Geoff Cumming

'An Attractive Naivety' used a narrative largely of a broad range of members of the Darcy-Davis family to illuminate the history of Australia in the first four or so decades of last century. 'Ashes & Sakura', the sequel, is more tightly focused on the last couple of years of the Second World War and the first couple of years after its end. The main characters are again from the Darcy-Davis family; it is good to be with them again. We start on an army base on Morotai, an Indonesian island, then continue with the occupying military forces in southern Japan. We also make several visits to the families back home.

The narrative is particularly strong, often gripping, also complex, nuanced, and always evolving. It is fascinating to learn of the highly varied attitudes of the 'winners' and 'losers' and how these changed. It is good to have the Darcy-Davis family tree as an appendix.

A beautiful historical novel, highly recommended.