The Bird in the Bamboo Cage

This was an excellent read. I really couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I loved Nancy, Miss Kent and Co. They were wonderful characters and the courage, bravery, strength and resilience shown by them was something to be greatly admired, especially considering the terrifying and dangerous situation they'd found themselves caught up in.

I hadn't been aware of Chefoo School and how the students from there had been sent to an Internment Camp, so that was pretty enlightening.

Thank you to PH and Hazel for the chance to read this book.

What an absolutely delightful book this is, don't get me wrong sometimes the subject matter is disturbing and hard to read at times but ultimately this is a story of hope, resilience and of never giving up.

The story alternates between Elspeth, a teacher at Chefoo School and Nancy, a pupil boarding at the school. It was so interesting to hear the story through both of these characters and their own perspective of the events taking place. The year 1941, Nancy has just been told she won't be reunited with her parents over the Christmas period and will need to remain at the school. Heartbroken that she won't see her parents for another year she tries to remain upbeat knowing that her brother and best friend will also be there at the school during Christmas. Then war breaks out! Japan declare war on the British Empire and the United States of America. And then the soldiers arrive. I so desperately felt for both Elspeth and Nancy, what an impossible situation to find yourself in.

As the chapters flow we hear of the brutality of war and the abuse from some of the soldiers; their fight for survival as they are uprooted several times and the challenges they face each day. What was so lovely was the relationships between the children and their teachers. You also hear of Elspeth's own backstory and the personal struggles she faces on a day to day basis.

Throughout the book years pass and it is heartbreaking to hear how the children's childhood changes drastically in that time. Once innocent and care-free now cautious to the potential dangers around them and having to grow up quickly whilst depriving their developing bodies of the nutrients they so desperately need. Through the support of the adults around them the children manage to remain optimistic, develop lasting friendships and share moments of laughter and joy.

This was definitely the emotional read I was expecting, the story line and characters constantly tugging on my heartstrings. This was such a beautifully written novel that I couldn't help getting caught up in the events taking place, from the cruelty dished out by the soldiers to the defining moments of survival. The ending was very touching and simply perfect. I loved how we meet Nancy 30 years later and discover what happened to her and some of the others after the war ended. This book will stay with me for a long time having made such an imprint on my heart.

Many thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Collins for inviting me to join the blog tour. A truly wonderful, touching book which I will treasure and highly recommend.