<p><strong><span style="font-size:1.2em;">Great book for your book club</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=yofaclja-20&#038;o=1&#038;p=8&#038;l=as1&#038;asins=0385666950&#038;md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&#038;fc1=000000&#038;IS2=1&#038;lt1=_blank&#038;m=amazon&#038;lc1=0000FF&#038;bc1=FFFFFF&#038;bg1=FFFFFF&#038;f=ifr&#038;npa=1">http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=yofaclja-20&#038;o=1&#038;p=8&#038;l=as1&#038;asins=0385666950&#038;md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&#038;fc1=000000&#038;IS2=1&#038;lt1=_blank&#038;m=amazon&#038;lc1=0000FF&#038;bc1=FFFFFF&#038;bg1=FFFFFF&#038;f=ifr&#038;npa=1</a></p>
<p>Because I am a Japanese woman, I was prepared to be upset with the main character Hiroko being your stereotype Japanese girl because it was written by a Pakistani author. Hiroko was nothing like the girl I imagined, and yet I could see myself in her.</p>
<p>Burnt Shadows reminded me of innocent comments I’ve heard from Americans such as, ";It( dropping Atomic Bombs) had to be done to save American lives";.</p>
<p>After the Iraq War started, I&#8217;ve heard the similar opinions. Burnt Shadows explains the frustration and anger I feel whenever those otherwise very kind and caring people express their deeper belief of their superiority and disregards towards other parts of world. What I really wanted to tell, but was too afraid to open my mouth was, ";Iraq didn&#8217;t attack USA. Many of the dead are civilians. They were somebody&#8217;s mother, daughter, father, sons, grandmothers, grandfathers, and grandchildren. You can&#8217;t tell a heart-broken mother, whose child&#8217;s head was blown off in front of her, to stop crying and be grateful and happy because US took care of Sadam";. ; </p>
<p>washingtonpost.com Reviewer Carolyn See wrote, ";Her argument is that the British and American empires, through their conscienceless colonialism (and particularly America&#8217;s use of the bomb), are responsible for the very troubled world we live in today";. But, I don’t think Shamsie was accusing Britain and USA for the world&#8217;s every trouble. She just wants them to look into their souls once in a while. At least, that’s how I read.</p>
<p>I wouldn&#8217;t say Burnt Shadows is the best novel I&#8217;ve ever read. It has some problems such as the color of birds on Kimono and Hiroko&#8217;s words in the end. I wish the characters were emotionally more attractive. Having said that, Burnt Shadow is definitely one of the most ambitious and intellectual attempts to make a case for those who never had a chance (maybe too ambitious to be successful). Because of its&#8217; imperfection, I believe it will generate a better discussion. Therefore, I give 5 stars despite the flaw.</p>
<p>It will be a great book for your book club.</p>