91 pages • 3 hours read
Jamie FordHotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is a historical novel that alternates between 1942 and 1986, following Henry Lee, a Chinese American man. In 1942, 12-year-old Henry develops a close bond with Keiko Okabe, a Japanese American girl, amidst wartime prejudice and internment. By 1986, recently widowed Henry embarks on a journey to reconnect with his past, assisted by his son.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet receives praise for its evocative depiction of a Japanese internment during WWII and the touching interracial friendship at its core. Critics commend Ford's nostalgic and atmospheric prose. However, some find the plot predictable and the characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's a heartfelt but occasionally simplistic narrative.
Who Should Read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet?
A reader who would enjoy Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is likely a fan of historical fiction with rich, emotional narratives. Those who appreciated The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or Pachinko by Min Jin Lee would find this novel compelling due to its exploration of cultural heritage, forbidden love, and historical events.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsLexile Level
850LBook Details
WWII / World War II
Historical Fiction
Psychological Fiction
Relationships: Fathers
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Values/Ideas: Music