Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel

The hotel on corners for bitter and sweet: A Novel 

In opening pages of Jamie Ford's stunning debut novel, Hotel on Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon the crowd gathered outside Panama Hotel, once gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now new owner has made an incredible discovery: belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, owner opens the Japanese parasol. (Beatrice p.24)

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that parasol belonged to Keiko. In hotel's dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of Okabe family's belongings and for the long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now the widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice-words that might explain actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of power of forgiveness and human heart. (Clausewitz p.87)

War effect everyone in country

Well it would be glorious to be wounded and or pass away for your country right? Well maybe if you were one seeing everything from outside looking in. If you were soldier your outlook on war may be little different. The physical ailments of young men are terrible. Some even consider it fortuitous if you die. For example, Remarque made it very clear that he was aware of pains men were forced to endure when he put Paul and Albert Kropp in hospital.

Paul was going on depart and inquired Albert if there was any thing that he could get for him and Kropp said, 'A gun.' Paul displayed his condemnation of this idea and Albert said something to degree of I would rather die than reside without leg. Another example was when Kat was wounded by bomb that went off while he was delivering supplies to men on front. Kat could not even walk. Then while Paul was taking him back to First Aid center man said, 'He's stone dead.' ...