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The Hidden Flower
An affecting portrait of interracial love in post-war Japan
Pearl S. Buck’s The Hidden Flower centers on the relationship between a Japanese student and an American soldier stationed in post-war Japan. The Japanese student’s father worked in the United States as a doctor, but had to flee to Kyoto to avoid imprisonment in an internment camp. The American soldier has inherited his family’s estate in Virginia, where interracial marriage is forbidden. Against such forces, and without the help of their families, how can the love between the young pair—and the future of their child—flourish? The Hidden Flower is an emotionally astute and moving exploration of a taboo love across cultures.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from the author’s estate.
Pearl S. Buck’s The Hidden Flower centers on the relationship between a Japanese student and an American soldier stationed in post-war Japan. The Japanese student’s father worked in the United States as a doctor, but had to flee to Kyoto to avoid imprisonment in an internment camp. The American soldier has inherited his family’s estate in Virginia, where interracial marriage is forbidden. Against such forces, and without the help of their families, how can the love between the young pair—and the future of their child—flourish? The Hidden Flower is an emotionally astute and moving exploration of a taboo love across cultures.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from the author’s estate.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1952
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About the author
Pearl S. Buck
685books2,904followersPearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck was an American writer and novelist. She is best known for The Good Earth, the best-selling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932 and which won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938, Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China" and for her "masterpieces", two memoir-biographies of her missionary parents.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 26, 2019
Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) was one of my favorite authors back in the late 1940s and 50s. In 1938, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “The Good Earth�. It also won the 1932 Pulitzer Prize. Buck was a professor at the University of Nanking. She was there during the battle between Chiang Kai-Shek’s (1887-1975) Nationalist troops and Mao Zedong’s (1893-1976) army. Buck fled to Japan for safety. She returned to Nanking after a year.
This book does not come up to Buck’s usual standards. But considering the personal trauma from the War she had just undergone; it is not surprising she had trouble writing. This a story of an American soldier marrying a Japanese woman and the end of WWII.
This book is almost forgotten, which is no surprise considering it was not Buck’s best works, but the message of the book is important. I enjoyed the photographs included in the book.
I read this as an e-book purchased from Amazon. It is 420 pages and was originally published in 1952.
This book does not come up to Buck’s usual standards. But considering the personal trauma from the War she had just undergone; it is not surprising she had trouble writing. This a story of an American soldier marrying a Japanese woman and the end of WWII.
This book is almost forgotten, which is no surprise considering it was not Buck’s best works, but the message of the book is important. I enjoyed the photographs included in the book.
I read this as an e-book purchased from Amazon. It is 420 pages and was originally published in 1952.
February 17, 2018
Having recently read some of Pearl Buck’s novels and enjoyed them so much, I found this little gem as I looked over her other works. A departure from writing about the lives of Chinses peasant farmers, The Hidden Flower is the story of an American US Army officer, Allen Kennedy, in occupied Japan at the end of WWII, and a local Japanese girl, Josui Sakai, of a good family. They fall in love but their passions do not heed the warnings of Josui’s family and the Army. Not only is their affair shunned by her parents and Japan but it is a black eye on Allen’s service record and will inhibit his ability to be promoted to higher rank. Their love tells them they can overcome any obstacles, and they marry. They cannot live in Japan so they travel to the US expecting open arms of Allen’s family but find raw prejudices AND a law in Virginia, Allen’s home state, that prohibits whites from marrying people of color. They move to New York where there is no law against their marriage but, Allen is not allowed to bring his bride home because of inconsiderations by Allen’s mother.
There is more to the story but I don’t want to give away any secrets. I highly recommend this novel. Pearl S. Buck is a masterful story teller.
This powerful story could be told similarly in current times, and, though interracial marriage happens in the US, there are still prejudices that have to be dealt with. Maybe someday narrow mindedness will become obsolete in societies� beliefs and will be replaced by acceptance.
There is more to the story but I don’t want to give away any secrets. I highly recommend this novel. Pearl S. Buck is a masterful story teller.
This powerful story could be told similarly in current times, and, though interracial marriage happens in the US, there are still prejudices that have to be dealt with. Maybe someday narrow mindedness will become obsolete in societies� beliefs and will be replaced by acceptance.
September 10, 2021
Although I have no doubt that Pearl S. Buck is a great writer, there is also no doubt in my mind that this is a horrible book.
The Hidden Flower opens a few years after World War II has ended. Josui Sakai is a young college student in Japan, who grew up in America before her family decided to move back to their home country when they were threatened with internment for Japanese-Americans. Josui's father feels that America betrayed him, and now forbids any Western customs in his traditional, strictly run household. So when Josui meets and falls in love with a handsome young American officer named Allen Kennedy, it is not well received by her family. They two young people are forbidden from seeing each other, and yet, they have a hurried wedding and head back to the States together. After being turned out by one family, Josui finds her new in-laws to be even more hostile with their prejudice and racism, and must decide if her love can withstand the difficulties that accompany it.
This story was absolutely ridiculous. It's a shame - I was very excited when I found it in a used book store. I love finding books by famous authors when the individual work itself is relatively unheard of.
However, there is apparently a good reason why this one has been overlooked. It deserves to be.
Josui is a silly, timid creature that I certainly never felt any warmth toward. She is made out to be intelligent and good and wonderful (as everyone in the book is always telling us), but I saw no evidence of this. Rather, I saw many stereotypes of a diminutive, obediently demure Asian wife, which is a very unfortunate portrayal. It wasn't as bad as many other examples I have read by male authors published in this time period, but it wasn't exactly good, either. And for all that Buck describes Josui as being clever and strong, that did not make it so.
I felt particularly frustrated by how many times in the book Josui is made to bow her head and endure humiliation, racism, her selfish husband's actions, etc. and endure all of this with grace and compassion, always forgiving and understanding in the end, with a strong air of self-sacrifice. She is then praised for her goodness and graciousness, her class and elegance.
I think that this book has to contain one of the worst romance stories I have ever read.
Josui meets an American officer, Allen, one day while walking to school. Though she knows she shouldn't, she tells him her name and where she lives after he pressures her to do so - already, off to a bad start.
A few days after that, the two meet. They only spend a few hours together, but after that, they are saying that they are in love, and Josui is already planning her marriage to him and the children that they will have.
A few months later, (they never see each other again in this time) they hastily marry.
Buck constantly gives us phrases such as "And he did love her. With all his heart." And this is within the first few hours that Allen has ever met Josui. The author builds up a grand romance in the character's heads, but this is firmly where it stays - in their delusional minds.
I intensely disliked the character of Allen.
Everything about the way he goes about this supposed "love" story of his was distasteful.
For as much as he desperately tries to convince everyone that he is "in love," it seems clear that what is really driving his actions is lust. He simply wants to have sex, but the thought of sleeping with a prostitute is a turn-off for him (he tells us). Sophisticated, proper women are his thing, but he will only be allowed to have such a girl if he marries her. So, he goes about marrying, and telling himself that he is passionately in love with, the very first high-born, traditional Japanese girl he meets. Or sees, rather.
He is very annoying with his overwrought exclamations of adoration that ring falsely ridiculous, and selfish in everything he does.
When Allen's mother refuses to let Josui stay in her home, instead of standing up to her, he lies to Josui about it and tells her they must move somewhere else. When Allen's mother invites him home for Christmas, but refuses again to let Josui come visit, he simply goes without her. (!!)
And he is constantly dwelling on the idea of his ex, Cynthia - he should have married Cynthia, Cynthia is his match, Cynthia is perfect for him, Cynthia, Cynthia, Cynthia.
He doesn't actually feel any love toward this Cynthia either, though - I think that he just wanted to convince himself that every girl in town wanted him.
Another annoyance was how every character seemed to have some sort of psychic ability to magically know what other people were thinking.
One day, after Josui has secretly met with Allen, her father says to her "Something has happened. I see it in your face. You have met someone." And this is when she has just walked in the door!
Another time, when she is sad about Allen, her mother somehow knows exactly what is going on the moment Josui looks into her eyes when she wakes her.
In short, this wasn't a successful attempt at a romance. The entire story, I just wished that Allen would die, or something - anything to stop them from carrying on with their ridiculous supposed "romance." Please let this poor woman just go live timidly in peace somewhere!
Surely, this is not the thoughts a reader should have in a love story.
I am very glad that this book was relatively short, because it was already hard enough to get through.
I am also glad that Pearl S. Buck has other, far better novels I can read, and comfort myself with. I suppose that we all have our bad days, even famous authors.
The Hidden Flower opens a few years after World War II has ended. Josui Sakai is a young college student in Japan, who grew up in America before her family decided to move back to their home country when they were threatened with internment for Japanese-Americans. Josui's father feels that America betrayed him, and now forbids any Western customs in his traditional, strictly run household. So when Josui meets and falls in love with a handsome young American officer named Allen Kennedy, it is not well received by her family. They two young people are forbidden from seeing each other, and yet, they have a hurried wedding and head back to the States together. After being turned out by one family, Josui finds her new in-laws to be even more hostile with their prejudice and racism, and must decide if her love can withstand the difficulties that accompany it.
This story was absolutely ridiculous. It's a shame - I was very excited when I found it in a used book store. I love finding books by famous authors when the individual work itself is relatively unheard of.
However, there is apparently a good reason why this one has been overlooked. It deserves to be.
Josui is a silly, timid creature that I certainly never felt any warmth toward. She is made out to be intelligent and good and wonderful (as everyone in the book is always telling us), but I saw no evidence of this. Rather, I saw many stereotypes of a diminutive, obediently demure Asian wife, which is a very unfortunate portrayal. It wasn't as bad as many other examples I have read by male authors published in this time period, but it wasn't exactly good, either. And for all that Buck describes Josui as being clever and strong, that did not make it so.
I felt particularly frustrated by how many times in the book Josui is made to bow her head and endure humiliation, racism, her selfish husband's actions, etc. and endure all of this with grace and compassion, always forgiving and understanding in the end, with a strong air of self-sacrifice. She is then praised for her goodness and graciousness, her class and elegance.
I think that this book has to contain one of the worst romance stories I have ever read.
Josui meets an American officer, Allen, one day while walking to school. Though she knows she shouldn't, she tells him her name and where she lives after he pressures her to do so - already, off to a bad start.
A few days after that, the two meet. They only spend a few hours together, but after that, they are saying that they are in love, and Josui is already planning her marriage to him and the children that they will have.
A few months later, (they never see each other again in this time) they hastily marry.
Buck constantly gives us phrases such as "And he did love her. With all his heart." And this is within the first few hours that Allen has ever met Josui. The author builds up a grand romance in the character's heads, but this is firmly where it stays - in their delusional minds.
I intensely disliked the character of Allen.
Everything about the way he goes about this supposed "love" story of his was distasteful.
For as much as he desperately tries to convince everyone that he is "in love," it seems clear that what is really driving his actions is lust. He simply wants to have sex, but the thought of sleeping with a prostitute is a turn-off for him (he tells us). Sophisticated, proper women are his thing, but he will only be allowed to have such a girl if he marries her. So, he goes about marrying, and telling himself that he is passionately in love with, the very first high-born, traditional Japanese girl he meets. Or sees, rather.
He is very annoying with his overwrought exclamations of adoration that ring falsely ridiculous, and selfish in everything he does.
When Allen's mother refuses to let Josui stay in her home, instead of standing up to her, he lies to Josui about it and tells her they must move somewhere else. When Allen's mother invites him home for Christmas, but refuses again to let Josui come visit, he simply goes without her. (!!)
And he is constantly dwelling on the idea of his ex, Cynthia - he should have married Cynthia, Cynthia is his match, Cynthia is perfect for him, Cynthia, Cynthia, Cynthia.
He doesn't actually feel any love toward this Cynthia either, though - I think that he just wanted to convince himself that every girl in town wanted him.
Another annoyance was how every character seemed to have some sort of psychic ability to magically know what other people were thinking.
One day, after Josui has secretly met with Allen, her father says to her "Something has happened. I see it in your face. You have met someone." And this is when she has just walked in the door!
Another time, when she is sad about Allen, her mother somehow knows exactly what is going on the moment Josui looks into her eyes when she wakes her.
In short, this wasn't a successful attempt at a romance. The entire story, I just wished that Allen would die, or something - anything to stop them from carrying on with their ridiculous supposed "romance." Please let this poor woman just go live timidly in peace somewhere!
Surely, this is not the thoughts a reader should have in a love story.
I am very glad that this book was relatively short, because it was already hard enough to get through.
I am also glad that Pearl S. Buck has other, far better novels I can read, and comfort myself with. I suppose that we all have our bad days, even famous authors.
August 27, 2013
I read the other reviews and I understand that most people don't find this an enticing love story. Well, that might be because this story was never meant to be a love story. I think it is more about the kid, Lennie. It is about how people, fall recklessly in love or what they imagine to be love and make hasty decisions that lead them to consequences. Consequences like Lennie that they are not willing to take responsibility for.
Beautiful story, poignant and touching..
Beautiful story, poignant and touching..
February 11, 2025
تناول ساذج جدا لقضية العنصرية أو لعلها الترجمة السيئة للنص لكن توقعت أن يكون أفضل
May 15, 2018
Every five to ten years I pick up a Pearl S. Buck novel and am always impressed with her ability to portray the complex issues that surface in relationships between members of different races. In this novel, she slowly unravels the passions, realities, and subtle racism that come into play when an American serviceman falls for a college student from a prominent but conquered Japanese family.
When we first meet Lt. Allen Kennedy, he is a handsome, rising star, a favorite of his Colonel and a powerful member of the occupying army in Japan after the end of World War II. Josui Sakai, the daughter of a prominent doctor in Kyoto, sits uncomfortably between the American culture of her youth (she grew up in California until War War II began) and the Japanese culture so revered in Kyoto, where her father moved the family rather than be sent to an internment camp in the US. Following the death of his only son during the war and furious at the injustice of the interment camps, Dr. Sakai holds strong anti-American sentiment and desperately wants his daughter to live the life of a traditional Japanese woman. He even has a groom in mind for her.
Inevitably, when Allen and Josui fall in love - the intensity of their feelings lead them to believe that love is all they need. But as their romance unfolds, they must face family obstacles, religious prejudices, bureaucratic difficulties, legal challenges, and social restrictions. These are beautifully drawn but flawed human beings, who wind up facing so many difficulties that even the nature of their love is eventually called into question. It’s a beautiful story, with a realistic ending. Enjoy!
When we first meet Lt. Allen Kennedy, he is a handsome, rising star, a favorite of his Colonel and a powerful member of the occupying army in Japan after the end of World War II. Josui Sakai, the daughter of a prominent doctor in Kyoto, sits uncomfortably between the American culture of her youth (she grew up in California until War War II began) and the Japanese culture so revered in Kyoto, where her father moved the family rather than be sent to an internment camp in the US. Following the death of his only son during the war and furious at the injustice of the interment camps, Dr. Sakai holds strong anti-American sentiment and desperately wants his daughter to live the life of a traditional Japanese woman. He even has a groom in mind for her.
Inevitably, when Allen and Josui fall in love - the intensity of their feelings lead them to believe that love is all they need. But as their romance unfolds, they must face family obstacles, religious prejudices, bureaucratic difficulties, legal challenges, and social restrictions. These are beautifully drawn but flawed human beings, who wind up facing so many difficulties that even the nature of their love is eventually called into question. It’s a beautiful story, with a realistic ending. Enjoy!
April 8, 2018
This book started out slow, but as it picked up I could not put it down. The first paragraph impressed me, the beginning sentence:
"The garden was quiet. Beyond the wall no echo of footsteps could be heard above the soft incessant splash of the waterfall. The silence was planned, as everything in the garden was planned, though all seems nature itself."
It is a beautiful story of an American who meets a Japanese woman and falls in love with a woman whom he considers to be the most beautiful and perfect person he has ever met, much like the garden in this first paragraph of the book. Then he brings her to America, expecting his parents to accept her. But his parents have their own idea of perfection: plans of a marriage with a certain American woman and living in their small Virginian town in their own mansion. And the Japanese woman's parents also had their own plans, that of her marrying a nice Japanese man that they had picked out for her.
I felt that Pearl Buck handled this story on racism very well, and it showed how difficult it is for mixed marriages to work, especially after American had just ended a war with Japan. Hopefully, someday people can accept all races and interracial marriages, but then that is my own naivety, my own desires for perfection.
"The garden was quiet. Beyond the wall no echo of footsteps could be heard above the soft incessant splash of the waterfall. The silence was planned, as everything in the garden was planned, though all seems nature itself."
It is a beautiful story of an American who meets a Japanese woman and falls in love with a woman whom he considers to be the most beautiful and perfect person he has ever met, much like the garden in this first paragraph of the book. Then he brings her to America, expecting his parents to accept her. But his parents have their own idea of perfection: plans of a marriage with a certain American woman and living in their small Virginian town in their own mansion. And the Japanese woman's parents also had their own plans, that of her marrying a nice Japanese man that they had picked out for her.
I felt that Pearl Buck handled this story on racism very well, and it showed how difficult it is for mixed marriages to work, especially after American had just ended a war with Japan. Hopefully, someday people can accept all races and interracial marriages, but then that is my own naivety, my own desires for perfection.
October 20, 2017
In the book, The Hidden Flower, the look of love was on American, First Sergeant, Allen Kennedy’s face the moment he saw the beautiful, refined, 20-year-old, college student, Josei Sakai. Stationed in Occupied Japan in 1947, a smitten, 24-year-old, Allen was from an affluent, Virginia family, and used to having his way. He requested Josei’s address. He observed her refinement and dress, discerned her family well-to-do, and asked to meet them. Knowing her proud, dour, and embittered father would not approve of an American, Josei rebuffed him, but Allen refused to give up. Yet, eventually, Josei too yielded to what she considered, at that time, a beautiful man.
Josei and her parents once lived in California. However, after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Government’s incarceration of American Japanese began in February 1942. Instead of being interned, fifteen-year-old Josei and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Sakai, relocated to Japan.
Within a month of seeing each other, Allen and Josei fell in love. Dr. Sakai did not approve of Allen, nor his wish to marry Josei. He harbored secrets concerning love in the States, prior to marrying Josei’s mother. Josei, considered an obedient daughter, almost gave up on marrying Allen, accepting her father’s arrangement to marry a young, wealthy, Japanese, who adored her. But principled Josei was in love with Allen and became adamant about marrying him.
Josei and Allen were married in a Buddhist ceremony in Japan, attended by her parents and their maid. But in Virginia, Mrs. Kennedy, a Christian, did not accept the Buddhist ceremony, nor Josei’s presence in her home. Mrs. Kennedy’s armor was the marriage violated the Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute, prohibiting marriage between “whites� and people of color. Allen’s father appeared to accept Josei, but complied with his wife’s commands.
The love Josei and Allen appeared to possess plummeted. Allen, an only child, had lived in long-standing opulence of wealth and land. He loved Josei, but conflicted, he missed not living in the Kennedy home, in his rooms in the spacious mansion.
It became apparent that, although Josei loved Allen, she would realize he was not her helpmate and she was not his.
Josei would journey down a difficult road, but eventually, like the chrysanthemum flower mentioned throughout the novel, she would continually change shape, eventually to a perfect spiral.
This is a book written over sixty years ago, yet so much of the story still resonates in society today. Keep a box of Kleenex on hand. I give this book five stars.
Josei and her parents once lived in California. However, after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Government’s incarceration of American Japanese began in February 1942. Instead of being interned, fifteen-year-old Josei and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Sakai, relocated to Japan.
Within a month of seeing each other, Allen and Josei fell in love. Dr. Sakai did not approve of Allen, nor his wish to marry Josei. He harbored secrets concerning love in the States, prior to marrying Josei’s mother. Josei, considered an obedient daughter, almost gave up on marrying Allen, accepting her father’s arrangement to marry a young, wealthy, Japanese, who adored her. But principled Josei was in love with Allen and became adamant about marrying him.
Josei and Allen were married in a Buddhist ceremony in Japan, attended by her parents and their maid. But in Virginia, Mrs. Kennedy, a Christian, did not accept the Buddhist ceremony, nor Josei’s presence in her home. Mrs. Kennedy’s armor was the marriage violated the Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute, prohibiting marriage between “whites� and people of color. Allen’s father appeared to accept Josei, but complied with his wife’s commands.
The love Josei and Allen appeared to possess plummeted. Allen, an only child, had lived in long-standing opulence of wealth and land. He loved Josei, but conflicted, he missed not living in the Kennedy home, in his rooms in the spacious mansion.
It became apparent that, although Josei loved Allen, she would realize he was not her helpmate and she was not his.
Josei would journey down a difficult road, but eventually, like the chrysanthemum flower mentioned throughout the novel, she would continually change shape, eventually to a perfect spiral.
This is a book written over sixty years ago, yet so much of the story still resonates in society today. Keep a box of Kleenex on hand. I give this book five stars.
June 27, 2018
Especially if you are a Westerner interested in things Asian, Pearl S. Buck is a writer you cannot escape. Of course she mostly wrote about China, so discovering this relatively obscure book dealing with the post-WWII American Occupation of Japan (something I cannot get enough of) was quite exciting. I'd never read her before, because I knew her books would always be accessible. And after reading this, I'm not sure I will ever seek her out again. This book has no idea what it wants to be. On the surface one may think it's a more sensitive take on the East-West star-crossed lovers theme Michener explored in "" although Buck's book predates that one by a year or two. And it is that, I guess. But it can also be viewed as an examination of the parallels between class and race found in the United States and Japan, which would have been interesting if the author really cared (I don't think she did) and if Buck's seemingly progressive views on the issues were not marred by quaint 1950s racism she takes for granted. At any rate, any such political or intellectual or cultural themes are explored only superficially. In fact, the entire novel is nothing but confused superficiality. The characters are concepts, stereotypes -- impossible to care about. The romance is so abhorrently maudlin and if that wasn't bad enough, wait until Buck starts her embarrassing warbling about a "world child." I know it's the consensus of everyone here that Buck was really an incredible writer and this title is obscure for a reason. It will just be difficult for me to take her seriously after slogging through this bathetic crap.
March 5, 2017
For a very long time I have wanted to read a Pearl S. Buck novel and I finally have. This story takes place at the end of WW11. It starts in Japan with the American occupation. A young Japanese girl ( who started her life in the US but was later sent back to Japan) meets and falls in love with an American soldier. As can be expected her family is quite devastated by this relationship and forces her to make a decision...her family or him.
This is a story about a mixed marriage and where in the world do they belong? Will it be in Japan or in the US? Do they have children or not?
I loved this story. I loved it so much I am going to start reading all of P. Bucks books. Simply written, easy to understand all the human emotions,truly a book to read and sit and think about.
This is a story about a mixed marriage and where in the world do they belong? Will it be in Japan or in the US? Do they have children or not?
I loved this story. I loved it so much I am going to start reading all of P. Bucks books. Simply written, easy to understand all the human emotions,truly a book to read and sit and think about.
May 3, 2018
Enlightening
This story really hit home for me. I have even more respect for my Mother now. Being a mixed race child of the 50's myself (an American soldier father and Japanese mother). I am thankful that my parents stayed together through my childhood. I faced a fair share of ridicule as I grew up, but I cannot imagine how life would have been without the support of my parents.
This story really hit home for me. I have even more respect for my Mother now. Being a mixed race child of the 50's myself (an American soldier father and Japanese mother). I am thankful that my parents stayed together through my childhood. I faced a fair share of ridicule as I grew up, but I cannot imagine how life would have been without the support of my parents.
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October 7, 2014Discrimination continues to discriminate.
This book highlights the trials and tribulations of discrimination that people have dealt with regardless of culture, race or creed. A depiction of issues that we still need to overcome today. Sad to realize that discrimination will out-live me.
This book highlights the trials and tribulations of discrimination that people have dealt with regardless of culture, race or creed. A depiction of issues that we still need to overcome today. Sad to realize that discrimination will out-live me.
August 29, 2017
After reading The Good Earth and Peony, this book was a letdown. The story centered on a love-at-first-sight encounter between an American soldier and a young Japanese woman after WWII, but the telling felt choppy and contrived. I believe Buck's intent was to explore racial tensions and to answer the question, "is love enough to conquer prejudice?" Perhaps mature love would be, but in this case the shallow attraction between two starry eyed lovers crumpled under pressure and did nothing to push against societal sins. The ending was unsatisfying and one was left feeling that their bold decisions made in the name of love were folly. I'll give it two stars because I did finish the book; it was short or I might not have!
December 18, 2018
العنصرية شيء مُقحل جدًا عن إنعدام الإنسانية و الأفكار الغيبة عن الإختلاف ، كل شخص يُشير للآخر بشيء عنصري لحد الآن ، ظاهره شيء تافه ساخر لكنه عمقه أسود .
أحببت القصة و نهايتها المنطقية .
أحببت القصة و نهايتها المنطقية .
November 7, 2022
A stellar book by a fav author of mine, characters with very strong personalities This would be a 5 star, save for the ending, it really needs a sequel. An easy read for those interested in getting into classics. Also, a good story about the author at the end of this book.
June 19, 2007
I love Pearl Buck. This is a tear jerker. I read it maybe 15 years ago and I still remember most of the story.
March 7, 2025
The author is from my home state of West Virginia, so I was happy to get to read it. I also spent only a few days in Japan while I was in the Navy and have longed to go back since I didn’t get to see as much as I wanted. This story shows how much our families mean to us, at least back in the 40s & 50s; as well as how much prejudices scarred our society. But scars can slowly heal.
November 15, 2024
It would have been three stars but the last few pages when speaking of the child of the world... That was solely redeeming.
It's clearly easy to see the why's of these characters'actions but hard to reconcile with the heart in these modern times.
It's clearly easy to see the why's of these characters'actions but hard to reconcile with the heart in these modern times.
October 11, 2020
I didn't like this book due to instant love. it is like instant ramen. The idea is good but it doesn't taste right.
November 13, 2024
Oh man, this made me cry
October 8, 2019
Well that was depressing.
December 8, 2020
Boa história. Senti que estava a viver naquela época onde a vida e as regras eram diferentes das de agora.
March 7, 2021
Contexto Histórico:
Ocupação do Japão: A ocupação aliada do Japão no final da Segunda Guerra Mundial foi liderada pelos Estados Unidos. Ao contrário da ocupação da Alemanha, a União Soviética teve pouca influência sobre o Japão. Amplas reformas foram introduzidas a nível social e económico, que relembraram as prioridades do "New Deal" americano da década de 1930 sob o presidente Roosevelt. A constituição japonesa foi totalmente reformulada e os poderes vastos do imperador, que por muitos séculos foram limitados por convenções que evoluíram com o tempo, tornaram-se estritamente limitados por lei. A ocupação foi encerrada pelo Tratado de Paz de São Francisco (1951).
Campos de Concentração nos EUA:
Após o ataque japonês à base naval americana de Pearl Harbor no Havaí (7-12-1941), os EUA declaram guerra ao Japão e a vida dos Japoneses nos EUA mudou drasticamente. Os descendentes de japoneses, passaram a ser vistos de maneira estereotipada e sofreram as consequências de boatos infundados e acusações de colaboracionismo. Eram também acusados de espionagem e de preparar-se para apoiar a invasão do exército japonês na Costa Oeste.
Por causa da pressão popular causada pela histeria da guerra, o governo americano decretou a Ordem Executiva 9066 (19-2-1942), permitindo que o exército aprisionasse cidadãos que representassem um risco para o esforço de guerra. Isto resultou no aprisionamento de cerca de 120 mil nipo-americanos.
Sobre o Livro
1º Parte
Dr. Sokan Sakai, médico conceituado, e Hariko Sakai têm uma filha chamada Josui (15 anos) cujo espírito é vivo, atento e curioso. O seu filho, Kesan, morreu durante a guerra mundial.
A família Sakai regressa ao Japão para evitar os campos de concentração na américa. Dr. Sakai, faz-se amigo de um dos seus pacientes, Matsui, que provem de uma família antiga e bastante abastada. Vai beber chá com ele numa cerimónia que envolvem muitos rituais e é uma tradição japonesa.
Hariko provem de uma família extremamente pobre. O seu pai viu-se obrigado (por ter demasiadas filhas) a responder a um anúncio de japoneses que viviam na américa e que procuravam mulheres para casar com os seus filhos. Fora assim que desposara Dr. Sakai.
Num dia normal de escola, em frente à sua universidade, Josui é abordada por um soldado americano que ia numa parada militar. Trocam nomes. No dia seguinte, o soldado dirige-se a casa de Josui com o intuito de conhecer o Dr. Sakai. Só que este não estava em casa. Deixa um cartão com o seu nome e pede para informar Dr. Sakai da sua visita.
Dr. Sakai confronta Josui acerca do americano. Rasga o cartão de apresentação de Allen Kennedy e enterra-o debaixo do musgo. Representado que o problema, para ele, está enterrado.
Allen visita novamente a casa dos Sakai, encontra Josui sozinha e beija-a. Desafiando-a para ir, no dia seguinte, a Kyoto.
Josui está completamente apaixonada por Allen: “voltada, corpo e coração, para o jovem americano. Imersa num sonho de amor secreto, longe daquele lugar, da sua casa e de seus pais�.
Entretanto Kobori, filho do Sr. Matsai, e futuro noivo de Josui, está com apendicite e é tratado por Dr. Sakai, que tece grandes elogios a Kobori quando regressa a casa.
No segundo dia, foram visitar Nara, onde Allen avança fisicamente sobre Josui. Ela interrompe-o bruscamente e exige uma resposta a cerca das suas pretensões (no japão depois do beijo vem o pedido de casamento) e Allen estava a avançar rápido demais sem fazer a sua declaração e pedido. Josui impõe-se e separam-se.
A diferença de culturas causara um impacte demasiado grande em Josui. Não passou o tempo devido em nenhuma dos dois continentes para absorver os costumes. (América Vs Japão).
Allen encontra-se mergulhado nos seus pensamentos sobre Josui. Decide que precisa de vê-la uma vez mais antes de seguir com a sua vida. “Em meados de agosto sentiu que precisava de vê-la mais uma vez, para pôr-se à prova, �, de que realmente poderia esquecê-la e casar-se um dia com outra mulher�.
Allen regressa a casa dos Sakai e força a sua entrada, entra em confronto com Dr. Sakai. Na tentativa de convencer Josui a abandonar a desistir de Allen, Dr. Sakai confessa a grande marca que a américa lhe deixou no coração. Estas declarações foram em vão acabando por magoar Hariko, que ficou destroçada em saber que apenas se casou com Dr. Sakai porque ele não conseguiu a mulher da vida dele na américa. A família está em crise.
“Não se pode vencer o mar. O mar é imenso como a eternidade e imutável com o destino. Em comparação o homem é menor que um pequeno peixe. Não lutes contra o oceano. Não queiras combater as vagas. Entrega-te e, á medida que as ondas fluírem, vai acompanhado o seu movimento. Serás então sustentado pelo próprio mar.� Confronto entre Josui e seu pai termina com o seguinte diálogo:
� “Faz o que entenderes, mas, � não queiras voltar para junto de mim.�
� “isso prometo-lhe pai!�.
� “Fechar-te-ei no quarto!�
� “Ela riu-se, de modo muito pouco agradável. O lindo rosto de Josui tornara-se desdenhosamente duro.�
Com tristeza, os pais de Josui aceitam o casamento. “Não pode imaginar quanto eu sofro � só me resta uma alternativa: ou perco minha filha ou encontro algum meio de realizar esse casamento.�
Allen é enviado para a América após expor a situação ao coronel. Antes de ir consegue casar com Josui, pois a família Sakai organizou tudo para eles num templo budista. A escritora dá a ideia de que Josui já estará gravida.
2º Parte
Na esperança de que a amiga o ajudasse, Allen conta a Cynthia que se casou. No entanto, a sua reação fui a oposta, pois à primeira oportunidade contou a um grupo de moças, que os interpelou, com o intuito de espalhar a notícia o mais rápido possível.
A mãe de Allen reage mal à notícia do casamento e começa a engendrar um plano para que o filho “caia na realidade�. Allen vai para Washiton em busca de emprego e de uma forma de trazer Josui para EUA. Tal como no Japão, também nos EUA é um grande choque cultural saber que um americano casou com uma japonesa. Sendo mais inconcebível ainda a ideia de nascer um filho mestiço dessa relação. No Japão, Josui tem uma conversa com a sua mãe onde se percebe qual a magnitude do problema de um filho mestiço. “As mulheres americanas nunca podem saber de que cor serão os olhos e os cabelos de seus filhos! Não achas isso embaraçoso? como posso sentir que a criança é meu neto se os seus olhos não são pretos?�
3º Parte
Josui está efetivamente gravida. Durante a lua de mel, que foi feita sob a forma de viagem de carro até à Califórnia com várias paragens, uma crescente preocupação assombra Allen. “Será que os pais a vão aceitar?� “Será que os hábitos e princípios enraizados de Josui irão colidir fortemente contra o modo de vida americano?�.
Chegados a Califórnia, a família de Allen rejeita o casamento, em particular a mãe. Estão os dois sozinhos por sua conta. A vida de casal apresenta-se difícil e longe daquilo que ambos tinham sonhado: “começaram a ter, cada qual, uma vida de secreta solidão…�.
A visita de Cynthia a Washington traz nova esperança ao casal, até que mais tarde uma carta revela que a mãe de Allen está 100% decidia a não ceder perante aquela relação, agarrando-se à lei que proibi o matrimónio entre pessoas de cor. Esta notícia desperta em Allen sentimentos e atitudes anunciam um final trágico para a relação entre os dois. Allen não está pronto para arriscar tudo com Josui: “Josui compreendia agora que Allen não a amava somente a ela; amava também os seus antepassados, os seus pais, a sua casa. Amores dignos, mas que o separavam dela.� “Josui sabia agora que Allen não era suficientemente forte para abandonar as coisas passadas e apegar-se unicamente a ela, e com ela construir um mundo novo que nenhum deles dois conhecera antes. Ela teria sido capaz.�
Josui não é convidada para ir passar o natal e ano novo a casa de Allen. Ainda assim encoraja-o a ir. Durante este período, é visitada por Kobori que nota imediatamente que Josui está grávida. Faz-lhe o convite para voltar com ele para o Japão e combinam encontrar-se após o bebé nascer e Josui decidir o que fazer com ele. Josui toma a decisão de abandonar Allen. Ele é confrontado com a situação quando regressa a NY.
4º Parte
Josui, apesar de ainda estar indecisa, opta por não ficar com a criança e procura um orfanato. Após o nascimento da criança uma critica é feita a Hitler através da médica que auxilia o parto: “Uma criança notável. Há qualquer coisa de excecional nela. É a personificação de uma munificência racial, que se observa frequentemente quando as raças se fundem. Foi isso que Hitler nunca entendeu. Quando as velhas raças se cruzam, nasce algo novo.� Lennie é o triunfo daquilo em que a médica acreditava. A união entre raças.
Kobori e Josui encontram-se. Kobori informa-a que a lei americana agora permite o casamento de brancos e japoneses. Josui responde: “A lei já não importa. Conheço-o agora como ele é na realidade. Não basta para uma vida inteira�. “O amor não é suficiente para ficarem juntos� pelo menos para mim.� Josui ficou com Kobori. Allen pediu Cynthia em casamento, mas esta recusa. Cynthia sabia que Josui estava grávida e vê naquele pedido de Allen um ato de traição para com Josui, o que a deixa repugnada.
Ocupação do Japão: A ocupação aliada do Japão no final da Segunda Guerra Mundial foi liderada pelos Estados Unidos. Ao contrário da ocupação da Alemanha, a União Soviética teve pouca influência sobre o Japão. Amplas reformas foram introduzidas a nível social e económico, que relembraram as prioridades do "New Deal" americano da década de 1930 sob o presidente Roosevelt. A constituição japonesa foi totalmente reformulada e os poderes vastos do imperador, que por muitos séculos foram limitados por convenções que evoluíram com o tempo, tornaram-se estritamente limitados por lei. A ocupação foi encerrada pelo Tratado de Paz de São Francisco (1951).
Campos de Concentração nos EUA:
Após o ataque japonês à base naval americana de Pearl Harbor no Havaí (7-12-1941), os EUA declaram guerra ao Japão e a vida dos Japoneses nos EUA mudou drasticamente. Os descendentes de japoneses, passaram a ser vistos de maneira estereotipada e sofreram as consequências de boatos infundados e acusações de colaboracionismo. Eram também acusados de espionagem e de preparar-se para apoiar a invasão do exército japonês na Costa Oeste.
Por causa da pressão popular causada pela histeria da guerra, o governo americano decretou a Ordem Executiva 9066 (19-2-1942), permitindo que o exército aprisionasse cidadãos que representassem um risco para o esforço de guerra. Isto resultou no aprisionamento de cerca de 120 mil nipo-americanos.
Sobre o Livro
1º Parte
Dr. Sokan Sakai, médico conceituado, e Hariko Sakai têm uma filha chamada Josui (15 anos) cujo espírito é vivo, atento e curioso. O seu filho, Kesan, morreu durante a guerra mundial.
A família Sakai regressa ao Japão para evitar os campos de concentração na américa. Dr. Sakai, faz-se amigo de um dos seus pacientes, Matsui, que provem de uma família antiga e bastante abastada. Vai beber chá com ele numa cerimónia que envolvem muitos rituais e é uma tradição japonesa.
Hariko provem de uma família extremamente pobre. O seu pai viu-se obrigado (por ter demasiadas filhas) a responder a um anúncio de japoneses que viviam na américa e que procuravam mulheres para casar com os seus filhos. Fora assim que desposara Dr. Sakai.
Num dia normal de escola, em frente à sua universidade, Josui é abordada por um soldado americano que ia numa parada militar. Trocam nomes. No dia seguinte, o soldado dirige-se a casa de Josui com o intuito de conhecer o Dr. Sakai. Só que este não estava em casa. Deixa um cartão com o seu nome e pede para informar Dr. Sakai da sua visita.
Dr. Sakai confronta Josui acerca do americano. Rasga o cartão de apresentação de Allen Kennedy e enterra-o debaixo do musgo. Representado que o problema, para ele, está enterrado.
Allen visita novamente a casa dos Sakai, encontra Josui sozinha e beija-a. Desafiando-a para ir, no dia seguinte, a Kyoto.
Josui está completamente apaixonada por Allen: “voltada, corpo e coração, para o jovem americano. Imersa num sonho de amor secreto, longe daquele lugar, da sua casa e de seus pais�.
Entretanto Kobori, filho do Sr. Matsai, e futuro noivo de Josui, está com apendicite e é tratado por Dr. Sakai, que tece grandes elogios a Kobori quando regressa a casa.
No segundo dia, foram visitar Nara, onde Allen avança fisicamente sobre Josui. Ela interrompe-o bruscamente e exige uma resposta a cerca das suas pretensões (no japão depois do beijo vem o pedido de casamento) e Allen estava a avançar rápido demais sem fazer a sua declaração e pedido. Josui impõe-se e separam-se.
A diferença de culturas causara um impacte demasiado grande em Josui. Não passou o tempo devido em nenhuma dos dois continentes para absorver os costumes. (América Vs Japão).
Allen encontra-se mergulhado nos seus pensamentos sobre Josui. Decide que precisa de vê-la uma vez mais antes de seguir com a sua vida. “Em meados de agosto sentiu que precisava de vê-la mais uma vez, para pôr-se à prova, �, de que realmente poderia esquecê-la e casar-se um dia com outra mulher�.
Allen regressa a casa dos Sakai e força a sua entrada, entra em confronto com Dr. Sakai. Na tentativa de convencer Josui a abandonar a desistir de Allen, Dr. Sakai confessa a grande marca que a américa lhe deixou no coração. Estas declarações foram em vão acabando por magoar Hariko, que ficou destroçada em saber que apenas se casou com Dr. Sakai porque ele não conseguiu a mulher da vida dele na américa. A família está em crise.
“Não se pode vencer o mar. O mar é imenso como a eternidade e imutável com o destino. Em comparação o homem é menor que um pequeno peixe. Não lutes contra o oceano. Não queiras combater as vagas. Entrega-te e, á medida que as ondas fluírem, vai acompanhado o seu movimento. Serás então sustentado pelo próprio mar.� Confronto entre Josui e seu pai termina com o seguinte diálogo:
� “Faz o que entenderes, mas, � não queiras voltar para junto de mim.�
� “isso prometo-lhe pai!�.
� “Fechar-te-ei no quarto!�
� “Ela riu-se, de modo muito pouco agradável. O lindo rosto de Josui tornara-se desdenhosamente duro.�
Com tristeza, os pais de Josui aceitam o casamento. “Não pode imaginar quanto eu sofro � só me resta uma alternativa: ou perco minha filha ou encontro algum meio de realizar esse casamento.�
Allen é enviado para a América após expor a situação ao coronel. Antes de ir consegue casar com Josui, pois a família Sakai organizou tudo para eles num templo budista. A escritora dá a ideia de que Josui já estará gravida.
2º Parte
Na esperança de que a amiga o ajudasse, Allen conta a Cynthia que se casou. No entanto, a sua reação fui a oposta, pois à primeira oportunidade contou a um grupo de moças, que os interpelou, com o intuito de espalhar a notícia o mais rápido possível.
A mãe de Allen reage mal à notícia do casamento e começa a engendrar um plano para que o filho “caia na realidade�. Allen vai para Washiton em busca de emprego e de uma forma de trazer Josui para EUA. Tal como no Japão, também nos EUA é um grande choque cultural saber que um americano casou com uma japonesa. Sendo mais inconcebível ainda a ideia de nascer um filho mestiço dessa relação. No Japão, Josui tem uma conversa com a sua mãe onde se percebe qual a magnitude do problema de um filho mestiço. “As mulheres americanas nunca podem saber de que cor serão os olhos e os cabelos de seus filhos! Não achas isso embaraçoso? como posso sentir que a criança é meu neto se os seus olhos não são pretos?�
3º Parte
Josui está efetivamente gravida. Durante a lua de mel, que foi feita sob a forma de viagem de carro até à Califórnia com várias paragens, uma crescente preocupação assombra Allen. “Será que os pais a vão aceitar?� “Será que os hábitos e princípios enraizados de Josui irão colidir fortemente contra o modo de vida americano?�.
Chegados a Califórnia, a família de Allen rejeita o casamento, em particular a mãe. Estão os dois sozinhos por sua conta. A vida de casal apresenta-se difícil e longe daquilo que ambos tinham sonhado: “começaram a ter, cada qual, uma vida de secreta solidão…�.
A visita de Cynthia a Washington traz nova esperança ao casal, até que mais tarde uma carta revela que a mãe de Allen está 100% decidia a não ceder perante aquela relação, agarrando-se à lei que proibi o matrimónio entre pessoas de cor. Esta notícia desperta em Allen sentimentos e atitudes anunciam um final trágico para a relação entre os dois. Allen não está pronto para arriscar tudo com Josui: “Josui compreendia agora que Allen não a amava somente a ela; amava também os seus antepassados, os seus pais, a sua casa. Amores dignos, mas que o separavam dela.� “Josui sabia agora que Allen não era suficientemente forte para abandonar as coisas passadas e apegar-se unicamente a ela, e com ela construir um mundo novo que nenhum deles dois conhecera antes. Ela teria sido capaz.�
Josui não é convidada para ir passar o natal e ano novo a casa de Allen. Ainda assim encoraja-o a ir. Durante este período, é visitada por Kobori que nota imediatamente que Josui está grávida. Faz-lhe o convite para voltar com ele para o Japão e combinam encontrar-se após o bebé nascer e Josui decidir o que fazer com ele. Josui toma a decisão de abandonar Allen. Ele é confrontado com a situação quando regressa a NY.
4º Parte
Josui, apesar de ainda estar indecisa, opta por não ficar com a criança e procura um orfanato. Após o nascimento da criança uma critica é feita a Hitler através da médica que auxilia o parto: “Uma criança notável. Há qualquer coisa de excecional nela. É a personificação de uma munificência racial, que se observa frequentemente quando as raças se fundem. Foi isso que Hitler nunca entendeu. Quando as velhas raças se cruzam, nasce algo novo.� Lennie é o triunfo daquilo em que a médica acreditava. A união entre raças.
Kobori e Josui encontram-se. Kobori informa-a que a lei americana agora permite o casamento de brancos e japoneses. Josui responde: “A lei já não importa. Conheço-o agora como ele é na realidade. Não basta para uma vida inteira�. “O amor não é suficiente para ficarem juntos� pelo menos para mim.� Josui ficou com Kobori. Allen pediu Cynthia em casamento, mas esta recusa. Cynthia sabia que Josui estava grávida e vê naquele pedido de Allen um ato de traição para com Josui, o que a deixa repugnada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
I started reading this because it was Huguette Clark's (Empty Mansions) favorite book. Beautifully written. The characters have depth and complexity of emotion and actions. Important issues explored such as multicultural marriage, children, war, choices. I keep thinking about this story.
May 13, 2018
Classic
A moving tale of star crossed lovers. Pearl Buck explores the cultural differences between America and Japan post war through two characters. As expected, a range of emotions are elicited from the reader_ both happy and sad. A Classic story.
A moving tale of star crossed lovers. Pearl Buck explores the cultural differences between America and Japan post war through two characters. As expected, a range of emotions are elicited from the reader_ both happy and sad. A Classic story.
July 2, 2008
A great story of a Japanese girl who ends up marrying an American soldier who is serving there in the war. He brings her home only to find that it's illegal to be married to a 'non-white'.
August 18, 2015
Emocionante, comovente, magnífico, muito bem escrito,... enfim, uma autêntica obra-prima!
March 3, 2019
I have read many of Pearl S. Bucks books and I thoroughly enjoyed The Hidden Flower and would very much recommend it.
April 13, 2019
Delightful story, well written. Prejudice against people of color, not Negros. I have some catching up to do - reading of Pearl S. Buck books.
June 17, 2019
I couldn’t put it down. A wonderful story.
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