Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Thirteen

Part 13:   "Years (1945)" through "V-J Day (1945)" pages 246-265.



Welcome to day thirteen of the Read-Along!  Two more days and we will have completed the read-along.  I hope you have enjoyed the book as  much as I have.
 
Discussion Starters:

1. In this part of the novel we skip forward a couple of years and Henry's communication with Keiko has faltered some during that time.  Why do you think Henry is getting so little news from Keiko?


2. What do you think about Henry's father still refusing to speak to him after all this time?


3. What do you think of the deal Henry makes with his father to keep the Panama Hotel from being sold?


4. What did you think of Ethel meeting Henry at the Panama Hotel?


5. What did you think of Henry's father's confession when he tells Henry "I did it for you?"

Other comments on this section...

For Thursday we will be reading our final portion of the novel "Broken Records (1986)" through "New York (1986)" pages 266-285.  See you back here tomorrow!

How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Twelve

Part 12:   "Waiting (1942)" through "Letters (1943)" pages 226-245.


Welcome to day twelve of the Read-Along!  We only have a couple more days of reading to go.  I don't know about you, but often when I get to this point in a book, I find it hard to put down.  I keep reading until the finish because I just have to know how this novel will end.
 
Discussion Starters:

1. Keiko and her family accept Henry the way he is.  Why do you think that acceptance was so important and so foreign to Henry?


2. Despite the way they have been treated, Mr. Okabe and the other Japanese say that they are loyal and show their loyalty by being obedient?  Would you have been loyal/obiedient in similar circumstances?


3. What do you think of Henry's father's plan to send him away now?  What do you think was motivating it?

Other comments on this section...

For Wednesday we will be reading "Years (1945)" through "V-J Day (1945)" pages 246-265.  See you back here tomorrow!

How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Eleven

Part 11:   "Thirteen (1942)" through "Sheldon Thomas (1986)" pages 208-225.


Welcome to the last week of the Read-Along!  I hope you are enjoying the book so far.  We are almost done, and I know I have really enjoyed reading this remarkable novel. 
 
Discussion Starters:

1. How does Henry change when he turns 13, the age of adulthood in Henry's family?


2. Do you think Henry is to blame for his father's condition?


3. Did you expect what Henry did with the Oscar Holdin record?

Other comments on this section...

For Tuesday we will be reading "Waiting (1942)" through "Letters (1943)" pages 208-225.  Enjoy the reading for tomorrow!
How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Ten

Part 10:   "Camp Anyway (1942)" through "Stranger (1942)" pages 186-207.


Henry is now living with the consequences of his actions, a stranger in his own home.  Henry seems to accept the consequences for his actions, but I had more difficulty.  I hope you are enjoying the read-along.  Don't forget to chime in with what you think of this novel in the comments!
 
Discussion Starters:

1. What do you think of the way Henry's parents treat him after he saved Keiko's bleongings?


2. Why do you think Henry and Keiko had so much trouble admitting their feelings that last night at Camp Harmony?


3. What do you think of Henry's father telling him "You are a stranger to me?"  Do you think he is blaming Henry for his own condition?

Other comments on this section...

For Monday we will be reading "Thirteen (1942)" through "Sheldon Thomas (1986)" pages 208-225.  Take some time, catch up on your reading, and enjoy your weekend!

How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Nine

Part 9:   "Home Again (1942)" through "Sheldon's Record (1942)" pages 166-185.


Something about this book just pulled me in from the very beginning.  There is something significant about the father son relationships in this novel and they are very important to the characters.  We see our main character Henry, as both a father and a son, and his isn't perfect at either.  How similiar are fathers and sons really?
 
Discussion Starters:

1. Henry's father wants him to get a traditional Chinese education, but is making his son wear a button saying "I'm American" and won't let him speak Cantonese at home.  What do you think of this contradiction?


2. Why do you think Henry and Marty talked so little about Henry's father?


3. What did you think about how Henry's father reacted to finding Keiko's albums?

Other comments on this section...

For tomorrow we will be reading "Camp Anyway (1942)" through "Stranger (1942)" pages 186-207.  See you all back tomorrow!


How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Eight

Part 8:   "Sketchbook (1986)" through "Visiting Hours (1942)" pages 140-165.


In this section of the novel we see Henry finding things that belonged to Keiko and her family in the Panama Hotel.  It was interesting to see his reaction after finding so many long lost items.  Hope you are enjoying the story.
 
Discussion Starters:

1. Why do you think Keiko's sketchbook was one of the items left in the Panama Hotel?


2. When Henry finds the record, he breaths "a sigh of quiet relief."  Why do you think he was relieved to find a broken record?


3. What do you think the broken record represents?  Do you think it is symbolic?


4. Henry says the record like so many other things in his life have arrived damaged and mentions his father, his marriage, and his life.  What do you think he means by this?


5. What do you think of Mrs. Beatty?


6. What do you think of Camp Harmony?

Other comments on this section...

For tomorrow we will be reading "Home Again (1942)" through "Sheldon's Record (1942)" pages 166-185.  Hope to see you all back tomorrow!


How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Seven

Part 7:   "Parents (1942)" through "Empty Streets (1942)" pages 119-139.


Hope you enjoyed the reading yesterday!  This book really has me hooked.
 
Discussion Starters:

1. There were some advantages to the fact that Henry's father wouldn't let him speak Cantonese anymore.  Do you think Henry was wrong to use these circumstances to his advantage?


2. After the Japanese reolcation from Bainbridge Island, Henry notes that things at school were normal and even peaceful and that it seemed like the event had never happened.  How do you think that made Henry and Keiko feel?  How does that make you feel?


3. What do you think of Keiko's family?


4. What do you think of Henry's mother's offer to speak to him?

Other comments on this section...

For tomorrow we will be reading "Sketchbook (1986)" through "Visiting Hours (1942)" pages 140-165.  Hope to see you all back tomorrow!


How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!