Book set in 1940s Java – terrific evocation

• Book: Ghostwritten
• Location: Java, St Mawes
• Author: Isabel Wolff

Review Author: tripfiction

Jenni, in modern day is ghost writing the memoirs of Klara, who looks back at her time of childhood on Java and subsequent internment in a Japanese POW camp. Jenni and Klara are ensconced in a beautiful part of Cornwall as they explore the story together. A mere child, Klara had to witness horrors that were imposed on the Europeans on Jave after the Japanese invasion. The degradation and sadism that Klara encountered is impressively rendered: the women are interred, with little food, hours of being counted (Tenko) under the stifling sun, and tackling the arduous task of eking out any rations that happen to come their way. Even having to endure a bread van touring up and down, exuding the wonderful smells of freshly backed bread, that the internees were never to savour – one of innumerable sadistic strategies devised to cow the inmates. And the women, cooped up together, had to find a way of co-existing and being mutually supportive. Klara’s very personal and heartbreaking story is broken up by Jenni’s own story, leaving her to reflect upon her a traumatic event in her past and how it impacts on her adult intimate relationship. It certainly gives the reader a bit of respite from the dire conditions of the camps. As their mutual stories continue, both women come to the realisation that they share similar and traumatic events in their lives, and by working together they can mutually ease their individual sense of loss. This is a poignant and captivating story that imparts a little history of Java, truly evokes the country, and beautifully renders the worlds of two women who happen to be thrown together with a common purpose.

The richness and vibrancy of the people and the country are beautifully brought to life.

This novel is reviewed on our blog together with The Separation set in 1950s Malaya – you can read more here

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