Jaime Ford, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (New York: Ballantine Books, 2009).
A book review is an analytic or critical review of a book and not primarily a summary; rather, it comments on and evaluates the work in the light of specific issues and theoretical concerns in a course. Keep the following questions in mind as you read, make notes, and write the review. What is the specific topic of the book or article? What overall purpose does it seem to have?
What was Ford’s historical goal in writing his novel?
What exactly does the work contribute to the overall topic of your course?
What was your previous understanding of Japanese internment? How did the author’s use of historical records impact your understanding of the WWII era?
In what way did this reading further your understanding of US history?
What issues and topics for further discussion does the work raise?
What are your own reactions and considered opinions regarding the work?