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How We Disappeared cover art

How We Disappeared

By: Jing-Jing Lee
Narrated by: Angela Lin, Ryun Yu
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Summary

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020

Weaving together two time lines and two very big secrets, this stunning debut opens a window on a little-known period of history, revealing the strength and bravery shown by numerous women in the face of terrible cruelty.

Singapore, 1942. As Japanese troops sweep down Malaysia and into Singapore, a village is ransacked, leaving only two survivors and one tiny child. In a neighbouring village, 17-year-old Wang Di is bundled into the back of a troop carrier and shipped off to a Japanese military brothel where she is forced into sexual slavery. After 60 years of silence, what she saw and experienced there still haunts her present. 

In the year 2000, 12-year-old Kevin is determined to find out the truth - wherever it might lead - after his grandmother makes a surprising confession on her deathbed, one she never meant Kevin to hear, setting in motion a chain of events he could never have foreseen.

A profoundly moving novel, based partly on the author's great-grandfather’s experiences.

©2019 Jing-Jing Lee (P)2019 Harlequin Audio

What listeners say about How We Disappeared

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heart wrenching but full of hope

this was amazing and also not for the faint hearted. it centres around the Japanese Occupation and war and what happened to the women of a small village and a neighbouring one. it's such a powerful story.

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8 people found this helpful

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A heart breaking story that needs to be heard at last .

As a girl growing up in Singapore and Malaysia, during 70’s and 80’s I had heard horrific stories of the Japanese invasion. At that time it was still rumoured that some women used the invasion to their benefit by prostituting themselves to the Japanese soldiers , these women were still spoken about as social pariahs,rejected even by their own families . Due to strict cultural and moral beliefs , these girls were so ashamed of what had happened to them,they could never discuss the horrific truths until they were in their golden years and the world had made the changes necessary to speak out. Although fiction this book is, I believe based on someone’s story .The brutality of the Japanese towards girls taken from their homes , some just mere children is heartbreaking. The trauma suffered by these girls and women is unforgivable, not just during their torture and abuse but long after the war, so shamed , so traumatised so silenced.
Jung-Jing Lee characters recreate in words the true struggles of psychological trauma and the suffering of post trauma throughout a lifetime. The author protectively maintains her characters strength,dignity,hope and the ability to love , which is so cleverly created within its ending.
❤️🙏🏻

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7 people found this helpful

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Starts slow, harrowing and truly emotional story

Brilliant, stay with it, I nearly gave up in the first hour, it shines a light on the atrocities of the Japanese occupation, rarely discussed in the UK.

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6 people found this helpful

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A reminder of the forgotten horrors of war

I had heard of "comfort women" but this wonderful book really brings to life the personal stories of some of them. It was narrated with American accents which I didn't like at first and found grating, but I got past this because it was narrated with such emotion. I highly recommend this fascinating book.

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6 people found this helpful

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Moving account across the generations

I recommend this to anyone who is interested.in broadening their perceptions about other parts of the world. this story manages to be long without meandering. great listen.

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5 people found this helpful

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beautiful and harrowing story

this story was beautiful and also harrowing. I wasn't sure at first, once I got into the details of the book, if I wanted to continue. but I'm glad I did, it's a beautifully written book and well narrated.

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5 people found this helpful

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Excellent book, vety powerful

A part of recent history that, I think, is not well enough known. Very good narrators. Highly recommended!

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3 people found this helpful

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A definite must listen

A beautiful and moving story. Well read and kept me listening long after my usual bedtime.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great book

Very interesting and moving story . Well narrated and easily followed when slipping from different timelines.

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1 person found this helpful

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The reminder of the terrible things that occurred around the time of my birth

I am loved the strength of the characters
The feeling for Chinese values and family life of the time The importance of family honour
The incredible resilience of the human being

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