Customer Reviews

Pacific Empire

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought this book did an excellant job in character development and motivation. Unfortunately I thougth the political motivations and assumptions were less realistic and believable. The concept of an early in end to the European theatre with the Americans not directly involved seems rather a large leap in logic. I will not tell more so as not to ruin the read for others but this type of thinking prevades the novel.

Over all this is not a bad read but I do not consider it a first rate alternate history novel. I would consider buying other novels by this author however. Well written in an inovative fashion.

G. Miki Hayden's Pacific Empire is a wonderful, compassionate romp through the minds of an assortment of people who are linked by circumstances both within and without of their control. Although, on the surface, this book appears to consist of nine separate stories, it does not take long to discover that each is beautifully intertwined with the others to form a ninth part of a splendid and riveting novel.

Based on the assumption that World War II did not take the turns that we recognize today, Pacific Empire treats its readers to a mind-opening journey across several decades through the eyes of people connected by unknown ties of blood, honor, dignity and love. Treachery is punished, fortitude rewarded. A wonderful book.

The style of writing is breathtaking but by no means pretentious. This is one of the few books I have read where I constantly found myself pausing mid-paragraph to stare into the distance and ponder on the beauty of the words. It is both thought-provoking and entertaining; the sort of book that exudes a special power that will continue to draw you back for several more reads in the future. Do it again, Ms.Hayden, please...

Christopher Belton, author of Crime Sans Frontieres

A winner! Ms. Hayden has brought to life an alternate history in which Japan did not lose the war, and her grasp of the politics and culture of that period makes for a vivid read. The characters are so three dimensional that they seem to walk off the pages. The plot is compelling, the story-telling dynamic. While PACIFIC EMPIRE is really a series of interconnected short stories, the pace is that of a well crafted novel. A fascinating concept, and carried out to perfection. -- Elizabeth Dearl, short fiction author

From the glowing accolades of the other reviewers, I thought Pacific Empire would be tremendous. Alas, it was merely okay. The premise--Japan wins the Pacific side of WWII--is more atypical then might be expected, given the glut of WWII European theatre alternate history. The characters are interesting, and, if accurate, give insight into the Japanese mindset of the middle 20th Century. The episodic story-telling, however, left me a bit cold. I feel that Hayden wanted both the quick read of a short story and the grand sweep of a novel in Pacific Empire, and in trying for both she achieved neither. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, I just thought that it lacked consistency in its storytelling and that lessened my reading experience.

This book was an incredible feat of blending the facts of WWII with what could have happened afterwards had only a few things gone differently. It is also a mesmerizing series of small, human mysteries, and I was surprised at how much sympathy I had for our Japanese "enemies" as I read the book. Beautifully written. I want to see more of Hayden's work.

In Pacific Empire, G. Miki Hayden makes this alternative world and the people in it come alive. The characters, even the villains, are well-rounded and ring true. And the prose is truly eloquent.

The book is a great series of short stories that are just enjoyable. It centers on the people, not just the politics or changes in the timeline, but the interaction of people who never would of met in our world. The plots are interesting and make you want to know what happens next.

After years of reading non fiction, this was my initiation back into fictional reading. It was typically Japanese in it's approach as it should be, with a feeling of formality, which provided an authenticity to the backdrop. The addition of a non historical perspective allowed the readers mind to engage in possibility thinking, while following the short story format. The stories were linked by character relations and maintained family connections from the first through the last story.

I found it a thought provoking concept and the author's approach, at least for this reader, interesting and delightful. Having read other offerings by this author, it's easy to render a hearty recommendation.