The New York Times bestselling novel about a chance discovery in boarded up old hotel that brings back long forgotten memories and rekindles a forbidden love, swept aside during the chaos and heartbreak of World War II and internment of Japanese families in the wake of Pearl Harbor. In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s - Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made - for family, for love, for country. About the Author Jamie Ford is the great-grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Kaiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the Western name 'Ford,' thus confusing countless generations. Ford is an award-winning short-story writer, an alumnus of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and a survivor of Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. Having grown up near Seattle's Chinatown, he now lives in Montana with his wife and children.
The New York Times bestselling novel about a chance discovery in boarded up old hotel that brings back long forgotten memories and rekindles a forbidden love, swept aside during the chaos and heartbreak of World War II and internment of Japanese families in the wake of Pearl Harbor. In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s - Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made - for family, for love, for country. About the Author Jamie Ford is the great-grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Kaiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the Western name 'Ford,' thus confusing countless generations. Ford is an award-winning short-story writer, an alumnus of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and a survivor of Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. Having grown up near Seattle's Chinatown, he now lives in Montana with his wife and children.
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Jamie Ford - Hotel at The Corner of Bitter & Sweet
The New York Times bestselling novel about a chance discovery in boarded up old hotel that brings back long forgotten memories and rekindles a forbidden love, swept aside during the chaos and heartbreak of World War II and internment of Japanese families in the wake of Pearl Harbor. In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s - Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made - for family, for love, for country. About the Author Jamie Ford is the great-grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Kaiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the Western name 'Ford,' thus confusing countless generations. Ford is an award-winning short-story writer, an alumnus of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and a survivor of Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. Having grown up near Seattle's Chinatown, he now lives in Montana with his wife and children.
The New York Times bestselling novel about a chance discovery in boarded up old hotel that brings back long forgotten memories and rekindles a forbidden love, swept aside during the chaos and heartbreak of World War II and internment of Japanese families in the wake of Pearl Harbor. In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s - Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made - for family, for love, for country. About the Author Jamie Ford is the great-grandson of Nevada mining pioneer Min Chung, who emigrated from Kaiping, China, to San Francisco in 1865, where he adopted the Western name 'Ford,' thus confusing countless generations. Ford is an award-winning short-story writer, an alumnus of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and a survivor of Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. Having grown up near Seattle's Chinatown, he now lives in Montana with his wife and children.
The lowest price for Jamie Ford - Hotel at The Corner of Bitter & Sweet right now is $7.99 at RoseyRavelston Books.
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Prices last updated 12 May 2026.
Last updated at 12/05/2026 05:43:33
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Delivery $9.99
originally posted on audiobookstore.com
A touching story and enjoyable read that is easily more sweet than bitter. The book aptly describes the plight of Seattle's Japanese residents during WWII and is full of vivid descriptions that will transport you back in time. The characters are sentimental and real, bridging relationships of family, friendship and first loves.
originally posted on booktopia.com.au
Set around the time of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in WW2 this love story shows the pain felt by American-born Japanese who were treated as enemies of the home;and and were interned in camps across America. It is a strong social comment, a love story and an example of how one's lives can be altered by circumstance and politics.
originally posted on Target
Beautiful love story that you wish would never end. My parents were Japanese Americans and were sent to “camp” so it was very emotional to read this story about the unfair, inhumane cruelty they suffered and the reasons behind it.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Delivery $9.99
A touching story and enjoyable read that is easily more sweet than bitter. The book aptly describes the plight of Seattle's Japanese residents during WWII and is full of vivid descriptions that will transport you back in time. The characters are sentimental and real, bridging relationships of family, friendship and first loves.
Set around the time of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in WW2 this love story shows the pain felt by American-born Japanese who were treated as enemies of the home;and and were interned in camps across America. It is a strong social comment, a love story and an example of how one's lives can be altered by circumstance and politics.
Beautiful love story that you wish would never end. My parents were Japanese Americans and were sent to “camp” so it was very emotional to read this story about the unfair, inhumane cruelty they suffered and the reasons behind it.
This is one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read! It covers a quite incredible (and shameful) part of the history of the United States during the second world war, set against an emerging romance between a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl, and a whole lot more. Written in such a way that you're just swept along with the story, it engages your emotions in an amazing way. While it is a novel, it involves real events, places and people. I can't recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet highly enough. Read it and I guarantee you will want to tell all your friends about it!
Love this book. Very compelling. Just could not put it down.
Enjoyed this book very much. Since finishing, have bought two more books by the same author. Like his writing style. Easy read.
One of my favorites. It tells a story about the internments camps during World War II and although fiction it is really moving. Although used, it was in very good condition and I was happy to find one to share.
Jamie Ford has beautifully written a breathtaking novel. It vividly portrays the disturbing predicament of the Japanese living in Seattle Wash. during WW II. A bittersweet story of first love is woven into this backdrop. The tale begins in 1986 when 56 year-old widower Henry makes a startling discovery. Uncovered in the basement of the abandoned Panama Hotel are the belongings of Japanese families stored there over 40 years ago. At that time the Japanese were being forced into and imprisoned by relocation camps following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His discovery revives cherished memories taking him back 40 years to the 1940s. The rest of the story is told from Henry's perspective as a man in 1986 with memory flashbacks as a boy in 1942. Through these ... MoreJamie Ford has beautifully written a breathtaking novel. It vividly portrays the disturbing predicament of the Japanese living in Seattle Wash. during WW II. A bittersweet story of first love is woven into this backdrop. The tale begins in 1986 when 56 year-old widower Henry makes a startling discovery. Uncovered in the basement of the abandoned Panama Hotel are the belongings of Japanese families stored there over 40 years ago. At that time the Japanese were being forced into and imprisoned by relocation camps following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His discovery revives cherished memories taking him back 40 years to the 1940s. The rest of the story is told from Henry's perspective as a man in 1986 with memory flashbacks as a boy in 1942. Through these flashbacks we learn how Chinese American Henry falls in love with a Japanese American girl Keiko. Intense feelings of racial hatred toward the Japanese were widespread forcing them to keep their feelings for each other a secret. The relocation and a deception soon separate them. Mr. Ford has brilliantly written many layers into this heartwarming tale. He's created an intriguing storyline featuring love hate loyalty...and the consequences of each in their lives. In addition these captivating endearing characters were superbly developed. The historical components are perfectly integrated into the storyline. Incorporating the 1940s Seattle jazz scene embellishes the story beautifully. I really LOVED this poignant historical story. It was very enlightening to learn about this troubling time in our history. As I tearfully read the perfect yet unexpected ending I was left with the feeling that one should never give up hope! I highly recommend this masterpiece!
Sensitively written and the bonus of a history lesson. Felt like I was walking in his character's shoes. Interesting issues with Chinese Japanese American relationships during the years of internment camps in the US
We chose this for our book club and I was not disappointed. I found it a gentle account of some of our very sad history told through the details of a lovely, respectful love story across cultures and years.I learned about the experiences of Americans of Japanese and Chinese descent during WWII in our own northwest that I had only vaguely been aware of previously. The author's style and technique of switching between the war years and 40 years after them was smooth and useful. The tenor of the book was positive. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in historical fiction.
