Review: The Bowl with Gold Seams by Ellen Prentiss Campbell

The Bowl with Gold Seams

by Ellen Prentiss Campbell

Publisher: Apprentice House Press

Pages: 215

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  During the summer of 1945, the State Department selected the resort to serve as the detainment center for the Japanese ambassador to Berlin, his staff, and their families.

The novel tells Hazel Shaw’s story of unexpected personal transformation — both as a young woman working at the hotel among the Japanese, and the further story of the reverberating lifelong consequences of that experience. The final events of the war challenge Hazel’s beliefs about enemies and friends, victory and defeat, love and loyalty. In the ensuing years she remains haunted by memories. Long after the end of the war, an unexpected encounter causes Hazel to return to the hotel and she must confront her past, come to terms with her present life, and determine her future.

Kritters Thoughts:  In the midst of the war there was very extreme feelings about Japanese people and the government decided that sending them away to a camp and then eventually to Japan would help the situation.  So a nice hotel in Bedford Springs, PA was a stopping ground before they made their way to Japan.

I was confused for a bit with the prologue taking place in current day and where it fit in the story and even after finishing the book, I am not sure of the inclusion, but quickly you leave that set up for the true heart of the story.  

I loved the heart of this story.  I loved going into the community that surrounded this hotel and read and feel the pluses and minuses that they felt when these people were moved into their small town.  Even though the book was solely from Hazel's point of view, I still felt she shared the impact that more than she just felt internally, but also of those around her.

What made this book even more interesting for me was that I had recently read a book about the hotel in Pennsylvania being a Japanese interment, but from the point of view from the captive and it was such an interesting read.  So reading this book from the viewpoint of a local who worked at the camp really made it a full circle moment for me.  

Please disregard the cover and title, just read the synopsis, this book is an indie worth reading.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 14 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.