Miss Gone-overseas: A Pillow Book [Kindle Edition]

Mitchell Anne Hagerstrom (Author)

Book Description

In the sparse, lyrical style of a classic pillow book, Miss Gone-overseas chronicles a wartime life that doesn't focus on guns, bombs or military depredations, but on the pedestrian life of a lower-class Japanese woman as she reflects on the turmoil around her. Set on a lush tropical island during the later part of World War II, the book begins and ends with separations that are also beginnings.

Historical Fiction

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For readers with any sort of interest in the Pacific, it's a natural. For those without such a background, it can also be compelling since the pathos doesn't really depend on island life, more on war time conditions in a Japanese possession. What was especially effective was the sparse entries in the diary, something so much in keeping with the characters in the novella. Well done!" - Francis X. Hezel, S.J., Micronesia Seminar

About the Author

Mitchell Anne Hagerstrom once lived on the Pacific island where this story takes place. She now lives in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• File Size: 167 KB
• Print Length: 64 pages
• Publisher: Tiny TOE Press (January 16, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006YJ5PEM
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,265 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Miss Gone-Overseas January 25, 2012

By novemberday

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

In the space of this novella, Hagerstrom, created a character that finds her way into your heart as a living breathing woman. I fell into the spell by a good storyteller. I could "see" the beads of sweat glistening on her skin, I could "hear" the clicking of the go stones, I could "feel" the intense oppressive humidity of the island. When the tale ended I felt this world Hagerstrom had created evaporate; how I miss it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I LIKE IT VERY MUCH December 19, 2012

By marisol salcedo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

BECAUSE HAVE REAL HISTORY
A GOOD CARACTERS VERY HUMAN ONES AND
THE WAY IS WRITTEN MAKE IT LIGHT AND ENTERTAIN

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful June 30, 2012

By Brother Ken

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an expertly crafted little book that paints a rich picture with minimal brush strokes. Just enough detail to set the scene and tell the story.
I can see how this might not sit well with someone expecting a straightforward story with everything explained, but for a reader willing to stretch the mind, this is an exercise that will leave one glowing with pleasure.
I'm delighted to have stumbled across this gem.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese interest June 1, 2012

By Sami Lorenz

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This short novel was a wonderful diary like compilation of the times of a Japanese sex slave during World War II. Without the need for graphic writing, the story conveyed a haunting loneliness during a challenging time regardless of whose side you are on.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another world and time March 7, 2012

By lajefa

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I quite simply could not put the book (Kindle) down. I knew the Japanese held the old Japanese Mandates/ US Trust Territory and now Federated States of Micronesia but didn't realize the extent of Japnese colonies there. But this isn't a history book, rather, the story of one Japanese comfort woman as WW2 ends in the Pacific. Like the previous reviewer, I could feel the breeze and smell the jasmine. As with the best of novels I was left wanting even more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good January 27, 2013

By Ice Skater

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was well written and gave me insight into the the time and place. I recommend it for a light read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks to Ms. Hagerstrom for a well written story! April 17, 2013

By Barbara A. Lang

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I haven't quite finished reading, but am still sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the ending! Good story...Finished the book and was well pleased with the ending. Surprising, but a good end for all!

3 of 12 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars very disappointed May 22, 2012

By razz511

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

How this book got five stars is beyond me. I am a very avid reader. I love books. I love a good story. This book could have been great but the story did not flow. It jumped from one idea to the next leaving me baffled. It was written in 5 sentence intervals. The ending was abrupt and absolutely dissatisfying. I gave it one star because the author is good at descriptive writing. Thank God I purchased this book for free.

More About the Author

Mitchell Hagerstrom was born in Iowa City, now lives in Austin. In between were sojourns on (or in) the East Coast, the West Coast, two Southern states, a Mid-West state, some Pacific Islands, and the Far East. Many of these locales reappear in her fictions.