Heather Morris’s books always stay with me long after I finish reading. This one, I’m sure, will be the same. Laura Carmichael narrates beautifully, and this very moving true account of a group of women forced to suffer horrific conditions as prisoners of the Japanese in the Second World War is told sensitively. A compelling story of sadness and fear, and ultimately hope. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another spectacular read by Heather Morris, made even more emotional through listening as an audio book. A harrowing story, and at times a difficult listen. However, the author continues to give these stories justice.

An emotional and heart-rending WW11 narrative written and narrated with such tenderness and sensitivity. When war encroaches on Singapore, musician Nora places her only child Sally on board a ship, hopefully to safety as she stays behind to tend to her ill husband. Soon, she finds herself on board a ship, which is bombed from above. After a perilous 24hrs at sea, she and fellow shipwreckees find themselves rounded up by Japanese soldiers and marched to a POW camp. Nora, a nurse called Nesta, her sister Ena, and a band of stoical and determined women form a support for each other amongst the atrocities suffered at the hands of the soldiers. They form a troupe of nurses to tend to the sick, they create a choir to bring moments of relief and beautiful anthems that form a balm for the soul against their harrowing experiences, even if it is only temporary, and they create a newspaper to share birthdays and key information with their fellow captives. The audiobook brings the voices of the women alive, spoken with heartache, horror, strength, and determination. It's one of my favourite listens of 2023. #sistersundertherisingsun #heathermorris #netgalley #audiobook #historicalfiction

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is the phenomenal new novel of resilience and survival by one of my favourite authors Heather Morris narrated by award-winning actress Laura Carmichael.

This is a story of women during World War II captured by the Japanese and held in one of their notorious POW camps. It is the bond of sisterhood, bravery, courage, resourcefulness, determination, and friendship in the darkest of circumstances.

The audio book includes a dedication, author's note, and two afterwards, each read by the author. A bonus are two songs by the Sydney Women’s Vocal Orchestra with clips from both songs heard throughout the narration. This is the first time I feel privileged to have listened to a book rather than to have read it.

HIGHLY recommend

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a heartbreaking but beautiful and inspiring book, impeccably narrated by Laura Carmichael! It is a story of friendship, sisterhood, resilience and rising through hardships. What struck me most from this book is to never give up on hope even if it seems like there is none.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier UK Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest opinion.

I can't wait for this to come out and for y'all to lose your minds. if you had doubts about preordering, don't. you're going to want to read this one. I raced through it this weekend. Such a smart idea. Narrator was perfect.

Having read several of Heather Morris previous books - I listened to this audio version and while the story was difficult at times it was enthralling and finished it in a couple of days.
Definitely recommend to others

The horrors of the Second World War in Asia are often overshadowed by the war in Europe. Thousands of men and women were incarcerated in Japanese POW camps and their story is not often heard, A Town Like Alice makes reference and the book and tv series Tenko really explored the fate of women in these camps, particularly those captured following the fall of Singapore.

It’s important that their voices are heard; they survived hardship and violations beyond belief and their ingenuity and resilience in dealing with their situation is both harrowing and inspirational. Rising Under the Sun captures the essence of what life was like. It’s unsentimental and from the outset, the different characters are well depicted, including a group of Australian nurses who played an important part. Heather Morris has drawn upon the memories and experience of real people and I think it’s important to remember that this is far more than just a wa story. It’s a testament to bravery, ingenuity, hope and belief. All those imprisoned needed to draw on unknown reserves in order to survive. I was drawn into the story easily and the writing is straightforward. A remarkable and seemingly honest account with much food for thought.

Narration throughout was excellent.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun is a historical novel based on fact and real people. Heather Morris is adept at giving previously unknown heroes and individuals the recognition and platform they deserve.

Norah and John are expats in Singapore as the Japanese invade. They take the decision to send their daughter Sally off with family and they follow behind on HMS Vyner Brooke. Also on board are Norah's sister and a big-hearted group of Australian nurses led by Nesta James. When the Japanese sink their boat, they are all captured and taken as Prisoners of War. Segregated into gendered camps, and moved frequently, this is a story of 3 years of inhumanity and cruelty from their captors but an unbreakable bond formed between the camp inmates. Starved, physically, mentally and sexually assaulted and degraded, the women worked hard to keep their spirits up, not least with a choir and a genuine spirit to do all they could for each other.

I've enjoyed previous books from Heather Morris, not least the opportunity to learn about corners of history that have had less attention. This is a novel with a big heart and it takes the reader on the journey of some very special individuals. It did however, for me, fall a little flat in being so character driven. I would have appreciated more focus on the surroundings, the conditions and how the characters were impacted, beyond their immediate dialogue. Nevertheless, it is a book that I would recommend.

There are some lovely touches at the end , including a follow up as to what happened to the individuals, along with afterwords by some of their relatives.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Laura Carmichael. It is an immersive experience, including clips of the musical pieces that the ladies used to keep them going.

This is an audiobook beautifully narrated by Laura Carmichael of Downton Abbey fame who brings Heather Morris’ story to life. What I was drawn to with this audio was the fact it was based on true facts which always gets my attention. The SS Vyner Brooke was sunk after it was bombed in Feb 1942 and the survivors of this ship were captured by the Japanese and taken to a POW camp. Now these were mainly women prisoners who had to bravely cope with the harshest of treatment and conditions such as starvation and brutal abuse. This audiobook is excellent including musical scores that kept the women’s spirits up. If you are a fan of WWII novels this is a must read and is an emotional and heartbreaking novel. The audiobook ends with a fascinating note from the author full of information she based the book on. Wonderful! My thanks to Netgalley and to Bonnier Audio Uk for my copy.

Unfortunately this book was just not for me, which js a sincere shame after really enjoying Heather Morris’ Auschwitz stories.

There is an incredible message behind this novel, and a very important part of history shared which is often not discussed.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Gosh what an extraordinarily powerful, moving book. How on earth these women survived is beyond imagining. This audiobook is incredible; the recording of The Captives' Hymn at the end reduced me to tears, and the narrator's singing during the book is haunting and beautiful as well.
Heather Morris has a real gift for sensitively conveying the horrorof these true and heartbreaking war stories - I have read / listened to all of her books and thought this one was the best so far.
Such a special experience - very grateful thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook.

A moving and beautifully written story, set in Singapore and Indonesia, about the bravery and resilience of women during WWII.

The characters captured my heart, especially sisters, Norah and Nesta, and June, the little girl they rescued from the sea. All of the women did everything they could to survive and supported each other, under hellish and brutal conditions as prisoners of the Japanese army.

The descriptions and emotions were written sensitively and highlighted the small moments of joy that were to be found amongst the horror, especially the music, which was incredible and a great reason to choose the audiobook version of this book.

Of course, not all of the women survived and the way some of them died was shocking and heartbreaking. It’s really hard to accept that events such as this occurred less than 100 years ago and I believe that stories such as this are important to ensure that we never forget.

Laura Carmichael’s narration was excellent, I especially loved her Dutch accent.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Heather Morris and Bonnier for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Great Narrator perfect time and lace for the story. I believe this narrator is fairly well known and well thought of actress this shows in her performance here.
The novel itself is heart wrenching and at times hard to listen to. As is with all the authors work hard as is it listen it’s important to hear we can’t forget what happened in the past. Heart wrenching and compelling but full of hope. The way the writer portrays these real life stories leads me to believe there is some good in the world if we only have hope and strive to be kind. Another amazing story all the more harrowing for it being based on the real life events.
Added bonus the interview with the author at the end of the audiobook adds a great dimension to the book. Highly recommended