Going to bookshops is one of my favourite things to do. I am sure no-one is surprised by this. Last week I wandered into Dymocks and was immediately drawn to one of the end shelves. The book displayed on the top shelf and the accompanying signage was covered in cherry blossom. Cherry blossom is another of my favourite things. The book was At the Foot of the Cherry Tree by Alli Parker. The title made me pick it up, the cover made me turn it over.
The blurb explained it was a novel of historical fiction based on the true story of the author’s grandparents, Cherry and Gordon. Her grandmother was the first Japanese war bride permitted to come to Australia. Her grandfather an Australian army medic stationed near Hiroshima during the occupation of Japan. The book is the story of how they met, fell in love, and battled prejudice, and the White Australia Policy, to be together. I could lie and say I stood for minutes trying to justify purchasing another book when I have so many on my to-be-read pile. But, I didn’t. It had me at the cover.
It also promised so many of my favourite topics. Japanese history, political history, overcoming adversity, historical fiction. The book didn’t disappoint. I read it in just over a week, while reading two other books. It was enticing from the outset. Written from both points of view, the book has a wonderfully balanced perspective of both sides of history. Gordon’s Australian perspective as the privileged victorious, white male, and Cherry’s perspective as the defeated, non-white female. Alli executes the voices so well. Partly in her use of historically accurate language. I often heard memories of my grandparents speaking in my head, as Gordon used a lot of Aussie slang and colloquialisms. Likewise, Cherry’s progressively improving English and the Japanese reminded me of my many Japanese friends.
Without giving away too much, the book is set in Hiroshima during the war and after, and most people know an atomic bomb was dropped. The written scene of 6th August 1945, affected me emotionally in a similar way as walking through the incredible Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. A place of profound sadness and pain, but also buoyant hope and desire for peace. The reality of what some humans did to other humans is extremely difficult to grapple with and to comprehend. Alli’s scene gives just the right amount of devastation and confusion without being gratuitously gory. It’s heartbreaking to read.
When I picked up At the Foot of the Cherry Tree it had been signed in store the day before. There was also a flyer mentioning an author talk taking place at Urban Alley in Knox. I booked tickets for Stu and I to attend with roughly the same amount of consideration as purchasing the book. That is to say, I opened my phone and pressed pay now. An opportunity to hear an author talk about their process is always too good to miss. I knew Stu would be interested, being a fellow Japanophile, and an avid (currently on hiatus) reader.
Last night’s author talk, called ‘Books in Bars,’ and hosted by Dymocks, was fabulous. Alli is an engaging speaker, and having only two chapters left to read, I was a very captivated audience. Being bought close to tears several times. The hosts for the night were “Read My Blurb.’ A dynamic duo, Daisy and Jess, who asked thought provoking and pertinent questions. I thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to hear some additional backstory. Especially about June, Gordon’s sister. Finding out that Charlie was completely non-fictional also made me teary, but so happy. He was such a delightful character.
Although my copy of the book had been signed when I purchased it, I asked Alli to write something personal. I had wandered into Dymocks (again) before the event and was thrilled to see At the Foot of the Cherry Tree was sitting in the number one spot of their Top Ten. It has been Dymocks Knox’s best selling book this year. I wish Alli all the very best and am looking forward to the next book. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. One of my favourites this year.
Checkout Alli’s website here, alliparker.com, her instagram here, Alli Parker Writer and her Facebook here, Alli Parker Writer. You can also check out Read My Blurb on instagram, for all things bookish.
Kylie Eklund-Denman 