Historical Fiction

Sisters Under the Rising Sun

Sisters Under the Rising Sun

  • Downloads：3042
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2023-11-05 07:21:35
  • Update Date：2025-09-08
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Heather Morris
  • ISBN：1250322839
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Reviews

Mary ，

This book turns a remarkable 4year saga of sad WWII history into an unremarkable book 0f historical fiction。 The stilted writing style consists of mostly bland dialog totally unsuited to the action at hand。 It's difficult to comprehend that it was written by Heather Morris who was the brilliant author of "The Tatooist of Auschwitz"and other fine historical novels。 This book turns a remarkable 4year saga of sad WWII history into an unremarkable book 0f historical fiction。 The stilted writing style consists of mostly bland dialog totally unsuited to the action at hand。 It's difficult to comprehend that it was written by Heather Morris who was the brilliant author of "The Tatooist of Auschwitz"and other fine historical novels。 。。。more

Laura ，

I really wanted to give this 3 1/2 stars。 While this story is so very important and largely unknown- （these women were simply heros and unbelievably strong through this nightmare）， I just did not love this like I did her previous books。 I will read more on the subject though。

Jessica ，

This is my first book I've read from Heather。 The historical piece was fascinating， but her retelling was pretty simple。 The characters read very surface level， I didn't feel immersed in the story。 Bad things were happening， but it read very matter of fact。 This is my first book I've read from Heather。 The historical piece was fascinating， but her retelling was pretty simple。 The characters read very surface level， I didn't feel immersed in the story。 Bad things were happening， but it read very matter of fact。 。。。more

Taury ，

I am in really bad head space right now so Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris did nothing for me。 I am so bummed。 I enjoyed her other 2 books。 I can hardly tell anyone what this was about。 The reviews are excellent。 Perhaps I will re-read one day。

Mary ，

Historical fiction of Australian nurses and others in Japanese interment camps during WWII。 Never quite captured their essence

Marilyn ，

Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris was a very compelling book。 It was based on actually events and real people。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun detailed the unimaginable atrocities and cruelty the Japanese army inflicted upon women and children in their POW camps during World War II。 The Japanese army paid no attention to concessions that were mandated for members of foreign armies。 They inflicted their harsh and brutal punishments on civilians and army nurses alike， not giving any spec Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris was a very compelling book。 It was based on actually events and real people。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun detailed the unimaginable atrocities and cruelty the Japanese army inflicted upon women and children in their POW camps during World War II。 The Japanese army paid no attention to concessions that were mandated for members of foreign armies。 They inflicted their harsh and brutal punishments on civilians and army nurses alike， not giving any special treatment to the nurses。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun took place in Singapore and Banka Island near Indonesia from 1942 through 1945。 I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Laura Carmichael。 Nora Chambers was a talented and accomplished musician who was living in Singapore。 She was lucky to have her husband John， their eight year old daughter Sally， her aging parents， her sister Ena and her husband all with her。 Word had been circulating though that it was just a matter of time before the Japanese army found their way to Singapore。 Nora and John Chambers worried excessively about their daughter Sally’s safety once the Japanese imposed their wrath on the people of Singapore。 Together Nora and John decided to send their eight year old daughter with Nora’s oldest sister and her two sons to find safety far away from Singapore。 Nora had promised Sally that they would never be separated but Nora was left with no choice。 Her husband John was still recovering from being sick and she felt compelled to remain with her elderly parents。 Nora only hoped that her daughter would be safe and that she would be reunited with her one day。 Sister Nesta James was born in Wales and relocated to Australia as a young girl。 As a young woman， she trained as a nurse and decided to enlist in the Australian army。 Her desire was to be able to tend to wounded Allied soldiers。 Nesta was stationed in Singapore when Singapore fell to the Japanese army。 On February 12， 1942， Sister Nesta James found herself on the last ship of evacuees out of Singapore。 The ship， Vyner Brooke， a merchant ship， was carrying mostly women and children。 Among the passengers were Nora， her husband John， Nora’s sister Ena and the nurses of the Australian Army。Just two days into their journey， the Vyner Brooke was attacked by Japanese planes flying overhead。 Those aboard scrambled to locate vacant lifeboats and make their way to the top deck。 Many of the women and children just jumped into the sea。 After being in the sea for over twenty-four hours， the exhausted women and children that survived the attack and ordeal spotted land。 The survivors had made their way to an island off the coast of Indonesia。 They had landed on Banka Island。 Only one hundred fifty passengers survived。 Among the survivors were Norah， her husband， her sister and Nesta。 Their first instinct was to look for water and food but they were soon apprehended by the Japanese army。 All the survivors from the Vyner Brooke were placed in a Japanese POW camp。 The Japanese military treated the civilians and the army nurses in the same way。 No special concessions were granted to the army nurses。 Their positions meant nothing to the Japanese in charge。 The Japanese men in authority looked down upon and disrespected all women despite their status。 Conditions in the POW camp were unsanitary， crowded and unsafe。 Disease， sickness and starvation prevailed。 Inhumane treatment was widespread。 Norah and Nesta became good friends and both women were determined to help anyone who needed help。 Nesta used her medical knowledge to assist anyone that required attention。 Nora applied her musical expertise to help boost the morale of the women。 Both women were instrumental in helping the women in the POW camp survive their three and a half year ordeal。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris was so moving。 I have read all of the books that Heather Morris has written and each book continues to impress me。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun was no exception。 I had recently read another book that addressed the treatment the Japanese army inflicted upon Dutch women in their POW camps。 Sisters Under the Rising Sun explored the fate of Singapore， the destruction of the Vyner Brooke carrying almost exclusively women and children away from Singapore and Japanese control， the controversial treatment of the captured nurses by the Japanese， the importance of music in the POW camp and the horrific treatment the women and children endured under the Japanese regime for three and a half very long years。 The themes of courage， bravery， resilience， struggles， friendship， family， music and compassion were explored。 I recommend listening to the audiobook version of this book。 The recordings of the music Norah and her inmates performed were mesmerizing。 I also appreciated hearing Heather Morris’s voice as she delivered her author notes at the end。 It is always interesting hearing from the author about where their inspiration came from for the book they had written and what they learned from their research。 I highly recommend this book。 Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more

Deborah ，

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， eac 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 。。。more

ria ，

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。

Nic ，

This story is divided into three parts。 Two of the main characters take turns narrating the chapters。The story is about survival and friendships。 What a horrific part of history。 Parts of the book were very hard to read。The story is based on real people which makes it even more gripping to read。 A powerful， well written and moving story。Thank you to NetGalley， the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review。 All opinions expressed are my own。

Anne ，

Amazing， inspirational true story of strong， resilient women who endured horrific conditions as POWS during WWII。Their creative & sense of community were exemplary！

Kelly （miss_kellysbookishcorner） ，

3。50review to come

Barbara Guner ，

As an historical fiction， it is the truth behind the story that was shocking and educational。 Thankfully Morris writes in a gentle manner given the context， otherwise I would not have had the courage to read on。 I had no idea of this part of WWII。 Set in Singapore， when the British families and Australian nurses are captured by the Japanese。 Very gripping and I especially appreciated the chapter at the end where the author gives an update on the real women in the story。

Lorna ，

This book brought me to tears。 Their experiences as POWS for over 3 yrs during WWII on the island of Sumatra were horrendous。 This should be a must read in history class

Jenna Hastwell ，

I wanted to love it but it sort of fell flat。 I did however enjoy the epilogue and information on the actual history！

leslie collins ，

Captivating story of women captured and sent to POW camps by the Japanese in World War 2。 This book told part of of an unknown （to me） story of these brave women struggling to survive while caring for others。 There was a group of Australian Army nurses whose story and kinship was remarkable。 Along with these nurses several other groups of broken families and a musician。 They all helped inspire everyone to work together to survive in the different camps in the jungle。 It seemed like a well resear Captivating story of women captured and sent to POW camps by the Japanese in World War 2。 This book told part of of an unknown （to me） story of these brave women struggling to survive while caring for others。 There was a group of Australian Army nurses whose story and kinship was remarkable。 Along with these nurses several other groups of broken families and a musician。 They all helped inspire everyone to work together to survive in the different camps in the jungle。 It seemed like a well researched book and the author provided a good epilogue of the what happened to these women later in life。 I agree with the author that the book isn't about remembering them it is about learning about them。 One cannot remember if you never knew the story to begin with。 Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book。 。。。more

Gwyn ，

Hard not to cry at end of any Heather Morris book。 So enjoyed learning about experience of women POWs in Malaysia during WW2

Erwin ，

This is a true story about a group of women held in Japanese POW camps after the fall of Indonesia。 The women were Sisters， Nurses。。。 and others and what they endured during their interment was horrific。 Many of them fought through everything they had to face and endure。。。 and， many others died。。。 This was a story that was really never known。。。 but now through Heather Morris it is。Morris has a great line she uses in the afterword as to these remarkable women's story:“Know now of them。 Remember t This is a true story about a group of women held in Japanese POW camps after the fall of Indonesia。 The women were Sisters， Nurses。。。 and others and what they endured during their interment was horrific。 Many of them fought through everything they had to face and endure。。。 and， many others died。。。 This was a story that was really never known。。。 but now through Heather Morris it is。Morris has a great line she uses in the afterword as to these remarkable women's story:“Know now of them。 Remember them。” 。。。more

Tristen ，

Short synopsis: Set during WWII， a group of women are taken captive off the coast of Indonesia by Japanese soldiers。 Their story of resilience despite brutality and starvation。 My thoughts: My oh my do I love a strong female protagonist during wartime！ The women in this story are based off the stories of women who survived these situations。 While this is difficult to read， their bravery， perseverance， and strength are astounding！ The audio was so well done in this， going so far as to get a choir Short synopsis: Set during WWII， a group of women are taken captive off the coast of Indonesia by Japanese soldiers。 Their story of resilience despite brutality and starvation。 My thoughts: My oh my do I love a strong female protagonist during wartime！ The women in this story are based off the stories of women who survived these situations。 While this is difficult to read， their bravery， perseverance， and strength are astounding！ The audio was so well done in this， going so far as to get a choir from Australia to sing the prisoner songs， songs that uplifted and strengthened women during this trying time。 I also really enjoyed the authors note and the stories from the families at the end！ Read if you love: - Strong women- WWII stories based of real people- Music- Nurses- sacrifice， resiliency， and braveryThank you to @macmillanaudio and @stmartinspress for a copy of this book！ Out now 。。。more

Karolina Wojtasik ，

3。5 stars

Marie ，

i read a ton of WW2 books and this was my first time reading about such a subjecti'm really happy heather morris wrote a book about it because this topic is def not talked about enough ！i really want to read other books on these japanese campson the book itself， heather morris writing is still amazingi do have to say that sometimes it felt more like i was a spectator than really in the story （you know the whole show don't tell - well it felt like i was being told at times）but the writing is stil i read a ton of WW2 books and this was my first time reading about such a subjecti'm really happy heather morris wrote a book about it because this topic is def not talked about enough ！i really want to read other books on these japanese campson the book itself， heather morris writing is still amazingi do have to say that sometimes it felt more like i was a spectator than really in the story （you know the whole show don't tell - well it felt like i was being told at times）but the writing is still very very emotional and i did find myself tearing up or crying at timesthe timeline and change of pov was a bit confusing as welli love that at the end of each of her book you get backstories， info， sometimes pictures and so onvery interesting and nice to read about the real life of these people ！i'll read anything heather morris puts out so quite excited for the next one！ 。。。more

Scott ，

I did not finish this book。 I was so excited about reading it because it had everything I loved to read about。 The idea is great but the clipped writing style and stunted characters ruined it for me。 I grew to hate the book and unrealistic characters （every single nurse is unfalteringly duty bound and brave - does not make for interesting characters）。

Zoe Zeid ，

I hate saying this but I really disliked this book。 The story had a lot of potential， especially since it's based on a true story， but the writing seemed too juvenile。 It was nice to hear that the women had such high spirits in bad circumstances， but I just find it so hard to believe that the way it was told was at all accurate。 The story also just spent too much time talking about the choir that was formed and the concerts that were performed。 I hate saying this but I really disliked this book。 The story had a lot of potential， especially since it's based on a true story， but the writing seemed too juvenile。 It was nice to hear that the women had such high spirits in bad circumstances， but I just find it so hard to believe that the way it was told was at all accurate。 The story also just spent too much time talking about the choir that was formed and the concerts that were performed。 。。。more

Babette Ryther ，

This was my least favorite book from Heather Morris。 For some reason I had a hard time engaging with this story of these prisoners in a Japanese war camp。

Jill ，

Spellbinding！ A gripping historical fiction， Sisters Under the Rising Sun （great title， by the way） is about sisters and their families， along with a group of Australian nurses， trying to escape from Singapore， only to have their ship bombed。 Some in lifeboats but most swimming in the sea， they made it to a beach but were then taken captive by the Japanese during WWII。 Separated from the men who survived， the women were taken to an internment camp， where they relied on each other to be strong an Spellbinding！ A gripping historical fiction， Sisters Under the Rising Sun （great title， by the way） is about sisters and their families， along with a group of Australian nurses， trying to escape from Singapore， only to have their ship bombed。 Some in lifeboats but most swimming in the sea， they made it to a beach but were then taken captive by the Japanese during WWII。 Separated from the men who survived， the women were taken to an internment camp， where they relied on each other to be strong and resilient to survive their captivity。 Amazing to me， they woke up each day and rose up to make their environment livable and better for others within the camp。 Together， they pulled on their talents， immediately with Sister Nesta James and the nurses setting up a hospital and caring for others while Norah and her sister encouraging others with their music to lift their spirits。 Working together， Nesta and Norah become sisters as they deal with all the trials and tribulations of camp， with little food， harsh beatings， disease， sexual abuse， and never knowing day to day what would happened。 And yet they had HOPE。 This is a story of friendship， courage， and survival。 This is the story of true people in history。 I found it fascinating and yet heartbreaking。 What special people they were to stay strong and survive。 A different aspect of how the war affect civilians during WWII that we don't often hear about。 I strongly recommend it。 Many thanks to #netgalley #sistersundertherisingsun #heathermorris #stmartinspress for the opportunity to red and review this book。 。。。more

Nina ，

A wonderful piece of WWII historical fiction。 A large group of Australian army nurses， along with British citizens， were captured by the Japanese while trying to evacuate Singapore。 They were taken to a desolate island of Indonesia。 The author was able to meet and talk with some of the women's descendants， which made the book even richer。 Although many of us had the big brush stroke version of the war in history class， these books highlight the lives and efforts of in many cases unknown individu A wonderful piece of WWII historical fiction。 A large group of Australian army nurses， along with British citizens， were captured by the Japanese while trying to evacuate Singapore。 They were taken to a desolate island of Indonesia。 The author was able to meet and talk with some of the women's descendants， which made the book even richer。 Although many of us had the big brush stroke version of the war in history class， these books highlight the lives and efforts of in many cases unknown individuals。 Especially now， I feel that it's important to know about past events， in the possibly naive hope that someday we will learn from them 。。。more

Karen Murphy ，

Heather Morris has again taken true history and turned it into a novel that tells the story of Australian Nurses and civilian women held in Japanese prison of war camps。 How some of the women survived and kept going for each other as they begin to suffer illness and loss。

Kristi ，

Many books， both fiction and non-fiction have been written about the male POW's of WWII。 This is the marvelous story of women and children， primaily Dutch， Australian， and British （ though 27 nationalities were represented ） who were imprisoned on Sumatra after the capture of Singapore in February of 1942。 They were held until the end of the war - more than 3 1/2 years。 Most of the women were civilians， but fortunately some were nurses who had skills to help save the lives of the sick and wounde Many books， both fiction and non-fiction have been written about the male POW's of WWII。 This is the marvelous story of women and children， primaily Dutch， Australian， and British （ though 27 nationalities were represented ） who were imprisoned on Sumatra after the capture of Singapore in February of 1942。 They were held until the end of the war - more than 3 1/2 years。 Most of the women were civilians， but fortunately some were nurses who had skills to help save the lives of the sick and wounded。 POW's of WWII created activities to help preserve their sanity and their identites as human beings。 Unique among the many thousands， these women created a vocal orchestra and performed Bach， Ravel and many other classical composers。 In addition to this wonderful book， I recommend the film "Paradise Road" which tells this same story。 It has the amazing cast of: Glenn Close， Frances McDormand， Julianna Margulies， Cate Blanchett， and Wendy Hughes。 This is an amazing story of the strength and courage of women！！！！！！！！！ Kristi & Abby Tabby 。。。more

Savannah O’Steen ，

I LOVED this book。 If you have the chance to listen to it in Audio form I highly recommend it。 The music in the audio book is absolutely beautiful and ties in nicely with the importance of music in the story。 I’m a huge fan of historical stories and the fact that this was a true story and opened my eyes to a part of history that I didn’t know is amazing！ A beautiful truly beautiful and important story to tell！ Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio。

Connie Valkema ，

3。5… while I liked this book， it didn’t hold my attention or make me care as much as the Tattooist of Auschwitz。 You are thrown into a story that for me I had no idea what had happened historically or what was the meaning behind the current state of things。 As I got into the story， I found that there were a few different story lines that I was confusing。 It ended as happily as it could and opened my eyes to very real events that I never knew had happened。 It was another amazing telling of surviv 3。5… while I liked this book， it didn’t hold my attention or make me care as much as the Tattooist of Auschwitz。 You are thrown into a story that for me I had no idea what had happened historically or what was the meaning behind the current state of things。 As I got into the story， I found that there were a few different story lines that I was confusing。 It ended as happily as it could and opened my eyes to very real events that I never knew had happened。 It was another amazing telling of survival and creating family not bound by blood but out of necessity。 。。。more

Emma | emmaisreadingabook ，

（3。75）