Reviewer's Bookshelf: Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

Book Summary (from Goodreads):
 Irene and Rand come from very different walks of life. Will they find common ground in their fight to survive? 

Irene has grown up in the jungle as a missionary with her Aunt Anita, but now she and countless others are imprisoned by Japanese soldiers at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in the Philippines. Irene and her aunt are safe there, and she keeps busy with her duty of delivering censored messages to the camp’s prisoners, but like everyone else, she prays for the war to end and for her freedom. Rand is a wealthy, womanizing American, whose attempted escape from the internment camp has put himself and others in danger. When Rand and Irene’s Aunt Anita meet one another in the hospital, Irene learns more of his story and her heart is determined to save his family. But the danger outside the walls of the hospital worsens every day, and life in this exotic place is anything but luxurious. Can Irene find Rand’s family before they disappear forever? And can a humble missionary woman and an arrogant man find common ground in the face of their biggest fears?

My thoughts: The timing of when I read Remember the Lilies could not have been more perfect.  Over the holidays my husband and I went to see Unbroken, the inspiring story of Louis Zamperini and his survival through a plane crash in the Pacific and POW camp in Japan.  I was so moved by his story that I began searching and watching various YouTube videos that gave more information about Louie, and even videos with the man himself.  It was fascinating.  Then I bought the biography that the movie was based on and read it.  I have been amazed to read about the lives of these men and how they survived.  Right after I finished the book Unbroken, I started on Remember the Lilies.  Even though it is a work of fiction, the story fell right in line with true events that happened in World War II Philippines.

In reading this story, the inspirational aspect was about the perseverance, faith, and forgiveness of those who were held captive by the Japanese on the Philippine Islands.  Irene was a young woman who had lost her mother and father and had basically grown up with her missionary aunt in the Philippines.  She had a heart for the country and its people.  Rand's heart began with a simple desire to make money, be successful, and live the life of a wealthy playboy.  When the Philippines were taken over by the Japanese, it didn't matter where you came from...you were now a prisoner.  While it wasn't quite as bad at first, food eventually began to run out, disease began to spread, and those kept closed in were beginning to starve.  In these moments, Rand and Irene were stripped of all they knew, and both began a journey of faith that drew them to each other and closer to God.  They had to depend on Him for physical survival, but emotional survival as well as they were both victims of attempted blackmail and scheming.  Reading their journey in this aspect of their lives was what caused me to really enjoy the novel.

Looking at the aspect of connection between the characters, that was something I hoped for more of.  Irene was definitely close with her aunt, but the budding romance between her and Rand seemed a little slow and not as convincing.  I could see that they cared about each other in trying to survive.  I also don't believe that a novel needs to have a lot of physical contact to be romantic.  It can happen in a look, discreet displays of affection, or in conversation.  This happened some between Irene and Rand, but not enough to cause my heart to flutter. 

Overall, I enjoyed this novel for the positive themes I mentioned before and the historical aspect was very interesting.  I've learned so much more about the aspect of World War II that was not taking place in Germany and Europe these past couple of months.  But I would've enjoyed a little more connection between the two main characters.

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to give an honest review.**

Happy reading!