White Gardenia

by Belinda Alexandra

In a district of the city of Harbin, a haven for White Russian families since Russia′s Communist revolution, Alina Kozlova must make a heartbreaking decision if her only child, Anya, is to survive the final days of World War II.

White Gardenia sweeps across cultures and continents, from the glamorous nightclubs of Shanghai to the harshness of Cold War Soviet Russia in the 1960s, from a desolate island in the Pacific Ocean to a new life in post-war Australia. Both mother and daughter must make sacrifices, but is the price too high? Most importantly of all, will they ever find each other again?

Rich in incident and historical detail, this is a compelling and beautifully written tale about yearning and forgiveness.

White Gardenia announces the arrival of a powerful new talent.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Russia, Historical, Romance, Australia, War

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Belinda Alexandra has been published to wide acclaim in Australia and internationally. She is the daughter of a Russian mother and an Australian father and has been an intrepid traveller since her youth. Her love of other cultures is matched by her passion for her home country, Australia, where she is a volunteer carer for the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).
Belinda is also an ambassador for the World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia) and lives in Sydney with a menagerie of adored pets.
Join Belinda's community of readers at facebook.com/BelindaAlexandraAuthor

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so lost in this book that I am currently sitting here at 12:13am after 4 solid hours of reading. I turned the last page a few minutes ago.

Belinda Alexandra's attention to detail is wonderful. I felt like I literally walked right into the story. What I loved most was that there was no 'build-up' or 'intros'. It was straight into the story and I was instantly hooked.

Anya was courageous, strong, kind and determined. Throughout the story Anya meets so many beautiful people who become life long friends. They added so much life to the story and I loved each and every one.

I enjoyed the way Belinda Alexandra handled the lead up to the ending. It was full of questions and uncertainty. I was trying to read extra fast just so I could hurry up and find out what was going to happen.

[Maria Bikaki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Δεν έχω να σχολιάσω πολλά πράγματα μόνο το εξής. Γιατί καλό μου κορίτσι δεν την βρήκες την μανούλα σου κάπου εκεί γύρω στη 250 σελίδα μη σου πω για να μαστε όλοι ευχαριστημένοι? 2 αστεράκια ενώ στην πραγματικότητα ήθελα να βάλω ένα μόνο και μόνο για το κουράγιο της συγγραφέως να φλυαρεί ακατάπαυστα για 600 σελίδες και ότι εκδόθηκε και από πάνω. Μακράν στο τοπ 3 των πιο φλύαρων βιβλίων που έχω διαβάσει. Εντάξει γλυκούλα να τη βρεις τη μαμακα σου αλλά πέτα μέσα μαρή ένα ρομάντζο, μια ίντριγκα ένα μυστήριο και κοντέψαμε να πέσουμε σε χειμερία νάρκη.
Συνίσταται για όλες τις μανούλες που τα παιδιά τους δεν έχουν καλές σχέσεις με τον ύπνο. Με δέκα σελιδούλες θα κοιμούνται σαν πουλάκια σερί για κανά 24ωρο το λιγότερο.

[Christina Batey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been beautifully written had it had one or two more editing passes. There were passages which should have flowed elegantly across the page, but their verbosity made them clunky. I felt this lack of conservation affected the book's pacing in places.

Anya is the belle of the ball at her own pity party. Young, handsome men and strong, courageous women fall over themselves to help her and stay loyal to her throughout this book, and I still can't work out why. Her one-mindedness in finding her mother is ruthless, and while every one of her friends has managed to carve out some sort of life of happiness despite the great tragedies they have experienced, Anya just cannot. She came across to me as not just sad, but dour and selfish.

What this book does have going for it is a wonderful story, with a fairytale-like quality and exciting, exotic settings. Although it probably qualifies as a 'romance', the subject does not come up very often, and doesn't get in the way of the story. Writers will probably notice the book's flaws much more than readers.

[Gabyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este fue un mega drama histórico épico que abarcó décadas y continentes. Realmente disfruté de los aspectos históricos y las diversas experiencias culturales que experimentó el personaje principal (Anya) cuando fue desarraigada continuamente de un país a otro (para poder sobrevivir). Es una historia convincente de sacrificio, resiliencia y amor.

La propia Anya era un personaje difícil de manejar a veces. Hay cosas que haría y no habría hecho yo misma si alguna vez hubiera estado en algunas de estas situaciones realmente desgarradoras y a menudo difíciles en las que Anya lamentablemente se encontraba. Disfruté de la amplia gama de personajes, puros y despreciables, que Anya encontró durante su viaje. Fue un gran estudio sobre lo bueno y lo malo que la humanidad tiene para ofrecer. El final se me hizo un poco apresurado después de leer tanto drama, me faltó algo más

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, Loved, LOVED this book! If I could give it 10 stars, I would! Definitely the best book I've read this year so far, and I've found myself another favourite author. Belinda is such an amazing story telling, don't know why I haven't read any of her books before. Was interesting to learn what Russian's had to deal with during World War II. I could not imagine what Anya must of had to go through being separated from her mother at just 13 year of age! And to have such a tough life too. I laughed and cried with her through the whole book. Don't understand how a husband could leave his wife for dead just to save himself! And Amelia was so spiteful too. Yes, there are bastards like Dimitri around, but their are good guys like Ivan too. Was so happy that Anya managed to find her mother in the end, even if it did take her 23 years. Would love it if this book was made into a movie! :)

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is another audiobook I have listened to recently. This one was great! It grabbed my attention from start to finish. I took no notes, just listened and sucked up the story. Marvelous from start to finish.

This is historical fiction at its best. Although fiction; it is based on the mother and grandmother of the author. It is about the experiences of White Russians living in Harbin, China. Mother and daughter are split up when the Japanese invade China and Manchuria is subsequently occupied by Soviet Communist troops – one is sent back to Russia and the other must flee to Shanghai. The book is about their journeys and their search for each other.

The book is good because the different places are magnificently described. You learn about Harbin, Shanghai, refuge camps in the Philippines and finally emigration to Australia. And I have not described the mother’s trajectory! The plot is exciting.

The narration is superb. The voice intonations of Americans, Australians and Russians is just perfect.

If you wish to be transported from your own life to another world, this is the book to choose, and you will learn history in the most enjoyable of manners. Please listen to the audio version. It is an added plus.

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 3 out of 5]

Η πρώτη μου αναγνωστική συνάντηση με την Belinda Alexandra ήταν πριν από περίπου ένα χρόνο, όταν στα χέρια μου έπεσε "Το ρόδο της Τοσκάνης" που φέρει την υπογραφή της ίδιας, αλλά και των εκδόσεων Διόπτρα, όπως και η "Λευκή γαρδένια" -στην φετινή της επανέκδοση, αφού το 2005 είχε κυκλοφορήσει από τις εκδόσεις Φυτράκη- για την οποία θα μιλήσουμε σήμερα. Προσωπικά, βρίσκω στην γραφή της συγγραφέως πολλά πράγματα που μου αρέσουν, αλλά όπως είχα τονίσει και πέρσι τέτοια εποχή, αυτό που θεωρώ ως το μεγάλο της μειονέκτημα δεν είναι άλλο από το ότι ορισμένες στιγμές της αφήγησής της παρασύρεται, με αποτέλεσμα να γίνεται όχι απλά φλύαρη, αλλά και κάπως κουραστική στα σημεία. Ε, αυτό λοιπόν, είναι και το βασικό μειονέκτημα της "Λευκής γαρδένιας", κάτι που θα αναλύσω περισσότερο στη συνέχεια.

Η ιστορία του βιβλίου μάς μεταφέρει στις τελευταίες ημέρες του Δευτέρου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, σε μια συνοικία της πόλης Χαρμπίν, η οποία αποτελεί το καταφύγιο των ρωσικών οικογενειών της κομμουνιστικής επανάστασης. Εκεί ζει και η Αλίνα, μαζί με την μοναχοκόρη της Άνια, και σύντομα καλείται να πάρει μια πολύ δύσκολη για εκείνη απόφαση, η οποία και θα καθορίσει το αν η Άνια θα ζήσει η όχι. Η απόφαση της Αλίνα, θα χωρίσει μάνα και κόρη, με τις δυο τους να καλούνται μέσα στο πέρασμα του χρόνου να πάρουν ολοένα και πιο σκληρές αποφάσεις προκειμένου να επιβιώσουν, κάτι όμως που δεν θα τις απομακρύνει από το τίμημα που πρέπει κάποια στιγμή να πληρώσουν, ενώ στο ταξίδι της προσωπικής τους αναζήτησης, πάντα έχουν να τις βαραίνει η αγωνία του αν θα ξαναβρούν ποτέ η μία την άλλη.

Ομολογώ πως όσον αφορά την συγκεκριμένη χρονική και ιστορική περίοδο, κατά την οποία λαμβάνουν χώρα τα γεγονότα του πρώτου σκέλους της ιστορίας μας, δεν γνωρίζω πάρα πολλά στοιχεία, εκτός όσον έχω δεχτεί ως αναγνώστρια μέσω διαφόρων μυθιστορημάτων τοποθετημένα την εποχή εκείνη, αλλά και των όσων λίγων έχω εισπράξει κατά την διάρκεια των σχολικών μου χρόνων. Και πάλι, όμως, όλα αυτά δεν με καθιστούν ιστορικά ενημερωμένη σε τέτοιο βαθμό ώστε να μπορώ να πω αν η συγγραφέας έχει καταφέρει ν' αποδώσει καλά το κλίμα της εποχής, ή αν έχει επιτύχει ν' αποδώσει σωστά το ρεαλιστικό κομμάτι της αφήγησης πάνω στο οποίο χτίζει τις βάσεις την μυθιστορίας της. Ωστόσο, έχω την αίσθηση πως έχει πετύχει σε αρκετά μεγάλο βαθμό, αφού οι εικόνες που πλάθει και μεταφέρει στο χαρτί είναι αρκετά παραστατικές και φαίνεται να κρύβουν μέσα τους ακριβώς όση φρίκη χρειάζεται προκειμένου να "ντυθούν" με τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά της εποχής εκείνης.

Όπως ανέφερα και στον πρόλογο, η βασική μου ένταση έχει να κάνει με τον όγκο της ιστορίας, όχι τόσο επειδή το βιβλίο είναι μεγάλο -έχω διαβάσει πολύ μεγαλύτερα βιβλία απ' αυτό-, αλλά επειδή ήταν αρκετά φλύαρο στα σημεία με αποτέλεσμα να υπάρχουν στιγμές όπου η αφήγηση έκανε την επιλεγόμενη "κοιλιά". Ως όρος δεν μου αρέσει και πολύ, αλλά νομίζω πως είναι ο πλέον χαρακτηριστικός στην προκειμένη περίπτωση ώστε να μεταφέρω ακριβώς το πως αισθάνθηκα. Επιπλέον, επειδή έχουμε να κάνουμε με την ιστορία επιζησάντων μιας δύσκολης συνθήκης, ιστορικά και όχι μόνο, θα ήθελα η μετάβαση από τη μια εποχή και κατάσταση στην άλλη, να είναι λίγο πιο ομαλή και ισορροπημένη, τόσο συναισθηματικά όσο και αφηγηματικά, αφού νιώθω πως υπάρχουν κάποια κενά στην ιστορία που δεν καλύφτηκαν έτσι όπως θα έπρεπε ή τουλάχιστον, έτσι όπως θα το ήθελα ως αναγνώστρια.

Εν κατακλείδι, έχουμε να κάνουμε με ένα μυθιστόρημα η ιστορία του οποίου, στον πυρήνα της, είναι βαθιά συναισθηματική, ανθρώπινη κι ενδιαφέρουσα, ικανή να προκαλέσει και να τραβήξει την προσοχή του αναγνώστη. Το πρόβλημά της έγκειται στο ότι δεν καταφέρνει με την ίδια ευκολία να την διατηρήσει κιόλας, κάτι που μας οδηγεί ορισμένες φορές στο να κουραζόμαστε και να επιθυμούμε οι εξελίξεις να ήταν λίγο πιο γρήγορες, πιο δυναμικές, με την απόδοσή τους να περιορίζεται σε λιγότερα λόγια, κάτι που ίσως να μπορούσε να βοηθήσει στην ενδυνάμωση του συναισθήματος. Παρ' όλα ταύτα, δεν θα ισχυριστώ πως πέρασα δυσάρεστα δια��άζοντάς το, αφού πρέπει να παραδεχτώ πως η πένα της συγγραφέως είναι πολύ καλή, έστω κι αν δεν καταφέρνει πάντα να αποδώσει τα μέγιστα, παρασυρόμενη ίσως από εσωτερικά συναισθήματα που ίσως καλό θα ή��αν να χαλιναγωγήσει στο μέλλον.

[Laura Rittenhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about a place and time I honestly didn't know about. It began in Harbin, China during the Japanese occupation and told the story of a Russian family (primarily the daughter) who lived their lives in China. When the Japanese were overthrown the Russian immigrants were in trouble with the communists (being Russian tsarists). Not facing any hope of a future in either China or Russia, the daughter ends up a refugee in Australia.

As I say, the story was really interesting and I almost gave it 3 stars but the writing was a bit heavy for my taste. I felt the author didn't give me enough credit to pick up on any nuances so most major points were shouted loud and clear multiple times. This made the book longer than it needed to be and stopped me from being lost in it. But I don't want to discourage other readers because I suspect this is more my personal taste than a reflection on Ms Alexandra's writing.

[Lena Papanikolaou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Γραμμένο στο πρώτο πρόσωπο και τόσο φλύαρο πού χάνεις την ουσία..
Άνευρη γραφή χωρίς εξάρσεις συναισθημάτων γεμάτη ιστορικά γεγονότα..Δεν κατάφερε να με κερδίσει αντίθετα με κούρασε αφάνταστα σε σημείο που δεν μπορούσα να συγκεντρωθώ για να το τελειώσω.

[Margaryta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with an egalley copy of the book to review.

I debated whether or not to finish this book, and about 40% in I kept saying I’ll read just one more chapter and if I don’t like it I’ll give up. I got to 60% until I finally decided to stick to this decision.

“White Gardenia” is a book that starts off on a very strong note, one that gave me high hopes for what was ahead. The Anya we meet in the beginning is a girl with personality and the obvious existence of a backbone. The writing is equally mesmerizing and exotic, complementing the protagonist wonderfully. But as I continued reading, Anya began to sink into the background, which in turn became the more emphasized factor of the book. Her stay in Shanghai was by far my favourite part, and I would say also the strongest part of the book both in terms of character development and creating an atmosphere that transported the reader to Asia. Afterwards, the story wen somewhat downhill for me in a way I didn’t expect and was disappointed to see. I really was rooting for Anya, for her to find happiness she deserved and overcome her challenges. Instead more and more characters are introduced in what resembles a feeble attempt to rescue the drowning Anya who is losing to the setting of the novel, sinking fast. It grew difficult to keep track of the characters as they also became less and less fleshed out, and the setting ultimately won.

It’s difficult to point out the “point” of the story as well. As a survivor story it wasn’t very convincing as Anya loses some of the spark with each consecutive chapter. It also didn’t do much to set itself apart from other WW2 fiction besides the original journey in terms of destination that the characters take. Besides that, Anya dropped to the level of a regular refugee who lost that initial liveliness she had in her within the first several chapters, and that was the ultimate disappointment. There wasn’t incentive to continue reading when the protagonist doesn’t make you feel empathetic and the story feels like it isn’t going anywhere.

Perhaps there’s something I missed, or it’s my own expectations that should be to blame. But “White Gardenia” started off on a strong note and went downhill from that, making me losing my interest until it didn’t seem purposeful to continue. The story was missing that spark of life, whatever that may have been in this case. Either way it wasn’t my cup of tea, or coffee.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

*PopSugar2021: Reto #29: Ambientado en varios países*

"Nosotros, los rusos, creemos que si un cuchillo se cae de la mesa, se aproxima la llegada de un visitante varón, y que un ave que entra volando en una habitación es la señal de la muerte inminente de alguien cercano. Sin embargo, ningún presagio de cuchillos tirados al suelo o de aves extraviadas me previno cuando ambos acontecimientos tuvieron lugar en 1945, cerca de mi decimotercer cumpleaños.."

Una historia dura de Anya, una chica rusa que hace un largo recorrido para lograr tener una vida digna y tranquila.
Cada página es un sufrimiento constante porque las cosas se tuercen a cada momento, y cuando parece que va a tener un momento de felicidad, se tuerce todo. Aunque todo no es culpa de la vida, ella también la ayuda tomando unas decisiones con cierto personaje que te hacen rodar los ojos y querer entrar al libro para ayudarla.
Mi único pero es el final, muy apresurado para lo que ameritaba el libro

[Rubí Santander · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
"Nosotros, los rusos, somos pesimistas. Nuestras almas son oscuras. Creemos que la vida es un sufrimiento aliviado únicamente por breves momentos de felicidad, que pasan tan rápido como las nubes en un día de viento, y a los que les sigue la muerte."

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first sentence. However, because I was reading another book at the same time I didn't read beyond the first couple of pages at first. When I finally went back to the book, I was blown away. And I was sad that I didn't put more effort into this book from the very beginning. First of all, I loved the detail this author went into with the different cities this book was set. With so many different cities and cultures, it would appear to be a difficult task: to make every city stand out and to describe their beauty and their flaws. From the beautiful chaos of Shanghai to the isolation of the refugee camp to the scary new lands of Australia, this author wrote in such beautiful, vivid detail that it was easy to picture every scene. It drives me crazy when authors set books in exotic locations only to put minimum effort into describing the location. That was not a problem with this book.

Anya's homesickness for Russia was truly heartbreaking. I was not expecting to be overly emotional with this book. Books that deal with cancer and suicide and death . . . those books make me cry. Sorry, but I wasn't expecting as much emotion as this author gave me. I am not ashamed to say that I got teary eyed more than once. I won't give away which parts made me emotional, because you know spoilers and all that. But if you read this book, prepared for major feels. Anya was so brave, even though she was shuffled from land to land because of circumstances of the war. I think the only real issue I had with the book is that a few of the events seemed a bit rushed, especially towards the end. I read the author's note and I appreciate all the research that went into this novel. The author does admit she condensed a few of the historical events for the sake of the story. The last quarter of the book was a roller coaster of emotions. Anya spent her whole life looking for her mother and I was holding my breath the whole time. I won't reveal whether they were reunited or not, but I was a sobbing mess.

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This was an epic historical drama spanning decades and continents. I really relished in the historical aspects and the various cultural experiences the main character (Anya) experienced as she was continually uprooted from country to country (in order to survive).

Anya herself was a hard character to handle at times - I found her to be a bit of a dimwit over certain things (i.e. the men in this story) and overly dramatic on multiple occasions (i.e. all the mother stuff towards the end of the book). Both of these complaints might make me sound heartless but there are just things I would and wouldn't have done myself had I ever been in some of these truly heartbreaking and often trying situations that Anya unfortunately found herself in.

I enjoyed the wide range of characters - both pure and despicable - that Anya encountered over her journey. It was a great study in the good and bad humanity has to offer.

The story, although overlong, was beautifully written, and for that reason alone, I'd definitely consider reading more from Belinda Alexandra in the future.

[Esil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read a free copy of this book. I am always drawn to books set in 20th century Eastern Europe so that's what peeked my interest about this book. But I must admit that I found the story of Anya's journey a bit too long, tragic, romantic and predictable for my tastes. What I did like about White Gardenia is that it deals with a part of the 20th century I was not familiar with -- Russians who immigrated to China after the Russian revolution, and were then forced to leave China after the Chinese revolution, and then ended up immigrating to different parts of the world -- in this case Australia. Interesting history with complicated consequences certainly worthy of good fiction. This novel didn't quite work for me but I expect many readers of historical fiction will enjoy Anya's epic story.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story telling of the bond between a mother and a daughter and their long time separation was a lengthy read, but one that definitely kept my attention for most of the book. There were a few pages that I skimmed and went on. Some of the descriptions were just a little wordy and could have been edited out.

Anya and her luck, at times the best of luck and other times the worst of luck, truly engrossed me and I really enjoyed going on this journey. And what a journey it was. A Russian who ends up in Shanghai, an Island, and eventually Australia. It kind of reminded me of something like Elizabeth Gilbert would write. So if your into her, you would like this book.

Thanks Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Net Galley for providing mr a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Daren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read novel telling the story of a young girl of Russian descent, born in Harbin when it was Manchuria (it is now in China), and her life after the defeat of the Japanese in WWII. It follow her from Harbin to Shanghai, to the Philippines and Australia.
Tidily written, holds suspense throughout, and despite being 580 pages is an easy read.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

A well-researched historical novel, however I found the pacing very irregular and frustrating at times. The characters' reactions and actions were at times unconvincing and confusing, and the author appeared to rely somewhat on improbable coincidences or chances to achieve the plot twists and turns she wanted. I did enjoy parts of it though, so still a reasonably positive experience.

[Ioanna Bouna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ομορφο βιβλιο,αν και φλύαρο σε αρκετα σημεια ωστοσο με μια καλη ιστορια που μας μεταφερει απο την Χαρμπιν της Κινας , στις Φιλιππινες ,στην Αυστραλια και στην Μοσχα του 1960

[Kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Anya has been blessed to have a happy childhood. The only child to two loving parents, they are Russians living in Harbin, China with the world at their feet. That is until Anya’s father dies leaving them without an income and with World War II threatening to destroy them.

In order for Anya to survive the War, her mother Alina must make the heartbreaking decision to send her alone to Shanghai. As Anya grows into a woman, she will live in both Asia and the Pacific before settling in Australia; but she will also never stop searching for Alina, no matter the ongoing hardships she endures and the numerous struggles she faces.

Will Anya ever see her mother Alina again? To find out you’re going to have to read Belinda Alexandra’s historical fiction novel White Gardenia.

I have read and really enjoyed Alexandra’s more recent fiction and non-fiction books and was therefore keen to get my hands on her earlier works; the first of which is White Gardenia (2002).

From a historical fiction perspective, it was very interesting to read about WWII as it effected two distinct parts of China, about life for refugees settling in Australia after World War II; and about those of Russian descent living in 1960s Australia. This made for a refreshing plot in a genre that is saturated with Western European and UK locations.

The characters were also interesting and well developed; helpfully bringing the plot to life. I appreciate that Alexandra always writes strong characters that you not only get to know quickly; but which hold your attention regardless of whether they are good or evil.

However; after a very long and detailed book, I found the ending abrupt. It needed more, or at least an epilogue; but it was like a door suddenly slammed in your face with no notice and with no rhyme or reason as to why.

There is no doubt that a lot of research has gone into White Gardenia and for that reason alone, you’ll find it a great historical fiction read by a talented Aussie author. Like all of Alexandra’s books that I’ve previously read; it’s one that I’d recommend.

White Gardenia by Belinda Alexandra is my fourth read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Title has a colour in it’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.

[Sanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that fans of well written, well researched, compelling historical fiction do not want to miss. Belinda Alexandra did such a great job of creating an engaging narrative and beautifully convey once women's single minded drive to find her mother. Though somewhat of a slow burn this was nevertheless quite a quick read!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
"NeverI judge a book by its cover" has never been more real!!!!
I loved the adventures and journey this story went on, it was so interesting and exciting. All the characters were very lovable, and you never knew where it was going. The only thing I would say is the ending felt very abrupt and I wish there was just one more chapter to round it all off.

[Lyd's Archive (7/'15 to 6/'18) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
This book broke my heart. This book made me laugh. But in the end I was let down and extremely surprised by the fact it happened. It was so good for some time. It told a really moving story about family and a little-known part of history, bringing back parts of all my favorite books. The early war scenes reminded me of Between Shades of Gray with the setting of Anya's War and the culture clash of Russian Tattoo. I could relate very well to Anya, who was much more mature and realistic that a lot of characters her age are portrayed, though sometimes I wanted to smack some sense into her instead of seeing her so naive.
My review for part one would be an automatic 5 stars and I would add in the review that I'd give it two extra stars. I loved the settings, almost all the characters and everything about it. There are so many great quotes in those early parts.

"The [Japanese] General glanced around the room. A shadow passed over his face. 'I wanted to make it beautiful for you, but I did not succeed. Perhaps we are too different.'

"I closed my eyes and imagined a gold line stretching from Shanghai to Moscow. 'Mama, Mama,' I said to myself, 'keep safe. You survive. I will survive, until we can find each other again.'

"The wedding roses were already turning brown at their tips, like the leaves outside. They drooped their heads as if in mourning. The lilies shriveled and wrinkled like maidens fading into old women before their time."

"The coldness was still there in his body. It was impenetrable, like armor between us."

"His face was ashen. In those despairing eyes, I saw the young Dmitri. A boy who had lost his mother."

"Dmitri's love was like Shanghai. It only existed on the surface of things. Underneath it was corrupt and rotten. His love was not like my mother's love, although both had left their mark on me

However, after a certain point in part two I began to feel let down specifically, after the typhoon on Tubabao. I didn't like the Australian setting as much and it just seemed unrealistically happy for Anya how everything happened to her and the ending I thought it would be better for her, instead of the Japanese general coming back to reveal some complex and unrealistic escape plot about how her mother survived, if he would simply come back and tell her how her mother died and have her find her mother's grave or something. I just felt something was a bit underdone with the Japanese general's development

There were some spots in the latter half of this book I enjoyed. There was some good culture-clash humor (but I didn't like how she represented it with a love triangle) and it had a bit of a period feel that brought the setting alive for me. Sadly, the ending was rushed and did not move in the way I wanted it to go. There was just a certain point where I felt like "You know what's going to happen, so why bother reading anymore?"

I wish I had enjoyed the rest of this book more, but after a certain point I simply felt let down, partially because the beginning was so good.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many parts of this book that I completely loved. I was connected to each character as I found them all relatable. They had great depth and I enjoyed their journey.  The connection between mother and daughter particularly pulled at my heart strings. This was a saga if I ever read one. The adventure crosses multiple countries and cultures. Because of this, the world building was outstanding!

“We Russians believe that if you knock a knife from the table to the floor, a male visitor will come, and if a bird flies into the room, the death of someone close to you is at hand.”

Set during WW2, Anya was forced to become a survivor. She was strong in a way young women weren’t expected to be at that time. Her perseverance was beyond respectable. She was a fantastic heroine. Anya’s courage blew me away at times. As for Dimitri, not so much. He wasn’t my kind of guy. One huge contribution to the book was that Anya meets many people from all different walks of life during the course of the story. This may have been my favorite part.

The beginning of this book was phenomenal, but as it continued there were parts that lagged a bit. Like I said, though, it is a saga and not meant to fly by. The subject matter was heavy, but I think the writing was strong enough to carry it.

I would have liked to have seen the enthusiasm I felt in the beginning continue throughout the book, but otherwise, it was a solid story. Anya was likable and her family dynamic was interesting. What they suffered through and survived was fascinating. I learned quite a bit while reading this epic tale.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WW2 based novels or a great saga. The history and cultural changes alone made the book worth reading.

3.5 Stars

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘We Russians believe that if you knock a knife from the table to the floor, a male visitor will come, and if a bird flies into the room, the death of someone close to you is at hand.’

The novel opens in Harbin on the Chinese-Russian border in 1945, where Anya Kozlova is part of the large expatriate White Russian community. Anya is thirteen, her father has just died and when Harbin is occupied by the Soviets, her mother Alina Kozlova, is to be forcibly returned to Soviet Russia. Arrangements are made to try to keep Anya safe in China, and thus begin the sacrifices that both mother and daughter make to try to survive.

Anya builds a new life in Shanghai with the help of a Russian family who own a glamorous nightclub in Shanghai. She marries at seventeen, but her happiness does not last long. The Chinese civil war intrudes, and Anya flees Shanghai as a refugee who has also been abandoned by her husband. Eventually, after a period in a refugee camp in the Philippines, Anya is resettled in Australia.

Once in Australia, Anya works to establish herself while still continuing her search for news of her mother. Her life is enhanced by friends, by opportunity and eventually by love. But her life is not complete without news of her mother and it’s fitting (if inevitable) that this story will have a happy ending.

I enjoyed the colour and the drama in this novel as it shifts between countries and cultures. Displacement and loss is also a large part of this story, and while Anya and many of the other characters struggle as a consequence, most are ultimately able to find joy in the new lives they forge for themselves.

This was Ms Alexander’s first novel, and was published in 2003.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Soraya Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and adored it. I just saw it on my "To read" list and realised I'd never reviewed it! Belinda Alexandra is one of my fave authors, she's a go-to big vacation read for me when I can completely lose myself in a book.

[Velvetink · Rating 2 out of 5]

finished! review later - I have homework now.

Two stars is probably harsh, because it's a gripping read from start to (nearly the end), it just lacked the indepth historical detail that I crave.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read three Belinda Alexandra novels, I can add myself to her fan club. Wow, can she weave a tale! These are the kinds of novels that draw you in, often softly and gently at first, so much so that you're not sure you'll be able to sustain interest throughout what is clearly a long novel... but then the net gets tighter and tighter, the story more enticing, the characters more alluring, that you find yourself reading "just one more chapter" before turning out the light.

The two novels I've read by this same author, Wild Lavender and Silver Wattle were about young women whom we meet when they very young (in current parlance, they'd probably be called "tweens", that age between childhood and adolescence of 13), who has life events thrust upon her beyond her control, radical moves are made, turbulent times abound, heartache and anguish are experienced, resilience and resourcefulness is called upon (which our protagonists doesn't believe she has, but turns out she has in spades), people both dastardly and devilish as well as kind and helpful appear and "do their worst" (and their best), and eventually the tide turns and our heroine ends up in some form of triumph.

The three Belinda Alexandra novels I've read, including this one, have all followed that same trajectory. Exactly. The. Same.

What differs is the time period, the previous two stories I've read start in the 1920s, this one starts in the 1940s, and the geography, this one starting in China and ending up in Australia with a few other pitstops in between.

Even with these amazing consistencies in story trajectory, the books are all still really interesting. Ms Alexandra has something of a formula it's safe to say, but it's a winning one - I've not been bored on one single page in three novels, even though I know roughly the arc the heroine is going to take.

The one gripe I do have is that she starts our heroine's journey off so very young - 13. This is an incredibly young age to be interested in a protagonists journey, and I have found myself sighing out loud or raising my eyebrows during the first few chapters as we get through the first year or two of our girl's story. And the first 3 - 4 hears of her life, in all three novels I've read so far, are all incredible. Literally. They aren't fully credible. In the three novels I've read, by the age of 16 she's gotten married, forced to leave home and gotten a job in a music hall, and been exiled halfway across the world. By the time she's 16, she's lived a life many 50 year old's would be proud to call "interesting". In this story, by the time she's 19 she's working for one of Sydney's most popular newspapers after landing as a refugee only months before. And by the time she's 21, she's a fashion editor of same newspaper. I find all those exciting happenings at such a tender age a little difficult to swallow.

That gripe aside, I've enjoyed White Gardenia a great deal. I'm slowly collecting Belinda Alexandra novels and reading them one by one. There's four more to go, two are already on my reading shelf. She weaves a good tale, Ms Alexandra.

[Melinda Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Gardenia spans a fair chunk of time as we follow Anya from China, in Harbin and Shanghai during the last few years of WWII and into the Phillipines as she runs from Shanghai and the clutches of the communists.

Anya is a fairly passive character, who follows rules firstly because she's young at the beginning, but as she gets progressively older its less clear why she is just floating along with whatever someone tells her.

That's not to mean that she's a dull character - she has a lot of great qualities and often saves friends and family, guiding them as a moral compass as she manages her own private grief.

She sums it up best near the end of the book 'I didn't deserve the good opportunities that came to me'. She has struck gold in Australia and manages to build a strong community for herself and her Russian friends, but she is haunted by the ghosts of her Russian past.

The last few chapters of the book really tie everything together and at its heart, White Gardenia is a story of familial love and connections. It's an easy read and the story draws you in.

The most likely comparison is 'The Bronze Horseman' - and its close to recreating that type of atmosphere, but there's a little more humour in some of the other characters that lifts White Gardenia to a different type of tone.

[Natalie Potenzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Gardenia is an emotional story about Anya. Torn from her home in Harbin and separated from her mother as a child with no information about where either of them were going.

Because of the war, Anya was displaced from her residence. We follow her story as a refugee of Shanghai and watch as she rebuilds her life in Australia, deals with heartbreak and grows into herself as a woman.

Belinda Alexandra writes with such emotion and vivid imagery that we can see the story unfold before our eyes. Although the book leaves us with many questions about what happens next, it also leaves us at a point where we are satisfied with how things are left.

I found White Gardenia such an interesting tale and is definitely one to read -- I marked it down a little as I was a bit frustrated with the long chapters. Overall, I rate it 4.5 stars and recommend it for historical fiction lovers.