Three Came Home (1947)

Life in a Japanese prison camp in Borneo. Humanity and inhumanity of war. Author writes fairly about everyone, including the Japanese guards. Astonishing and touching book, and one I'm surprised hasn't been heard of more. ( )

Agnes Newton Keith is what you would call "plucky." She is a straight shooter even in the presense of pain and suffering. As prisoners of war from January 19th, 1942 to September 11th, 1945 Keith, her husband Harry, and their infant son George are held captive by the Japanese on the island North Borneo. Because of Keith's reputation as a writer (previously publishing a book called Land Below the Wind) Keith is commissioned by Japanese Commander Major Suga to write "The Life and Times of an Internee" as proof his prisoners did not suffer in captivity. He wanted to convey actual happiness. Keith writes an account for Major Suga but at the same time she needs to tell her truth. Three Came Home is her written-in-secret journal of nearly three years as a prisoner. It documents not only her survival but her determination to be a good mother to George and a good wife to Henry. ( )

This account of the author's time from May 1942 till Sept 11, 1945 in a Japanese camp on Borneo is very well written and while the account of the ordeal she and her son go through is tiring to read it admirably enhances the extemely poignant account of the liberation of her, her husband, and son on Sept 11, 1945, which account caused me to say that I must give this book the supreme accolde of five stars This has to be one of the best accounts of time spent as a prisoer of the Japanese I have ever read. Now I will have to read its prequel, Land Below the Wind! ( )

Story of a family that survived being prisoners of war under the japanese. ( )