Forbidden (Paperback)

by Wilma Wall (Author)
Key Phrases: strawberry farm, Gila River, Donald Nakamura, Grandpa Bartsch (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
During post-World War II America, a forbidden romance flourishes between a strict Mennonite woman and a Japanese-American man. Despite the pressures, they believe God will bless their forbidden love. Guaranteed fiction!

From the Back Cover

Their friendship is suspect, their romance a scandal, and their marriage would be illegal.

Mennonite Annie Penner and Donald Nakamura, a Japanese-American, meet in college and feel pulled towards one another. Their fragile relationship is shattered by the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor and the government forcing the Japanese into internment  camps.

When the war ends, Donald returns a war hero. But all his medals, ribbons of honor, and years of respect in the local community are not enough to save his romance with Annie from stinging prejudice, clashing cultures, and unjust laws.

Amidst it all, they struggle to continue believing that a God who works in mysterious ways will act on their behalf.

Wilma Wall was born in Shonghong, South China, to missionary parents from the Mennonite Brethren church. She lived there until civil war broke out and her family was forced to return to the United States, shortly before World War II began. She currently lives with her husband, David, in Reedley, California.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (October 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825439477
• ISBN-13: 978-0825439476
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #809,356 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forbidden isn't., April 8, 2004

By	C. L. Padgett (Madera, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

FORBIDDEN is the best book I've read so far this year. Annie Penner is a German Mennonite young woman drawn to Donald Nakamura, a Japanese American Baptist. Besides their family's disapproval, they must also contend with the law of the land that makes it illegal for them to marry. Wilma Wall has captured the two diverse cultures perfectly, while crafting a literary story of longing and learning to trust God for your heart's desire. I've met Wilma, but I'm not a fan of this book just to be nice. It's seriously good and I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent inspirational romamce, January 3, 2005

By	Krista Casada - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this story of faith, prejudice, and romance, Wilma Wall has produced that truly rare thing: an inspirational love story which neither insults your intelligence nor bores you to death. Since it is mostly set just after World War II, this will be a good read especially for anyone who, like me, loved Elsie Larson's book "Dawn's Early Light," but was terribly disappointed in its sequel. "Forbidden" strikes me as more like the sequel that should have been written.
Those who enjoy "Forbidden" would probably also love "Dawn's Early Light," which takes place slightly earlier. I cannot remember the title of the sequel, whose entire plot seemed to run counter to the main truth affirmed in the first book, but I do remember that the sequel was written under the name Elise (or Elyse) Larson.
As for "Forbidden," it's a thought-provoking and enjoyable read; I did, though, notice that even major doctrinal differences occasionally got glossed over.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely issues and a beautiful story, October 7, 2004

By	Lisa M. Hendey "Lisa, CatholicMom.com Webmaster" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A war is on between two bitter and powerful enemy nations. A brave young man, persecuted at times because of his ethnicity, steps forward to defend his new homeland. A young woman finds herself conflicted over her love for this soldier, due to the fact that her own community objects to the war and fears those outside their own culture. Can the relationship survive and prosper? Timely issues present themselves in Forbidden (0825439477, Kregel, May 1, 2004, paperback, 316 pages), a novel set amidst the backdrop of Central California during World War II. First time novelist Wilma Wall tells the tale of this inspirational romance in the past, but imbues it with issues with have great relevance in today's modern world.