| Wonks Contributor(s): Hamilton, William Reese (Author) |
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ISBN: 0996883045 ISBN-13: 9780996883047 Publisher: Eclectica Publishing Intl LLC OUR PRICE: $12.30 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: February 2019 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Fiction | Historical - General - Fiction | War & Military |
| Physical Information: 0.61" H x 6" W x 9" (0.87 lbs) 268 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: "A harrowing wartime tale ... superb dialogue ... a dry sense of humor ... emotional gravity ... and real warmth unlikely to leave any reader with a dry eye." -- Kirkus Reviews. World War II, The Philippines. Johnny Oldfield tells what it's like to grow up in a Japanese prison camp, his pivotal teenage years filled with danger, adventure, intrigue, cruelty, betrayal, starvation, death, survival and liberation.Johnny calls himself a WONK (from the Chinese won gau, yellow dog) a mongrel running with a pack of rebellious kids and viewing his society from the ground up. Separated from his father by the Japanese invasion, he gets his life lessons from a diverse cast of characters: his mother Ruth, a nurse with a strong and independent spirit; Harry Barnes, a storyteller who arrives from China carrying the urn of a friend's ashes; Southy Jack, an ex-pro boxer who trains boys in the manly art; Polecat, a mestizo pal with an all-consuming hatred for the Japanese; the Colonel, a wise old plantation owner who gives advice on survival; Haverford, a disgruntled alcoholic from Manila's high society; and Abiko, the feared officer of the Japanese camp guard.This dramatic tale is played out in the heart of Manila, a city once called "the Pearl of the Orient," now being destroyed by massive bombing, strafing, artillery barrages and mortar attacks. |