The Woman In The White Kimono by Ana Johns

Publication Date: 5/28/19

Publisher: Park Row Books (Harlequin)

Rating: 4/5

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from TLC Book Tours & Harper Collins in exchange for my honest opinion. This has no effect on my opinion, review or rating.

Review: Ana Johns’ debut novel, The Woman In The White Kimono, is told in alternating perspectives from 17-year-old Naoko living in Japan in 1957 Japan and Tori Kovac, an investigative journalist, living in present day America. Overall, I found this novel to be beautifully written and heartbreaking. The story reminds me a bit of Memoirs of a Geisha and the writing style reminds me bit of Lisa See’s writing. Ana Johns does a great job portraying post-WWII and describing the relationship between America and Japan. I really loved reading Naoko’s perspective as her story was fast paced and kept me on my toes. I found Tori’s perspective to be less interesting and at a slower pace, but understand the importance of her character in the story. Though I found some parts of the book to be a bit predictable, I really liked the way that Ana Johns ended the story. I would recommend reading this novel if you love historical fiction and/or interested in Japanese and American history.