Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford is a historical fiction novel set in World War II era Seattle. The main character in the book is a boy whose parents came to the US from China. In the book, he deals with cultural barriers, racism, and a war torn world. He falls in love with a Japanese girl, causing him to be practically disowned by his father. Meanwhile, the Japanese families from Seattle are all sent to internment camps to "protect" them (according to the US government). This book was not only fascinating from a historical perspective, it also told a great story of a boy growing up and finding love. The book flips between present time - the relationship between son and father, and memories from the past - and the past relationship between father and son. This is a must-read if you enjoy historical fiction!