My library cart is kind of boring right now. I was so caught up in trying to finish my challenges that I didn’t keep up with requesting books and I found myself with a cart full of paranormal romance and non-fiction that I didn’t check out. And, a grown woman can only read so much Nancy Drew before her head starts to spin so… I grabbed the only thing that looked interesting, The Girl Who Played Go.
Before I started reading, I had to figure out how to play Go. I could picture the game but I wasn’t sure I knew the rules. TW looked it up for me on her iPhone then I got my iPhone and installed a Go app and played a game. I’m really bad at it… which won’t surprise Michelle since she beats me handily at a similar game on the iPad…
Then, I started to read. At first I thought the young man in the story was the girl who played go’s brother. It took me a minute to realize the chapters alternate between the story of a Manchurian girl and the story of a Japanese soldier – and then once they meet, their stories are more intertwined.
The book was good. It was a quick read. The ending was harsh. Very, very harsh. I didn’t expect that, though I should have since war is harsh and soldiers are often cruel.