When Will breaks off his promise to marry her, Hattie is absolutely shattered. However, little does she knows that after several decades – during which Will moved to Shanghai with another woman as his wife, and Hattie built a family with a man she grew to love – their paths will cross again. Middle-aged, mature, and both recently widowed, Hattie and Will’s love resurfaces stronger than ever. The night before they’re meant to leave for their honeymoon in Shanghai, Hattie’s mother falls ill, but Will has to leave and finally secure the scholarship program to promote the education of young women in China. It’s 1941, and what should have been a trip of just a few months turns into another heartbreaking absence of years.
Stillerman’s novel weaves powerful human drama that transcends the time period with immersive historical detail that places the reader directly in the past. The commitment to historical accuracy is palpable, particularly in the references to daily life in the face of rationing and the economic conditions of the era. The author’s use of primary sources such as family letters and historical texts enriches the narrative, and combined with the emotional intricacies of the book’s lead character make this a stunningly multilayered work of wartime historical fiction.
At times, the narrative’s flow is hindered by excessive expository details, which can distract from the emotional core of the story. However, that is a minor critique, and the novel stands as a significant contribution to women’s historical fiction, offering a nuanced look at the past’s influence on personal strength and collective destiny.
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