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Jun 09, 2015Wong_Anne rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
[2009 Pan Asian American WINNER] On the surface it is a simple story that takes place in both1941 and 1986; of tension between a Chinese father and his American born son, Henry; the love of Hnery for a Japanese girl, the enemy; and the fear of internal terrorism that allowed for the creation of Japanese Internment camps during the war. But there is so much more. The father's justifications for his actions; the isolation of Henry as his parents want to make him American, requiring him to speak English at home even though he is not understood, yet their insistence on Chinese traditions; the perceptions that Henry's own son has about his father; cultural acceptance throughout the generations; etc. - all are handled so naturally that the story never gets lost or diverted. The title of this book can be viewed as a clever reference to bittersweet memories, as a separation between two food tastes (or nationalities), a meeting place, etc. So many layers. Highly recommended.