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At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree

A heart-warming emotional story of forbidden love and family heartbreak from an unforgettable new debut author SHORTLISTED FOR DYMOCKS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
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( 2,867 ratings, 384 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree by Alli Parker weaves a captivating tale set against the backdrop of World War II. The story follows a resilient young woman navigating the challenges of war-torn Europe while discovering her own identity and forging unexpected alliances. Through its richly detailed setting, the novel explores themes of courage, love, and the enduring human spirit.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by journeys through historical landscapes, intertwining personal struggles with larger societal changes. The compelling characters bring to life a time long past, providing vivid imagery and a gripping narrative that will resonate with anyone appreciative of emotional depth and historical detail.

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At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A stirring story of love and hope, based on the incredible true story of Australia's first Japanese war bride and a love that changed a nation forever.

SHORTLISTED FOR 2023 DYMOCKS BOOK OF THE YEAR

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 ABIA MATT RICHELL AWARD FOR NEW WRITERS

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 INDIE BOOK AWARDS

Gordon Parker is an eager eighteen-year-old Australian boy desperate to fight for his country, and Nobuko 'Cherry' Sakuramoto is a sixteen-year-old girl struggling to survive in Japan in the aftermath of World War II. But when they fall in love, they change the course of history.

When Gordon arrives in Japan, he expects ruthless samurai, angry Japanese men ready to kill Australians at every corner. Instead, he finds Cherry, terrified of ex-enemy soldiers, a survivor of the atomic bomb. Against all the rules and all the odds, they fall in love.

But when Gordon discovers the White Australia Policy prevents Cherry from coming home with him as his war bride, he does what any 20-year-old soldier would do. He vows to fight. Leaving Cherry alone and pregnant in post-war Japan, Gordon has to convince his family to accept his marriage and wage a desperate campaign against a xenophobic and war-scarred government to allow his wife and children to come home.

A sweeping story spanning seven years and two countries reeling from the aftermath of war, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree is a powerfully moving novel about faith, trust, and the power of a love that alters history - written by Gordon and Cherry's granddaughter, accomplished scriptwriter, Alli Parker.

'A stunning story of faith, hope and love ... Parker's debut into historical fiction is beautiful in every sense.' The Australian

'An impressive debut novel ... a standout ... beautifully done. At the Foot of the Cherry Tree delivers both educational value and emotional impact. The connection to real-life individuals adds a wonderful dimension to the novel, reminding readers of the genuine struggles faced by these brave and resilient Australians.' Books+Publishing

'Based on a true story. Screenwriter [Alli] Parker, granddaughter of Australia's first Japanese war bride, has the family resilience and a sweeping writing style to take on one of the most devastating wartime atrocities in history ... A gentle love story expands into an epic novelisation.' Australian Women's Weekly

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781460763520

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 August 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 406g

Pages: 336

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About the Author

Alli Parker is a Japanese-Australian author and screenwriter, with a background in script editing and script co-ordinating. Her debut historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree, is a novelisation of the true story of Australia's first Japanese war bride and Alli's grandmother. She co-wrote episodes of crime drama series Jack Irish, romantic thriller series Secret Bridesmaids' Business and mystery telemovie series Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries. Her credits as a script editor and co-ordinator include Irreverent, Jack Irish series 1, 2, & 3, Shantaram, Secret Bridesmaids' Business, Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, Ride Like A Girl, Sunshine, Please Like Me series 4 and Utopia series 1 & 2.

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