Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Any thoughts you'd like to share up to this point? How is this story making you feel? Has anything stood out to you? What do you think of Louie Z?

I just got through Ch 19. Boy oh boy, this guy went through so much already and I have a feeling it's going to get worse before it gets better. I just love the friendship between Louie and Phil. Reading about how they kept each other (and Mac) going while on the raft was so heart warming and yet so sad too! I just kept thinking what I would do surrounded by sharks, no water or food, sunburnt, and so much else. I don't think I would have been as resilient as those guys - but for the grace of God!

I cannot believed they survived so long only to have things get exponentially worse once on land! I get that it's war time and that makes people treat other humans in some horrifying ways, but it was so, so enraging. I loved the discussion about dignity. How it's just as essential to survival to have your dignity and how in the concentration camps, slavery and this POW camp those in power get almost a sick enjoyment out of stripping men and women of every shred of dignity.

I just love Louie. He has such spirit and tenacity. I don't know much of his story, but I know he survives and I just have to keep reading to get to that point. My heart hurts for all he endured. This book is so good! I'm glad his story is being told.

I finished this section of the book yesterday and I am definitely liking this part much better than the first quarter.
I was very moved by the survival story in the raft. I agree with Krista, the fact that they were together and their friendship made it possible for Phil and Louie to stay alive. The idea of keeping the mind fresh and being optimistic and talking about their possible future plans was a brilliant idea. I wish Mac had stayed alive as well.
I always liked Japanese Culture and their way of life and modesty but the fact that the same lovely culture can be so twisted to be arrogant and cruel is horrifying. It certainly was a dark place in the history of many cultures.
I again agree with Krista, the analysis of dignity as regards to concentration camps was right on point and very impressive.
Louie is a very dear character, optimistic, stubborn and therefore resillient. I liked him very much.
I am also very moved by the writing style. I love how it reads like fiction in most parts but makes it very clear these events really happened in the other parts.

This book is so good!

It's hard to imagine going through these kinds of horrors and having the strength of mind to keep going. I understood that the Japanese were cruel to their captives in WWII, but it really hits home when you read about it in a nonfiction format. Sometimes I wonder how on earth the human race has survived.

I agree with both of you about how Louis and Phil kept each other going when it got really tough. It's a beautiful story of the strength of humanity.