Justin Kerr-Smiley

Under the Sun by Justin Kerr Smiley is a short World War II novel that reads like a much longer book. Set in the South Pacific during the final days of WW II, a young spitfire pilot is in battle with a submarine hen he is forced to ditch is plane and go down in the ocean. The current is too strong for him to swim to a nearly island. He passes out from exhaustion but awakens to find himself on the island, a prisoner of the Japanese at this hidden outpost.

The book explores the relationship show more that develops between the pilot and the commander of the outpost, delving into their cultural and religious backgrounds. Eventually a friendship grows between these two men. Although the story was not very believable, I did get caught up in it and grew to care about both men.

Under the Sun conveys the difference between the men while at the same time showing the connection that binds them. He manages to show the respect, humanity, friendship and loyalty that grows in spite of the war between their nations. show less

This is about an unlikely friendship which grows up between a shot-down RAF pilot and his Japanese captor on a tiny island in the Pacific at the very end of World War Two.

Some very interesting ideas (eg the two men are both drawn to the mystical side of their respective religions, and find some common ground there).

Unfortunately, the writing is EXTREMELY pedestrian: no thought seems to have been given to how the story should be revealed to the reader, to how to develop the men's friendship show more in a plausible way, to select the right words, to show rather than tell, or indeed to punctuate properly. Pity. show less

While I enjoyed this book, I don't think that it is entirely believable. I had a hard time believing that Edward would become friends with the Japanese Captain. I feel that this is highly unlikely. I also had to wonder about how he was severely beaten and then all of a sudden he was vigorously swimming out to a shipwreck off shore and rock climbing? He must have had a miraculous recovery? Even if there were no broken bones do you know how bad salt water burns open wounds? Well setting these show more things aside, the book itself is not bad. It is a story of a friendship built on respect. I think that the writer was trying to show us that anything is possible. This is a very different story of WWII. I have not read many books that are set in the Pacific. The descriptions of the island and it's isolation do give you a sort of surreal feeling. This is a short book and I read it in one day!! A good premise for a story and a different take on things, but perhaps a little underdeveloped. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. show less

An eloquent book about war, friendship and humanity. Under The Sun revolves around a British pilot, shot down by a Japanese sub, who becomes a prisoner of war. An unlikely friendship develops between captor and captive. The final chapter was moving and beautifully written. Rather than spoil the ending, I will simply recommend the book as a well-crafted novel.