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Parts of this book worked really well and other parts fell flat. The haikus written by the granddaughter character were lovely.

The main issue is the prose section set in 1945. It doesn't read authentic to the time period or the location. The romance was contrite and underwhelming.

I would not recommend this book.

This book went straight to my heart. It's about all the terrible things humans do to each other, about friendship, loss and family.

This is simply wonderful book. Split into three sections, it tells the story of the day the atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima and intersperses this with updates in modern Japan. We watch the tragedy unfold from the perspective of a child, and find out what has happened to the main character Ichiro since. Has he been able to keep a promise he made?

I just love war books and this was so good I think this is one of my favourite books so far this year.
The story starts off with a grandfather chatting to his grandaughter Mizuki and then he talks of his experiences during the war.
The day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
Ichiro has always been tortured with guilt of how he failed his best friend Hiro when he promised to keep his sister Kieko safe but they get separated.
A very human account.

“The Last Paper Crane” tells the emotional, haunting story of a young man‘s struggle for survival following the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. I really enjoyed the poignant narrative and feel that I‘ve learned a lot through this eye opening tale – 5 stars!

My full review is up on my blog now 📚