Books and novels about Japanese POW camps in WWII

One great novel is 'The Great Escape' which is based on the true story of Allied prisoners of war in a German camp during WWII. It details their elaborate escape plans and the camaraderie among the prisoners.

Yes, 'The Railway Man' is a good one. It's about a former POW who was forced to work on the Burma - Thailand Railway. The book delves into his post - war struggle with his memories and his journey towards forgiveness.

One well - known WWII Japanese POW novel could be 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. It tells the story of Allied prisoners of war forced by the Japanese to build a bridge in Burma. It shows the harsh conditions and the complex relationships between the captors and the captives.

A significant work is 'The Railway Man' which is based on the true story of Eric Lomax. He was a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp and was forced to work on the Burma - Thailand Railway. The book shows his post - war struggle with the trauma he endured in the camp and his journey towards forgiveness.

Some memoir - like novels by Japanese veterans or those associated with POW camps can also be useful. These can offer first - hand accounts or interpretations of events from the Japanese perspective. They might include details about the Japanese military's policies regarding POWs, how they managed the camps, and the cultural and ideological factors that influenced their actions towards the prisoners.

One such book is 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' by Jamie Ford. It weaves a fictional story around the era of Japanese internment camps in the United States, exploring themes of love, loss, and the impact of the internment on Japanese - American families.

One common theme is loss. Families lost their homes, possessions, and a sense of normalcy. For example, in 'When the Emperor Was Divine', the family has to leave everything behind. Another theme is identity. Japanese - Americans had to re - evaluate who they were in the face of such discrimination. In 'Snow Falling on Cedars', the main character's Japanese - American identity is an important part of the story. And a third theme is resilience. Despite the hardships, the characters in these books often show great strength. In 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet', the characters endure and keep their hope alive.

One such book is 'When the Emperor Was Divine' by Julie Otsuka. It tells the story of a Japanese - American family's experience in the internment camps through a series of vignettes. The prose is spare yet powerful, really capturing the sense of dislocation and loss.

Well, 'When the Emperor Was Divine' is also a must - read. It's told from different perspectives within a family affected by the internment. It shows how the family members coped, their hopes, and their fears in a very detailed and heart - wrenching way. The writing style is simple yet very powerful in conveying the emotions.

One well - known novel related to Japanese internment camps is 'Farewell to Manzanar' by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston. It tells the story of a Japanese - American family's experience in the internment camps during World War II.