Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

"At least we were together " - Henry Lee
"No, at most you were together" - Sheldon

Taken from the book I just finished reading, by Jamie Ford. I like it. Do I love it? Not exactly.
It follows a rather typical love fiction, similar to those by Nicholas Sparks maybe? Complete with certain unexpected twists and a relatively happy ending that won't leave readers wanting to stab the author.
I would say it's an easy read, light enough for a weekend, and still will touch your heart in one way or another.

The story's main theme revolve around first love, lost love.
What differentiates it from the other love stories I've read would be its context. I really liked that the focus was on the intergenerational racial tension of Japanese and Chinese in America at the height of World War II. I've not read fictions that focus on such context so it was a breadth of fresh air given that Jamie Ford was quite good at the detailed descriptions of the situation and the physical context of that time. I also liked that there were some significant details of the story that carried out through the story (i.e. a particular memento) because it feels like there is connection weaved into the story line.
Another aspect of the story that I thought was different was the theme of the family ties that were brought up rather frequently and how different families communicate when they identify themselves with different parts of their identity (i.e. as a Chinese VS as a second-generation American). I think that is relevant even till today, even when we call ourselves "global citizens". Certain aspects of our identity are salient in certain situations and how we perceive anything is then related to this saliency.

The story is sad. Sad. Enough to make me tear (okay, I cried) but I guess it's also because the story tells of a theme that's close to everyone's heart - love, particularly about first love and distance. So while that may not be the most refreshing theme, it still tugs strings. Reminds me of the recent post I had about commitment, how it's not easy to achieve, and how time, distance and in the book's case, people become part of "inevitable circumstances".
In the story, the lead character took a while to realise how sometimes our actions reflect our intention to actually pursue something. While he knew he wanted her, he also knew that he could have done a lot of things, other than to let her go, which he chose anyway. So to live in regret became a large part of his life, a part of the memory which he blocked very carefully till the years go by. But in the end, perhaps what the story is trying to say is that you can always "un-fix" what seems to be "broken". Actually, fixing seems to be quite key in the story, but read for yourself =)

I think it's a nice book to pick up, and reminds all of us especially those who have a second chance at their first love, to treasure it ;)

(Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/66/Hotel_on_the_Corner_of_Bitter_and_Sweet_cover.jpg)

"Henry was learning that time apart has a way of creating distance - more than the mountains and time zone separating them. Real distance, the kind that makes you ache and stop wondering. Longing so bad it begins to hurt to care so much" p.382