW2 in the Far East and gives a good insight into British colonial life at the time. Each chapter was action packed and so well written with excellent descriptions of the Malaysian jungle, Singapore and beyond. There are many twists and turns and the characters were all interesting and well thought out with plenty of character development by the end of the book. It was hard to put down.
Read
February 16, 2017dnf
February 5, 2018
In Kate Furnivall's The White Pearl, this gripping historical romance deals with the harsh realities of surviving doing World War II. In 1941, Constance Hadley accidentally struck a woman with her car in Malaya. She feels bad for the accident and wants to help out the victim's twin children. Both of her kids want nothing to do with her and Maya, the girl puts a curse on her. Before word of war has hit them, Connie remembers she had a brief affair with a Japanese spy and accidentally killed him. While she tried to make amends, she does the best to be the wife to her husband Nigel, a rubber plant plantation owner, and mother to her son Teddy. And when Japan hits Malaya, she would do the best to convince her husband to leave the country on her boat, titled the White Pearl, and sail to Singapore. She convinces her closest friends and couldn't help being attracted to Fitzpayne, an English man who lived on the island. While she's in a loveless marriage to Nigel, they sail away on dangerous waters and meets Morgan Madoc and his wife, a dangerous man who's wants what they have. On the high seas, they come across danger and become wary of Japanese planes from the sky. Later, Connie and her son hid out on a private island, when it became a new undiscovered world of their own. Later, Connie deals with unpredictable danger when the past catches up on her and learns what's worth fighting for, even if it's a new love for keeps and away from war.
August 28, 2012
The White Pearl starts off with a bang...literally. OK, so that was in poor taste but let it suffice to say that the story jumps right in. And I thoroughly enjoyed the book up until about three-quarters of the way in. Overall, it was an enjoyable book but some holes in character development ranked it at a 3/5 for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews