Search - Beside a Burning Sea

This book is now a sentimental favorite! There is so much that made this book a wonderful experience for me. Between each chapter was a haiku. They were beautiful. My favorite...
The earth is burning.
Blackened by machines and men.
Raindrops are lost tears.

This book takes place during WWII so there was death and war, but when death strikes the characters by heart broke. I loved each and every one of them (except the traitor). It actually made some of the parts hard to read, just because I did not want to know what was enevitably going to happen. I loved the love stories... husband and wife, the love that crossed the bounds of race and war, and a man and a boy comforting each other.

A beautiful story.

John Shors has followed up his debut novel, BENEATH A MARBLE SKY with n equally wonderful book in BESIDE A BURNING SEA! This one is set during WWII on a remote island in the South Pacific. It begins with an American hospital ship being torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese with only nine survivors. Seven are Americans by birth, one is Figian and the last is Japanese.

With this group, Shors builds a story that includes love, hate, treachery, treason and joy in the midst of fear and desperation. The story of survival is amazing (yes, the 5 star word!).

When I started this book, I could sense that it would be good, but I could not conceive of just how riveting it would become and how totally invested I would become in it and the characters. I just loved it!

This is one of the most beautifully written books I have read. Ranks right up there with Angela's Ashes. It is like floating through a poem!

John Shors has stolen my heart. This is the third book that I have listened to on audio. Mr. Shors takes the reader on an incredible journey each and every time. This one has it all - loss, love, war, valor, patriotism, deception. Very highly recommend.

One of the best written books I have read. John Shors is now one author I won't miss getting his other three books. So refreshing to read a love story & war, without all the nasty words & explicit sex. This was done with such taste & dignity. Good for Mr. Shors to refrain from the F word & other crude language. I was spellbound with the story & read this in one day. ( Less sleep, but well worth it)A real page turner. This story will stay with me a long time as well as the characters. A book not to miss. Can't wait to read his other three.

Terrific book by a great author.