This book covers a brutal part of history I knew nothing about. The Japanese occupation in Singapore during WWII. The story follows two time lines. One during WWIIm where seventeen year old Wang Di is captured and shipped off to a Japanese military brothel. And the second time line is in the year 2000 where Wang Di's mind is still haunted by her experiences during the war. And we also follow Kevin, a twelve year old boy who overhears a confession from his grandmother and wants to find out the truth.

It's a heartbreaking story, a difficult subject and a bit slow moving in parts, but I was very impressed. We know horrible things happen during wars, but reading somthing like this, where Lee used her own family's history to tell what hapend makes it somehow more real. Horrifying but beautifully told.

At its core, How We Disappeared focusses on a forgotten facet of history: the existence of the so-called "comfort women" of World War 2 or, to put it more factually (and therefore, less euphemistically), the young girls and women who were forced into sexual slavery by the forces of Imperial Japan. It is a disgusting, horrifying part of reality; one buried and overlooked by both history books and the cultures that once perpetuated it. Because of that, it is a part of history where the women involved (those who are still alive and therefore, are still able to) have yet to fully recover from. And, how could they? To be sold/tricked/forced into sexual slavery and then shamed for it, if/when they returned home. If I prayed, I would for them; belying that, I hold them near and dear to my heart - always to be remembered, never to be forgotten.
But, even though this novel opened my eyes to their reality, I am still forced to give it a low rating. Because, its focus - which should have been solely on the experiences of these women - meandered and blurred into multiple narrative threads. The inclusion of the surplus chapters pulled the audience away from the true message of the tale and turned its plot into something cold and confused. It should have done them justice but, for me at least, it fell way short of ever achieving that mark.

I think this is an amazing debut, such strong language and such an interesting structure to tell this harrowing story. Having said that, it was just not my type of book, it really did not work for me despite appreciating that objectively, this is a good book.

How We Disappeared by Jing-Jing Lee
Published by Oneworld Publications
Publication date: 06 February 2020

Jing-Jing Lee’s debut novel, How We Disappeared, is so accomplished that it’s difficult to believe it’s a debut at all. It is beautiful, harrowing, the writing exquisite—elegant, but not flowery, poised, but not stilted.

Set in Singapore, the story weaves deftly back and forth, from 1942 and the beginning of the Japanese Occupation, to the year 2000, drawing you into two times that couldn’t be any more different for the small but pivotal city state. Having lived in Singapore, I found myself there again as I read, at times time travelling to it as I’d never seen it; images of a more rustic and terrified city superimposed over memories of familiar places. Of course, I knew of the Occupation, knew it was horrific, but looking at it through this lens, through the eyes of a character so full of subtleties, so human, it became real. And even more horrifying. This is not to say, however, that this is a book that wallows. It doesn’t and, in that, reflects the character of the place and of its people. 

In the year 2000, the story follows two characters, one elderly, one just a child, and as a mystery unfurls, allows the reader to get to know the very interesting inner lives of both and see the city through their eyes. This timeline, as it darts in and out of the other, provides the reader with a space to breathe, process, and be thankful for not inhabiting the world of the occupation, while reminding us that people’s histories are invisible and compassion is too often in short supply. 

I cannot recommend this book more. I know I will read it again and have been waiting patiently for publication date to buy it for friends and family who I know will find it as absorbing and affecting as I did. Jing-Jing Lee is most certainly one to watch. 

With many thanks to Oneworld Publications and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful book.

Many many thanks to oneworld publications and NetGalley for this ARC.

First of all, wow!

This was intensely nerve racking and heartbreaking.

I can't begin to say how I feel, but I'm glad I read this. I enjoy historical books and this one was sad and distressing but well written.

Would I recommend yes I would!

This is a sad story of women in WW2 during Japanese occupation of Singapore. I can't say it was an enjoyable read at any sense, because it was so sad and distressing. But, as usual it was very well written by Lee.
She's really good at telling historical stories that is important to remember and know.

I'd recommend her books any day.
Thanks a lot NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Harrowing and heartbreaking account of a comfort woman during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II and how the suffering continues through public shaming from the comfort women's own families and communities.


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