Racist story, not one of GSP’s bests.

There are some excellent reviews of this book on Good Reads, so I will try not to be redundant. Personally, I enjoyed the story. Porter is a great writer, and knows how to weave a narrative. I appreciated that by the end the sisters were able to reconcile.

Yes, it’s a highly racist book, but also it’s indicative of an era. Gene’s strengths in writing about the beauty of nature, love and godly wholesome living are clouded by ignorance, fear and prejudice. It’s easy to judge, and say that what she wrote was wrong, Biblically and ethically. But also what she saw was wrong and she was writing about that. Grownups entering into school with children, and people coming to take from not join and strengthen a nation. Had the book been a bit more rounded, you’d have gotten to see the Japanese perspective, and at least realized the situation is complex, with many different points of view. I was shocked the Japanese man was killed! I didn’t think that necessary.

I think what bothered me the most was all these men falling over themselves in love with a high school girl. It’s just a bit odd given that generally you don’t even think of someone that much younger than yourself as even a possibility. Linda is a Mary Sue, with unlimited resources, knowledge and skill. All these things aside though, it’s still an enjoyable tale. Just not one of my favourites by GSP.

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Racist propaganda novel

This must have been one of her last novels.
Did her publishers insert the racist yellow peril propaganda? Seems to be randomly inserted.
Not enjoyable.

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