This is a very harrowing wartime story The novel is inspired by true events. I
This is an amazing book.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

This is a book about a missionary school in China caught up in the war following the events of Pearl Harbour. It tells stories of bravery and selflessness, pain and loss.

These stories are related to us by Nancy, an Oxfordian academic who came to the China Inland Mission School as a ten year old in 1941 and Elsbeth, who started teaching at the school at the same time. They form a strong bond with each other that helps them through their darkest times during the occupation, internment and, finally, liberation. Their often moving recollections of the time they spent together until they were liberated in 1945, as well as their accounts of the time of the narration of the book in 1975, deal with the trauma of those years away from parents and family, when only their resourcefulness, solidarity and basic human kindness helped sustain them.

The guiding principle during the school's internment that Elspeth instils in her students is that Freedom is in your mind. Nancy's opening sentence in the prologue however makes it clear that the mind could never quite free itself from the trauma suffered during those years: 'We didn't talk about it afterwards. … But we didn't forget.'

The narration alternates between Nancy's and Elsbeth's chronological historical accounts, framed in a time of remembrance in 1975, which was triggered by a reunion. Each chapter (Occupation, Internment, Liberation, Remembrance) is headed by one of the principals of The Girl Guide Law. According to the author's meticulous and extensive research, The Guide Law played an extensive role in the education and encouragement of the pupils. I did however feel that the way this manifests itself in the book introduces a god-fearing, king-loving clap-happiness that I felt was misplaced on occasions.

All in all I enjoyed reading this book, I learnt a lot and felt encouraged to conduct my own research into this particular chapter of history, helped and guided by the extensive list of sources and further reading provided by the author.

I am grateful to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Despite the subject matter, I found this story quite soothing. Its reminiscent of ‘Tenko’ and A town like Alice and is written in the frame of Brits with a ‘stiff upper lip’. I liked the joint perspective, one adult, one child. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I flew through this book on holiday in 3 days and loved it. The story unfolds through the eyes of two protagonists who I came to feel for on lots of different levels. Their plight was heart breaking and you could see through the story that they needed each other to get through the challenges that they were faced with. The challenges were unimaginable. this is the first book I have read describing the events of this time in History and it has made me want to learn more about it.
At times, I found the story a little repetitive but this in no way took away from my enjoyment of it.
I found myself fighting back the tears by the pool as the book concluded.
This is a book that I will reccomend to others frequently.

Brilliant!!!
So touching, beautiful and utterly heartbreaking. I could not get enough of this even though I was sobbing reading this wow what a powerful novel that will stay with me for a very long time

I’ve read quite a few of Hazel Gaynor’s books and have loved every one of them. She has a really lovely way of writing about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, showing how those people find such strength of character in order to cope. The relationships between her characters are always a highlight too.

This novel is no exception. Elspeth and Nancy are authentic and likeable narrators, showing clearly their fear and bewilderment as their lives change so dramatically. What works particularly well is their belief that this can’t possibly be happening, that someone will come and hp them. It really made me, as a reader, think about what how I would react in those circumstances.

I did find, however, the storyline around the Girl Guides a little overdone. I can appreciate that it was something to hold onto, for the girls and their teachers, and something they used to give life in the camp a sense of normality, but it did take over the narrative in places.

I absolutely loved The Bird in the Bamboo Cage. It is a stunning story that will stay with me for a long time to come. Hazel Gaynor is a fantastic author and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

I enjoyed this book which is told from the perspectives of multiple characters, both adults and children. I have never read anything quite like it in terms of where it is set.

This is a story about a school in China which was educating English children when war breaks out. The teachers and pupils end up in a concentration camp. I think it does gloss over the true terror and hardship of their situation somewhat (very Tenko-like) but there are months of sadness and reality checks. I enjoyed the relationships between the teachers and their pupils, particularly as their circumstances grow harder. The girls are guides and I thought this was an unusual theme to include but it helped motivate the characters in the face of adversity.

There is much unpleasantness: a significant section of the book is set in a concentration camp. I was delighted at the inference of ‘Troubles’ fate.

Based on true events this book is incredible. Well done to the author who weaves a fascinating tale set in the more unusual setting of China during the Second World War.. An extraordinary read, very well written and sensitively done. I've read the other reviews and I agree with all the 5 star ones. An absolutely amazing read

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me this arc in return for a fair and non-biased review.

I was unable to really get going with this book. I found it traumatic. It does have beautiful life lessons for how to live your life. I was unaware of these events in the war. There’s nothing wrong with the book it was too heavy for me.

I loved this book. Such an enchanting story.
I read it in two days which for me is a sign of a good book.

Compassion and friendship amidst the horrors of a WWII internment camp. Teachers and pupils from a missionary school in Japan help each other survive, forming a Brownie and Girl Guide pack to take their minds off the horrors around them. An exceptional story beautifully told.

A very timely story to remind us of what is important in life, and all the ways in which we can appreciate the little things in life. I loved reading about an aspect of WWII which I was completely unaware of, set in a country which I love to learn more about, too.
I realised after finishing The Bird in the Bamboo Cage that Nancy would have been around the same age as my grandmother, whose experience of WWII I know very little about other than walking home in the blackout - I should have asked more when I was able to and perhaps I'll take a leaf out of the Elspeth's book to have my 'eyes on the horizon' and ask my mother about her childhood instead.

This book is told from the perspective of two characters, 10-year-old Nancy and her teacher, Elspeth Kent. They are both in a missionary school, Chefoo, when Japan declares war on Britain and America, Japanese forces take control of the school.
Following the initial take over, the students and teachers are moved to several different camps where they are faced with hunger, heartache, filthy living conditions and fear.
Inspired by true events, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is a wonderful tale of trust, fighting spirit and hope. The relationship between Elspeth and Nancy is beautiful, as is that between Elspeth and her friend & colleague Minnie.

A beautiful and sometimes harrowing story of a British school taken over by the Japanese army. Seen through the eyes both of the adult teachers and the children themselves it is a heartwarming story of friendship and resilience

The Bird in the Bamboo Cage by Hazel Gaynor is a remarkable book about an unprecedented time in our history, when a school, it’s pupils and teachers are all interned during the Second World War in China. The storyline is about some of the teachers and children, who were interned in this time in World War II and tells their stories of bravery, tenacity and determination.
It is an extremely moving and interesting book and keeps the reader engaged all the way through until the time of their release and freedom.
Highly recommended

This book was a wonderful and at times extremely emotional story of a group of children and their teachers who were at a missionary school in China. As WW2 broke out the school was taken over by Japanese soldiers. This story broke my heart at times but the way the children and teachers dealt with the situations as they happened was so encouraging. An absolutely wonderful and heartfelt read.

The Bird in the Bamboo Cage by Hazel Gaynor was an amazing book that will stay with me.......The Bird in the Bamboo cage is inspired by true events, and you will find its an unforgettable read about a remarkable community faced with unimaginable hardship, and the life-changing bonds formed in a distant corner of a terrible war. Based in China 1941, Elspeth Kent has fled a unhappy life in England for a promising teaching post at a missionary school in Northern China. But, before she got settled in her new job Japan declares war on the allies and occupies the school. Everything around Elspeth, changes and her home comforts and security are all replaced with uncertainty and fear of war that's on the horizon.
Nancy Plummer who was ten years old and her school friends are all now separated from their parents. Elspeth and her fellow teachers all need courage , love and friendship to all stick together to get through this alive.
Removed from the school, they face even greater uncertainty and danger at a Japanese internment camp, where cruelty and punishment reign.

WoW, what a strong book this was. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend The bird in the Bamboo cage.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own