Welcome to our new book discussion. I am about half way thru the story now and find it very interesting. It is hard to distinguish between the authors story and what actually happened. Any comm ents are welcome prior to discussion. Sayonara.

Hi Shirley....good thing you mentioned this in the other folder or I would be missing it again. Perhaps a clickable to the new site from the old folder would be a good idea.

I am going to the library tonight so hope to get the book. I will be gone all next week, but mayber you will still be talking about it when I get back on the 11th.

Hope I remember to subscribe here!

Northern Joan

tomorrow, too. I hope they have Silent Honor. Shirley, the blurb at the top sounds interesting--and not too complicated. I'm ready for a relaxing read. Sue

Greetings to one and all. Shouldn't be any trouble getting the book at the library. I understand she has another book out now. Well, I should finish the story tonight and I haven't cried yet. There is a new development in the story and I'm trying to figure out how the story will go. Very interesting. Where are you off to now, Joan? You are as bad as me. Always on the go. I just got back from Grand Rapids MI.Sayonara. PS Joan. Saw the picture of the cutest baby! She's your grandaughter? A real cutie.

I got the book....now hope I find time to read it!

I am going to San Francisco for another elderhostel.

Yes, Sarah is my granddaughter. I think she is a doll but then I am a bit prejudiced. She always has a smile.

Northern Joan

When I went to the library today, they had a copy and it was in, so I checked it out. I need to finish reading Cuba by Stephen Coonts, so won't start Silent Honor for a few days.

When I was growing up in West Virginia, I never heard of the detention camps in California for the Japanese-Americans. I was shocked and thoroughly disturbed in the 60s when my neighbor who was also a Navy wife told me she had never been out of California except when they were sent to the camps. Her family were Japanese-American farmers who had their property confiscated and who were sent to the camps in Arizona for the duration of the War. Many of these Americans later fought valiantly in the European theater. Her husband, also Japanese-American, attended the Naval Academy in the 1950s, was a fighter pilot and was a prisoner of war during the Viet Nam War. He has only recently retired as a Naval Captain. They are probably the most patriotic Americans I know. Two of their children have also served as Naval Officers. When she told me about this, I was ashamed for my ignorance and of my country's injustice to these people. Sue

Sue, that is quite a story. Do you see these people now or do you have contact with them? I think our country is really ashamed about this whole thing. I have some questions I'd sure like to know about.

So glad both you and Joan got the book. Lots of time to read yet. Very easy. Anyone else going to join us for this discussion? Any lurkers?

I'm reading Rosamunde Pilchers' "Voices in Summer" and don't have a clue as to where she is going with the story. Oh, I just read the back of the book and it tells there.

Hi Shirley! Yes, we have been friends with these folks for about 35 years. They were our neighbors in Navy Housing at Monterey, California, in the 60s. Their 2 sons and daughter were about the same ages as our 3 sons. The kids played together and we parents did lots of things together. We kept up with them over the years through Christmas cards and photographs. They finally got out of California with a tour of duty at the Naval Academy while we were stationed in nearby Maryland, so we were able to visit them there. Now we're exchanging pictures of our grandchildren. Neither of them ever expressed resentment of their treatment as children and actually only spoke of it that one time. What I know about interment, I have learned since through books. There is a good children's picture book about it. I think the author is Alan Say, but I can't be sure. I'll look it up on Amazon.Com and Barnes and Noble and get back to you.

I finished Cuba last night and am starting Silent Honor this evening. Sue

Sue, am glad that you have kept up with them. After you read the book, maybe you can answer my questions or ask them what they know about it. More later.

Hello Ladies! I don't recognize any of the names here. I haven't been in SeniorNet for a long time but when I got the e-mail that you would be reading one of Danielle Stelle's books I couldn't resist. So I stoped at the bookstore on the way home from work today and bought Silent Honor. (Actually one of her books that I don't already own!) I am planning on having it finished in time for the book club to start. I also keep telling myself that I sure have a lot of nerve to think I can do this because the last time I signed up to join a book club here I could not keep up. But a lot has happened since then and my life is calmer now so let's hope this works because I would love to join you. Shirley I am curious about the title Packer Backer?

Glad to hear you will join us Jeanine. I think the book is a pretty easy read so perhaps we will all finish it. I will be out of town until Dec. 11 so will miss the first days of discussion.

Northern Joan

Shirley, I'm here! I have the book but haven't started to read it yet. The subject sounds interesting. At the time I don't remember hearing about the internment of the Japanese who had been living and working in the US. Was it a hush-hush thing, or was I just an indifferent teen-ager? I'm looking forward to learning more.

Welcome Jeanine. Happy to have you with us.

Welcome again, Mem. Good to see you with us also.

We will take this slow and easy. As you can tell, I'm not here everyday. Just stop by and say a word or two or make a comment on what is being talked about. Keep it going for as long as we want. With the holidays, everyone will be busy so relax and enjoy reading as you can.

A Packer Backer is a fan of the Green Bay professional football team. Green Bay WI is known as Title Town USA. Do you follow football at all? Northern Joan lives in Minnesota and prefers the Vikings. Grrr. Pack won today. Vikings play this Monday night and lead the division right now.

I don't believe it was a hush-hush thing. I was a teenager then and remember hearing about it. When I was talking to my friends about it, they couldn't remember it at all. Maybe I saw it in the newsreels at the movies since I lived in a city and went to the show every week. Sayonara

post on the Japanese internment. In my small town in West Virginia, the only thing I can remember about the Japanese is that my grandmother put a very lovely vase away for the duration of the war because it was made in Japan. It was one of the things left to me when she died. I also remember school kids making crude jokes about Tojo who was one of the highest of Japanese Army generals. My previous post tells how I learned about the internment during the 60s from a friend who had been sent to one of the detention camps. This is a terrible blight on American history, I think. I have more to tell about this when we start discussing the book.

I don't know where Steele did her research, but I think it is pretty accurate. I have completed reading the book now and am ready to start discussing it.

Shirley, will you be posting questions to discuss or just what format will you use? Sue

Thank you for answering my question Shirley. No I am not a football fan. Hubby is a football fan. I would rather read!! About as much as I know is that I live in Steeler Country and I can tell you our coach and a few of the players!!.

Jeanine

We can begin discussion of this book on this the anniversary of World War 2. Hopefully by now, any anger against Japan has dissolved.

Would you have expected the father to have modern ideas and the woman to believe in tradition? Or the other way around? Japan is a country so full of tradition and many still practice the old ways. What are your thoughts on romance in Japan as compared to the US?

Did Hidemi show love for her father when she agreed to come to the US to study?

Because Japan is such a country steeped in tradition I can't see either man or woman trying to be western (then). However, Masao is a college professor and perhaps that exposed him to more modern ideas. Plus when I think of Japan at that time I think of more men being educated than women so men would again perhaps have the more modern ideas. Masao had a cousin in America with whom he kept in contact. This would also expose him to more modern ideas.

I can not picture having your parents pick your husband/wife for you. Even if I felt my own mother tried!

Hedemi most definetly showed love and respect for her father when she agreed to come to america. This was not something she wanted to do. She would have been quite happy to stay at home and have her parents arrange a marriage for her. Or if she HAD to go to college then she would have preferred Tokyo to America.

Hidemi was the conservative traditional mother. The daughter who was also conservative and traditional was Hiroku.

I agree that Hiroku showed her respect and love for her father in the most traditional way by going to America when she very much wished to stay at home.

Jeannine's assessment of Masao is on the mark, I think. He developed his modern ideas through his work as a professor (don't we usually characterize academics as liberals?) and because of his respect for his cousin, Takeo.

What did you think of Peter's attraction to Hiroku and all things Japanese? Sue

Oops. Or as the nuns would say, just checking to see who is paying attention.Yes, Hiroko is the daughter and would you believe I keep a list of all the characters? Guess I should list the relationships also.

Jeanine, you are absolutely correct in all your reasons, especially about the brother living here and being more American than Japanese. I'm very curious why it was against the law for them to become an American citizen. I was not aware of that. Sue, would your friends have an answer?

I often marvel at the way an author gets a character into the story. It was so perfect that Peter had been to Japan and loved it there. Even to the area Hiroko was from! But yes, I can see that happening. It would be one of the attractions of a person. Don't you think?

I was surprised too, Shirley, that Takeo couldn't become a citizen. Also, I never realized that it was illegal for a Japanese person to marry a Caucasian! Was this only in California? I did't know that there was prejudice against the Japanese before Pearl Harbor, as exemplified by Hiroko's roommates and the other girls at St. Andrews. Sounds as though there is a lot I didn't know, doesn't it? Well, I'll keep reading and learning.

I'm not surprised that California would have a law then against marrying a Japanese citizen. I'm sure it was repealed long ago. I am sorry to admit that Alabama is one of the Southern states where it is still illegal for Caucasians and people of African-American descent to marry. It is ignored and there are mixed marriages here and there has been recent talk of changing that portion of our outdated Constitution. Believe me, it has many amendments which are just as ridiculous which should also be changed.

I did not know that a Japanese immigrant was not permitted to become an American citizen in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Perhaps there were quotas of Japanese as there were of the Irish and other minorities who came to America in the early 1900s. We need to look it up somewhere. Sue

Hi everyone. I remember reading somewhere that the discussion on "Silent Honor" would start on Dec. 7 and I proceeded to get the book and read it. Then I thought it would be in New Discussions around the 7th and because I was busy I didn't find it. I didn't realize that you were all discussing things before the "discussion" started.

I was in Chicago when the war started and the internment happened. World War II always meant the Holocaust to me. My family is Jewish. I was unaware until relatively recently about what happened to the Japanese Americans in California, and elsewhere.

I was angered at the way Hiroko was treated when she went to school in California. She really hung in there in spite of everything. I am not sure I understood exactly why she did her roommate's homework. I suppose she hoped she would be a friend as a result. Her life at school was pretty bleak.

I would like to think that this story could have truly happened. That there was this family and the outcome was possible although it seems hard to believe that Peter would arrive in Japan and find her again.

I haven't been part of a book club before and decided to try with this book.

Marjorie

I'm happy to see you here. I don't think many of us who are not native Californians realized that this was going on during World War II. Did you see my early post about my Navy friends who were sent to camps as children? I was horrified when Jeanne told me. I had never heard of such a thing.

Hiroku was treated horribly at school, both before and after Pearl Harbor. I think she did the homework because she was raised to help and serve others, and she also felt very intimidated by the cruelty of the other students. She had expected loneliness but not hatred and prejudice. I think Danielle Steele must have had a friend who had experienced this. She mentions someone in her dedication who sounds as if it happened to her.

I agree that the ending is lame. The story is exciting and suspenseful up until Hiroku returns to Japan. But you can tell it's going to have a happily ever after ending, even if it has to be contrived. Sue

I agree with everyone Hiroku was treated horribly at school. Marjorie, I think she did Sharon's school work out of a sense of duty. She was very raised in the old ways and if the others hated her it must be her fault and she must make amends. I think of it as more of an inferiority complex. Being (Japenese) female she was raised to obey and serve.

Sue, you asked about Peter's attraction to Hiroku and all things Japenese. I think at first the attraction was the fact that she was SO different to the others he had dated. Especially his girlfriend at that time. A model. Hiroku was as far removed from a model as one can get. Plus Peter was Japanese. I realize that he was not born and raised in Japan but still this is his culture. He had been to Japan to learn about his culture. Here was a beautiful, shy and very innoncent Japanese girl. How could he not fall in love?

Shirley, I believe that you keep a list of all the characters, because I do also. (One of those things I was "trained" to do in a college English class that stuck with me!)

I also did not realize that there was preduice aganist the Japanese before Pearl Harbor.

Marjorie, I have been part of a book club both in Seniornet and other sites. I really injoy them. I hope you enjoy being part of a book club.

Jeanine

I read in the newspaper yesterday that Italian Americans were treated shabbily (about 600,000 of them). They are asking the government to acknowledge this state of affairs. Short-wave radios were taken away and never returned. I thought this was interesting in light of reading about Japanese treatment. I've finished the book and still am not impressed with D. Steele as a writer. I know, I know I must be a minority here, because she is an extremely popular author. Her prose seems not to flow smoothly. She tells a good story and her research seems thorough. I feel I learned much that I didn't know, so maybe that's enough!

Hi folks .... I arrived home from San Francisco and did read the book. I thought it was actually one of Steele's better books. Incidently, she lives in SF! Saw her neighborhood.

I will be unable to be here to discuss it though as I arrived home last night at 2:30 a.m. and had a message that my mother had been taken to the hospital in the Twin Cities. Today I learned that she had a major stroke and broke her hip in three places in the fall. I have worked like mad all day getting all my Christmas stuff wrapped and cards ready so I can take off in the morning for the Twin Cities. My brothers and I will have to make some decisions about her care and I will probably have to clean out her apartment as she won't be able to live on her own any longer. So I may be gone until after Christmas.

I hate to miss the discussion but can't be helped.

Have a good Christmas.

Northern Joan

Mem, I am sorry to hear that you do not like Danielle Stelle's writing style. I read a lot. Sometimes I read to learn, some of my reading is daily devotions and sometimes I read to be transported to another place! Danielle Stelle is one of my favorite authors when I want to read and not think! Fortunetly we all like different authors or this world would be very boring. Because I am a curious person may I ask whose writing your prefer? Oh, by the way I too am from PA. Where in PA are you from?? I live outside the Pittsburgh area.

Joan, so sorry to hear about your mother. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

JEANINE: I had the impression that Peter was not Japanese, but a Caucasian who was fascinated with Japan on a trip there. Anybody else remember? I thought that was why so much was made of his being able to get into the detention camp. If he was Japanese, he would have been sent there. Certainly he was attracted to Japanese things before he met Hiroko. He admired many things about the Japanese culture and she represented that culture in every way.

Jeanine, fellow-Pennsylvanian, I live in the Philadelphia suburbs. So, we live the state apart. As to the authors I like: Maeve Binchy, Betty Neels, Debbie Macomber in the romance area, but I probably read more mysteries than anything else. In that field I like Dick Francis, Philip Craig, Martha Grimes, and lots of others.

born in America. He went to Japan as a student of Political Science/Government/Social Studies and fell in love with the Japanese culture. He was attracted to Hiroku initially because of her very conservative ways and beautiful Japanese appearance.

I think this novel is an improvement over most Steele novels. I, too, like to read things where you don't have to think much, especially when I'm under stress, but most of Steele's work is just too predicatable for me. That which I have read involves mostly upper class situations which seem unrealistic to me. There are too many coincidences in her work--even this one. I think Peter's finding of Hiroku in Japan after the war is too coincidental to be believable, but I was expecting it to happen.

For Romance novels I like Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick and Jayne Anne Krentz (same person). I also like Dorothy Garlock and some of Catherine Coulter's books, but I think her last efforts are pretty repetitive, too.

I'm very fond of Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher, but I don't really classify them as Romance novelists. Sue

What a wonderful discussion going on here. My apologies for not posting the other day when I was here. Seems I was distracted and simply forgot.

Welcome Marjorie! Very happy to have you with us and hope you are enjoying the discussion. I just renewed my book from the library and in the dedication, it reads "To Kuniko, who has lived it......"

Sue, you said earlier that you would have more to say about your friends being in a camp? Would like to hear about it.

I was happy to see the authors that you like. For the fans of Danielle Steele, go to the index for Books and Lit, and find the BC 2000 discussion. It has two of her books being considered for next year and not in romance. That surprised me, but then her books are listed as fiction.

Joan, I will send you an email about your mothers' injuries.

Marjorie and Everyone later Sunday for some reason my posting popped into my head and I thought dummy Peter was not Japenese. Sorry everyone that was my fault. I guess that is what happens when you wake up early and the body can't fal back to sleep. Clearly the brain did!

Mem of the authors you listed Maeve Binchy is the only one I have read or at least remember reading. I don't read many mysteries though. Be sure I will see if our library has any of those authors books for me to look at. Thanks!

I can't believe what the sutduents at St. Andrews did to Hiroko. I know that those were different times but I just don't have it in me to treat people that way.

The horror of having to tell your family that they must sell everything and go to a relocation station is unbelieveable to me also.

Let's just hope that nothing like that happens again here. I wonder if anything similar is being hidden away or do you think the media would have been able to sniff it out and bring it to our attention?

Bad enough to have to sell everything and leave, but what about the return? Where would you go if you had nobody? Glad you figured out that it was Peters' culture by choice.

I just lost my post. I was trying to tell you that I couldn't remember what I'd planned to tell you after we became involved with the book. I went back and reread all the posts. So it finally returned to my memory.

When we lived in Monterey in the 60s we went to the Presbyterian Church in Carmel. From the church patio you could see the ocean front beach. Some of the longtime members told us that during World War II there were nightly blackouts and air raids. There were also daily rumors that Japanese submarines had been sighted out there and that Japanese sailors had tried to land on the beach. People were frightened. Perhaps this is what led to the prejudice against the Nisei, who up until Pearl Harbor had been respected citizens of California and the United States.

My friend did not tell me more than the fact that she was sent to the camps when she was 5 or 6 years old. They stayed there several years. Her family and her husband's family eventually regained their property and became prosperous in the farming industry. Her father or perhaps father-in-law was the longtime manager of the California State Fair afterwards. And her husband received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in the 50s, so life definitely improved for them.

I have other Navy friends from Michigan who told us that there was some investigation of Americans who were of German descent--perhaps those who were only one generation away from immigration. I was amazed. Both my husband and myself have German ancestors, but many years back. We'd never heard of such a thing.

Another thing that is troubling me about Silent Honor is Peter's apparent lack of family. Hiroku had thoughts that they might not accept her, but Peter seemed to have no contact with them. Does anyone have ideas about this? Sue

Does anyone know the significance of the title: Silent Honor? Does it refer to the secret marriage ceremony? I don't remember any mention of Peter's family either. Do you think Peter,Hiroko and the baby will stay in Japan, or return to the US?

MEM: I think it will be difficult for Hiroko and Peter whether they stay in Japan or go back to the U.S. Will they be accepted as a couple? I think they will stay in Japan then that they will go to the U.S. Maybe some of that is what I would do -- the U.S. is home for me.

Somehow my post is missing. My ISP has been up and down for the past day and a half, so maybe that's why it disappeared. Here's the gist of what I said:

I think Peter and Hiroku probably will move back to the United States. After all Hiroku has no family remaining in Japan. Peter may have family in America. We do know that he was told before leaving for the Army that his job as Department Head at the University would be waiting at the end of the War. I don't think the University would fail to keep that promise to a returning veteran even though his wife was Japanese.

I think Silent Honor refers to Hiroku's courageous but quiet attitude during her harrassment at college and at the camp. She suffered and grieved over her treatment, but silently. She felt it would dishonor her and her family to act out about it. Isn't this a far cry from how young people handle their problems today? Sue

SUE: I think you analysis of the title of the book is correct. And, yes, it is sure different that what is going on today. I worked with someone who was out to get everything she could. She somehow felt she deserved it without doing anything to earn it. Drove me crazy.

What a wonderful discussion going on here. To voice my thoughts, isn't it possible that our fear of the Japanese came from the fact that we had never been attacked on our own soil and here are all these people in our country? There was fear concerning the Germans also. I live in Milwaukee which is a heavily populated area of Germans. I don't recall how much fear there was tho as I was raised in Minneapolis. Didn't pay too much attention to that part of Milw history.

I thought they would stay in Japan but you give good reasons for returning to the US. Peter would get his job back as it was the law that all returning servicemen would get their jobs back. My brother-in-law was an attorney for the VA here in Milw but was unable to join any service due to health reasons. When all the guys came home, he was bumped down so much, he left and the family move back to Mpls where he opened his own law office.

My first thought regarding Silent Honor was that it referred to the entire race and their behavior during the internment. It was part of their heritage. But all the reasons you have given could apply.

We seem to be so caught up in the reality of what happened, we are overlooking some parts of the story. Any comments on Hiroko binding her body while pregnant? What about the No-No-Boys. Was there really a General DeWitt or someone like him? How about the concern Anne Spencer showed Hiroko and finally the help she gave?

We had a crash yesterday and the posts between noon and 8:00pm PST were lost... Sorry, Sue, but that sometimes happens.

Sue & Shirley, your interpretations of the title sound good to me. The binding was terrible and it's a wonder the baby survived intact but her mother had done much the same thing. I believe it was stretching belief for Anne to change direction so completely. That just didn't seem to ring true! The NoNo Boys were scary, but I don't remember anything about them historically.

that it was a little far fetched for Anne to make such a complete turn-around. It would have been more believable if Steele had made her just a little bit sympathetic at college. Maybe there could have been one scene where she looked at Hiroku with remorse or a silent apology in her eyes.

I have never heard of gangs in the camps like the No No Boys, either. That seems like an exaggeration to me because it is so against the Japanese revering of the elderly. However, it could have happened. I wish I had access to some of the factual books which have been published about this time in history. Our small library has nothing on this. Sue

 
 
Dear Shirley: 

My most sincere condolences to you!!!   heh heh heh 
Lorrie    

I don't know what Lorrie is referring to. If you have had a loss, please accept my sympathy. Sue

Oh, My! I think an explanation is due here. Shirley and I have been good-naturedly (I hope) teasing each other about the two football teams, the Vikings (my favorite) and the Packers (Shirley's). Well, yeaterday the Vikings beat the Packers on Monday Night Football, although narrowly. So, to rub it in a little, I posted a message of condolence to Shirley. Where else? The page where she is a Discussion Leader. It was to be a surprise, so sorry I confused you, Spring Creek Farm. Lorrie

But Shirley, you still have my most sincere sympathy. I'm a Packers' fan, too. I love seeing all the cheeseheads when the Packers play on TV. And my husband was born in Cornell, Wisconsin. Sue

Truthfully, I didn't expect the Packers to win. I don't see it in their play.But Sue, take another look at Lorries first message. Heheheh. That is the clue. She's laughing! Well, I could be like the old Dodgers and say "wait til next year." Of course she could have e-mailed me. Maybe I should get that voodoo doll out after all. Hmmm. (Sue, I have a voodoo doll that really works and I threaten Lorrie with it every once in awhile.

Right after the dead cat incident, Anne did go to Hiroko with sympathy over the incident. "...there was a look of sorrow in Anne's eyes, and they filled with tears as she held a hand out to Hiroko" "...I came to say good-bye. I'm sorry about what they did to you".

Goodness, Sue, I didn't see your last post and thought we had posted at the same time. Good to hear you are Packer fans too.

This looks like an interesting gtoup of people talking about a book that has a great title, anyway. I'm not too much of a romance reader, but I think I'll get this book and read it. It sounds sort of engrossing. Anyway, I'm afraid of that voo-doo doll of Schirley's. Lorrie p,s. I read pretty fast, maybe I can catch up with you.

I didn't notice the arrow at the side of my screen. All I could see was the condolence message. I guess the last laugh's on me. he he he! Sue

This is the first chance I have had to get back to the boards in a few days. BUSY getting ready for Christmas. I am not sure that I am every 100% ready anymore it just sort of happens and what is done is done!!Got the gifts bought. Some still need wrapped. I watch my neices children so last night I made cookie dough and brought it with me this morning so I could back cookies. Actually got cards out and in the mail this year. Brought them along one Wednesday and did them. (On wedensdays I only have 1 baby the rest of the week I have two babies and a 3 yr old) Anyway in trying to get Christmas done I haven't done much reading. Our tree will go up Christmas Eve and be decorated then as is our tradition. Everyone enjoy the holiday.

Just think. This time tomorrow evening (it is 7PM here) many families will be gathering to celebrate the Holy Season. Another week and we'll be ushering in the new year and hoping all goes well. Computer wise, that is.

Lorrie, I'm sure you will be very interested in the book and we will be happy to have you join us. Hopwfully, Northern Joan will be home and have a few moments to add a thought or two to the discussion.

Jeanine, good to see you back from all those preholiday activities.

Sue, don't you wonder what we see and what we don't see. Or how many times we say one thing and mean another. Or sadly, how often do we say something and it is taken the wrong way?

So my friends, have a blessed holiday and come back when you get a few moments.

PAT WESTERDALE: Thank you for your email notifying me of the maintenance scheduled for Dec. 27.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD DAY!

marjorie

Hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday.

Has everyone recovered? Or are you still celebrating? Still reading?

My husband got the book "The Undertaking" by Thomas Lynch but I am reading it first. Since I am retired from a cemetery, I think I will find it very interesting. I always said if I wrote a book about the cemetery, I would call it "Life in the Cemetery."

I like to read a bit about the authors of books I've read, and looking around, I found some very interesting facts about Danielle Steele. For one thing, many of her novels are based on her own experiences, and what a life she's led! Here are some tidbits: "Dressed to the nines and draped in diamonds, Danielle Steel is America's favorite author. She has enchanted readers with each of her 44 bestselling novels--and has a total of 350 million books in print! Now, this stunning, uncensored biography reveals how closely Danielle's fiction is based on real life--the rich men, the dangerous men, the heartbreak, the struggles, the triumphs...and the secrets too dark to tell. : -Her cruel, lonely childhood which became the inspiration of her novel Loving -Her long-hidden marriage to a convicted rapist that readers will recognize in her novel Now and Forever -Her third husband, a handsome heroin addict, who, like the protagonist of Remembrance, broke her heart and nearly ruined her life -Her lavish spending and opulent lifestyle in a San Francisco mansion -The tragic death of her nineteen-year-old son in 1997 -The break-up of her fourth marriage--and the new man in Danielle Steel's life

Synopsis Could anyone live a life as dramatic, tumultuous and romantic as a Danielle Steel heroine? Yes--Danielle Steel herself. Now, this stunning, uncensored new biography reveals how closely Danielle's fiction is based on real life--the rich men, the dangerous men, the heartbreak, the struggles, the triumphs and the secrets too dark to tell." HC: St. Martin's Press. Synopsis Reveals Danielle Steel's sometimes tragic, often dramatic personal experiences that served as inspiration for her best-selling novels, from her lonely childhood to her fairy-tale first wedding and heartbreaking marriages to a heroin addict and a convicted rapist. Reprint. From the Publisher "Steamy." --Entertainment Weekly "Dramatic and compelling." --Romantic Times "Steel's life would make as compelling a TV mini-series as any of her novels have." - -Publishers Weekly "Fans of Danielle Steel's romantic concoctions will relish this unauthorized biography...Bane and Benet...have done an admirable job." --People

Lorrie

Lorrie, how nice of you to research that for us. Thank you. Do you know what bookthey were talking about for that review? What search engine did you use to find it? Or what website did you use? I've read several of her books but don't think any of those. Wil put them on my personal list and try to find them at the Book Seller.

Thanks, Shirley. If this address doesn't work, I got the information from Amazon.com, Danielle Steele Biography. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0786000325/buythebookfoundaA/102-3574658-7434457

She led an amazing life, didn't she? I never knew her personal history was that interesting. I didn't read the whoe biography, but the editorial blurbs were enough.

Lorrie

I think that sometime in the past I have read a book blurb that said she is the mother to 9 children! Sue

Sue, in answer to your question, the only thing I found about Steele's children was the fact that one son,19, died "tragically" in 1997. I got most of this from the ad for the unauthorized biography called The Lives of Danielle Steele" by Lorenzo Benet and Vickie Bane. It's available in paperback and I'm thinking seriously about buying it--her life seems pretty interesting.

But to get back to the book Silent Honor. Did you know that many readers of Japanese descent were very disapproving of the book? Many of them said that it was ridiculous--that no Japanese girl would suffer the shame of bearing a child out of wedlock, and even worse, a child whose father was a Westerner. So much for figments of imagination!

Lorrie

Well.They considered themselves married, but I think that happened after they had made love. They went to a Buddist Priest. I read many many years ago that a couple can make a vow to each other to be husband and wife and they would be married. A priest or minister or rabbi would leagalize the marraige. That probably was done in areas where there wasn't anyone around for months at a time such as a remote island.

Will check out Amazon tonight. Just looked at it and you are right Sue. She had nine children. WOW!

offended at the pregnancy and single motherhood. We did see the Buddhist ceremony performed secretly and it seemed legitimate to us. Perhaps it's because we recognize that this is a romance novel and this genre is not often realistic. During the Second World War, many Japanese pilots flew "Kamekazi" (sp) missions which were suicidal and many Japanese soldiers reportedly committed suicide rather than submit to the disgrace and dishonor of surrender, so perhaps these reports you mention, Lorrie, are a cultural thing with those readers. Sue

Well put, Sue.

I hate making choices! I was just wondering what book we will be reading next here and when. I hate to be ask because it then sounds like I am in a hurry to end this and not the cse. I received an e-mail telling me that the fiction cook club will be reading Where River Turns to Sky and am thinking of moving over there for a while because the other is also suppose to be part of the group. I have never done a reading with the author and it sounds interesting. I know better than to try two books at once so just wondered what my choices were. If you won' be changing books for a couple weeks then I can do both.

Go ahead, Jeanine and join the other group for now. We are beginning to think about the next book but it will be a week or so before a decision is made. Will let you know. I can tell you the author will be Jayne Ann Krentz. Are you familiar with her? Do you have any suggestions of her books? I'm just beginning to research her now.

Shirley, I looked Jayne Ann Krentz up at Barnes and Nobels.com I am sure I read her book Witchcraft. It was good.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! Have any of you read SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS? I haven't, but today was reading about a new movie by that name. Apparently there are references to the internment of the Japanese during WW II. It would be interesting to compare the two books. Though CEDARS is not a romance.

We have read and discussed Snow Falling on Cedars, but lost the discussion in a crash...

Today, I went to neighborhood library to see what they have of Jayne Ann Krentzs' books. Did not see WITCHCRAFT. I looked at the four latest ones and will be posting a blurb about them soon so we can make a choice.

Just as we started discussing SILENT HONOR, I noticed there were several books with the internment subject that were coming out at the same time, it seemed. Also a movie. I made a note about it but thats lost in my pile of papers.

Pat, I have to ask. Are you STILL thinking?

Is this better?

That's BEAUTIFUL! hahahaha

Ginny

Shirley, makes no difference to me which book we read. I looked around lightly and I don't seem to have the book WITCHCRAFT in the house any more. Several of us here in town are avid readers and we pass the books around. Please though let me know what will be next. In the mean time I am reading Scott Peck's A ROAD LESS TREAVELED, Lynn V. Andrews, FLIGHT OF THE SEVENTH MOON and DANCE TO THE PIPER by Nora Roberts. I know three books at once sounds crazy but the first two aren't the kind and I can get lost in and besides they require THOUGHT!!!!! So I read a chapter and let my mind rest. My daughter's girlfriend dropped off 6 romance books so that will keep me busy for a while.

I read a couple of books at a time, and for the same reasons. Right now my choices are Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, Will Durant's The Story of Civilization III: Caesar and Christ, and Sue Grafton's "I" is for Innocent". How's that for well-rounded reading? Sue

I also read more than one book at a time now. I try to keep a thin one that is easy to remember for the car. Then I take it places I am going to have to wait. The more complicated plots I try to keep at home. I have read Krentz's Dark Water but don't know where it is right now.

My family is always teasing me about reading several books at once. I am very glad to hear the rest of you do this too.

Sue, How do you like Harry Potter? I want to read these also, but I DID NOT want to have to buy them and am having no luck at getting them (quickly) from the library.

Jeannine, I bought the paperback version of Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone from my former school's book fair. I bought it initially to read to my former students, but I read it at home first just before Thanksgiving, took it to the beach with me and my 34 year old son also read and enjoyed it there. I've read the 2 latest from the local library. I'm not sure if many kids in this little town have even heard of Harry Potter. I am participating in the Harry Potter discussion here on SeniorNet and having lots of fun with it. Why not drop in and see what we're talking about? Sue

Very good, Pat.

I researched the last three or four books that she wrote but have a few things to do businesswise so it won't be til next week before I put the choices up. Keep on reading all those good books. I just started Chamber by John Grisham and want to get into Life's Our Century in Pictures. Santa brought that. Didn't want a lot of reading but did want something to remember the 1900's. Now to get a video of what went on across the world the night we all celebrated.

Sue, you mentioned a new Gone With the Wind. What do you mean by "new"? Do you mean "Scarlett"?

new copy, Shirley. I had somehow lost my first copy of GWTW. My son knew that it was one of my all-time favorites, so when he saw the paperback, he included it in my Christmas gifts. BTW, I first read GWTW one weekend when I was restricted to my bedroom (I don't remember why) when I was 12. So that weekend was a bust as far as discipline goes. I was in hog heaven! Sue

Thanks Sue, I think I will drop in on the Harry Potter discussion.

I use to love being restricted to my bedroom when I was a child also. All that reading time and no one bothering you......HEAVEN!

Here are the choices for Jayne Ann Krentz. EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Alexa, an expert in Art Deco, blew the whistle on an employer. Her reputation in tatters, she has no intention of sitting back but is out to rebuild her career as she secretly consults on an exquiste deco collection being installed at the new Avalon Resorts. Her scheme might just work if she can steer clear of the resort owner. This is the man who accused her stepfather of murder and he has vowed revenge. Their meeting is inevitable and their attraction is immediate.

FLASH From the start, the so called partners are suspicious of each others motives. They isagree about managment style, and they argue about employees. Enter a blackmailer. This sizzling thriller sparks a curious chemistry between a self made millionaire and a charmingly disorganized entrepreneur. They team up to corner a killer and find their unruly partnership has the power to set the night on fire.

SHARP EDGES He's a country boy. She's a museum director and she is feisty. His deceased wife was fragile and dependent on him. But he needs her help to regain a piece of stolen property from him former partner. Not only does she help him but tries to find a former friend reportedly lost at sea. How do they manage to fall in love?

DEEP WATERS This story combines suspense and romance that originates in Seattle and heads into a quaint seacoast town where a mysterious Pacific Rim consultant and a burned-out woman CEO become sparring partners on a fishing pier crammed with secrets, danger, and hidden treasures.

You listed four book right? Sharp Edges sparked no interest for me. of the other three, all of which sound ok to me, my voting order would be #1)Flash #2, Deep Water and #3 Eye of the Beholder. Now let me see which ones I can dig up from our very small community library.

I thought I already posted my request but I don't see it. I have already read "Deep Water." I would put the others in the following order: SHARP EDGES, FLASH, and EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

Deep Waters, so I'd vote for Sharp Edges first, then Eye of the Beholder. However, I'm willing to reread the others, too. Sue

Good to see you all voting already. I've asked Pat Westerdale to send a notice to the bookies that we are voting on a new romance book so will wait til she does that and see what happens. Heard a commercial the other day that Eye of the Beholder is a movie that will open in my city Jan 28th. It stars Ashley Judd.

Hi all-- As a new contributor to this site I'll just add that most of Jayne Ann Krentz's books are worth the read. Although I'll have to admit I was slightly disappointed with her latest--Soft Focus. May I also suggest Perfect Partners? Her wit and feisty protagonists make her books enjoyable escape fiction. The discussion sounds like fun. I missed seeing the date on it?? Marj

Marj, good to see you here. We have not set a date yet as we haven't chosen the book. Should know within a week so keep an eye out. I hope we can get a new site for the new discussion but that all comes in due time. I didn't put Perfect Partners on the list as it was not available at my library. Also, I wanted the choices to be her recent books so they are available to all our readers. Some live in small towns and don't have the greatest choices such as bigger cities offer. I notice that you have webtv. Be sure to look in the index for computers and you will find webtv has its own discussion. See you there?

Well, it doesn't look like anyone else is going to speak up so it looks like EYE OF THE BEHOLDER will be the book we read and discuss. Shall we start on Jan 26th? I'll let the powers that be know about our new discussion so keep an eye out for the new location. Now to get the book and start reading it. Enjoy.

Ok, Eye of the Beholder is the book? I am going to look around and see if one of the area library's has it. I may get it and join in but I really liked the movie The Green Mile and am thinking about getting the book and joining in over there. I have posted a few comments just from what I saw in the movie. If I decide not to join in please let me know what the next book is. I really enjoyed discussing Silent Honor with everyone and would like to join you all again very soon.

Jeanine

Shirley. They have ordered a new book by Krentz, but it hasn't arrived. The librarian couldn't recall if it is The Eye of the Beholder, but if it doesn't get here I will buy a paperback copy. Sue

Sue, don't be in a hurry to buy the book. We need three people before we can start a discussion and Jeanine isn't sure if she wants to join us. I'll get one from the library tomorrow, but we will have to wait and see who else joins us.

Hello! I am sorry I didn't realize you were ready to start reading. I have been into The Green Mile folder and while I thought the movie was powerful and I really wanted to buy the book after listening to everyone there talking I don't think I want to read Stephen King's graphic description of the excutions. Now give me a couple days to see if I can come up with a copy of Eye of the Beholder from the library. I promise I will get back to you. (I wrote myself a note and put it in the Danielle Steele book (Mirror Images) I am reading right now!)

OK I called the libraries. Our Apollo library has 5 of Krentz's books. Eye of the Beholder is not one of them. The Lower Burrell library has it. It is a 7 day book and on the reserve list. So it will be a week or two before I can get it. Ladies I am sorry to say I don't think I want to buy it. I have two boxes of books at home waiting for me to read them. If I can get the book sooner I will let you know.

Jeanine

Just want you to know I am around but have been too busy dealing with my mother's illness and death and all that entails to get into reading anything. I will be home now for almost 2 weeks and then I leave on a trip to Southern Texas and Mexico. I will be back, but am too busy right now.

Northern Joan

I just ordered Eye of the Beholder from Borders.com. I was trying to get a copy on eBay -- I get books cheaper that way. I got a Flash and Sharp Edges on eBay ($2.00 for both). I decided to have them shipped priority since the price was so good. We must have picked the best of the books though because the bids for Eye are more than I have to pay on Borders.

It will take about a week for me to get the book. I will be here to discuss it.

I have never shopped at e-bay. How did you get started? Do you see lots of sale books there? Thanks, Sue

Northern Joan, so sorry to hear of your great loss!

Love, Ginny

Marjorie, my hubby shops at e-bay all the time. I just bought my first item from someone at e-bay and am waiting for it to be delivered. Actually hubby said last night that he thinks it should be here by now. I ordered a book. Send the person their money order on January 7th but have not received my book.

I have my name on reserve at the library for Eye of the Beholder. I just don't know how long this will take.

Jeanine

JEANINE: I the book was shipped book rate, it could take 3 weeks to get to you depending on where it was shipped and where you live.

SUE: www.ebay.com is the home page for eBay. There are lots of categories. You can go to Books and use the search box. Put in either a title or author's name, check 'this category' and 'description', if you like, and you will get a list of what is available. You have to register with them to bid. Good luck!

Joan, I too am so sorry to hear of your mothers' passing. My prayers for both of you. I'm sure you were prepared for this considering her age, but that doesn't make it any easier. Sorry that you are unable to join us but I'm sure you will be back at some time and will check us out. Have a good trip.

OK, Sue, as you can see, we have enough to have a discussion so get the book in whatever manner you want. I'll make arrangements for a new discussion location so keep your eyes open, everyone. If necessary, we can put the starting date back another week. I'll check with all of you later on this point. I'm just so happy to have such a good group here. Is everyone snowed in? Good time for reading!

Jeanine, your librarian should be able to tell you how many copies they have of the book and how many are on the reserve list ahead of you.

This is an edit - I will change the starting date to Jan 31st. No need to stampede now.

We have a new home and it can be found listed under coming attractions. It's a lovely place. Moving in right now.

I went to Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble to check out the cost of the paperback. To my surprise, at Amazon, there were quite a few negative reader reviews of Eye of the Beholder. However, there were several readers, mostly new Krentz readers, who said it was the best book they'd read recently. I hope they are correct, because I like it better when we all enjoy the selected book. I'm looking forward to reading it with you guys. Love, Sue

Hi all I just looked through all my Jayne Ann Krentz books and would you believe Eye of the Beholder is one I don't have? But I'll find one---somewhere, as I want to join in. I know I've read it but I'll have to refresh my fading memory. Hope you're all staying warm. Curling up with a good book always helps keep out the cold, right? Ha..Marj

Hey, guys, we moved! Our new place is in coming attractions. Check it out.Oh I know. You like the old neighborhood.