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Sword and Blossom: A British Officer's Enduring Love for a Japanese Woman Audiobook
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(3.06) - 67 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Esteemed British journalists Peter Pagnamenta and Momoko Williams penned this tale of bittersweet love during a tumultuous time. This true story is drawn from the more than 800 letters a British officer and his Japanese lover exchanged over four decades. Arthur Hart-Synnot, a third-generation British officer, was sent to Japan in 1904 to learn the language of Britain's newest ally. Masa Suzuki, a beautiful Japanese woman scorned because of an early divorce, worked at the Tokyo Officers' Club. The two fell immediately in love and conceived a son before Arthur was whisked away by the military during WWI. Though Arthur would only see Masa little, he supported his Japanese family and kept alive the hope that he and Masa could live together blissfully. Revealed in this story of a passion that endured three wars is not only one couple's personal history, but the history of two completely different cultures. "This is grand history on a human scale, vivid and sweeping; recommended for all general collections".-Library Journal
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"25 May 2010 - This was an amazing story about how the events of your life can sometimes be beyond your control. The historical background was very detailed, and the relationship between England and Japan at the beginning of the 20th century was vividly portrayed. I raced through it."
— Jodi (5 out of 5 stars)
Sword and Blossom Listener Reviews
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" Very interesting! The story is entirely based on real letters between a British officer and his Japanese love...reads more like a documentary than a novel. I was sad and mad at the outcome, but that's real life for ya. Learned a lot about England and Japan in the 20th century. "
— Naomi, 10/24/2013 -
" Another true memoir that I loved! If you like Memoir of a Geisha read this!! "
— Elieharmon, 9/28/2011 -
" It starts out good as a budding/forbidden romance, but the cowardly and spoiled aptitude of the British officer ended up pissing me off. "
— Jonathan, 5/1/2011 -
" great story, really makes you think about loyalty, personal feelings, and prejudice "
— Dee, 3/30/2011 -
" It starts out good as a budding/forbidden romance, but the cowardly and spoiled aptitude of the British officer ended up pissing me off. "
— Jonathan, 10/10/2010 -
" Another true memoir that I loved! If you like Memoir of a Geisha read this!! "
— Elieharmon, 5/17/2010
About Robert Ian Mackenzie
Robert Ian Mackenzie, Earphones Award–winning narrator, became an actor after holding a wide variety of other jobs, including everything from London policeman to water ski instructor in Greece. Since then, his acting career has encompassed straight theater, musicals, opera, films, television, voice-overs, commercials, and recorded books.