I was unaware of the Dutch internment camps in Java until this book. The story of the Vischer family is one of courage, faith and human kindness in the face of unspeakable horror and conditions. This book proves that we can choose our attitudes and actions even in the most dire of circumstances. I loved the family dynamic and the close relationships of the children. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Fast-paced, but interspersed with lyrical prose, this was a very compelling read! The changing narrative voices offer multiple perspectives of the same events, making this novel one of the most enjoyable reads this year! I’ve mostly read colonial/postcolonial fiction in which the ‘victims’ are the locals and, even then, it has been mostly fiction set in the Commonwealth region. So this gave me fresh perspective on the (Dutch) coloniser as ‘victim’.

Structurally, both the adult and childrens’ voices are captured well. However, in a couple of instances when Rita is narrating the story, the thinking and insights offered are quite unrealistic given that the narrator is 5 or 7-year-old child at the time. It would have been better suited to the insight if the voice had been an adult’s at these junctures, perhaps with a brief narrative from the child’s perspective at these points in the story.. But barring these these few instances, I enjoyed Rita’s narrative, as well as her mother’s narrative, the best!

Heather B Moore has written a beautiful World War II era novel in her newest release, Under the Java Moon. I loved it and highly recommend it for reader who enjoy historical fiction. Five stars.

"ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴅᴏᴢᴇɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴡᴀʀ ɪɪ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ, ɪ ʜᴀᴅɴ'ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴜᴛᴄʜ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ'ꜱ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ɪɴᴅᴏɴᴇꜱɪᴀ".
This is how the author Heather B. Moore describes her interest in writing the story of Marie 'Rita' Vischer and her family of Dutch colonisers and military employers who live on Java island during the outbreak of WWII. It's the story of the brutality of the Japanese invasion, and how the colonisers become hunted and put into POW-camps of deplorable conditions. It's a fairly simple and straightforward narration, told in alternate POVs from the family, that leaves nothing out and guides the reader through all events.

There is so much to unpack. At the end of the book, there are excellent notes and study questions break down the events and reflect about them. All this makes the book suitable for readers new to historical fiction. While the content is heavy, the violence isn't too hard to read about I think, and rape is only alluded to. It's an eye-opening read about the World-aspect of the World War for those who don't know much about it.

The book is meticulously researched - except for one point. Several times in the story, the main characters describes how their wounds had become septic and they were in need of antibiotics. However, while the first antibiotics were discovered as early as the 19th century, penicillin wasn't manufactured and brought to the marked until after 1945. It was actually one of the main reason the war ended, since there had simply been too much loss of military personnel. This faulty research annoyed me enough to almost give the book three stars, but everything else is correct, so I relented.

Since the book is based on memories from a child, certain aspects are maybe not gone into with that much depth, like the native uprising after the war ended. Still, it's a good book that I recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eArc.

Beautiful story about a side of the war I hadn’t heard much about before. Thank you to the publisher for the review copy, all opinions are my own

Another side of the WW2 experience that I knew little about. Lots of information at the end of the book as well as notes for each chapter. The story revolves around a Dutch family, the Vischers. They become separated when the Japanese arrive in the Dutch East Indies. Women and children are sent to prison camps separate from the men. It was heartbreaking to read about the impact of war on Indonesia and the cruelty and horrible conditions suffered. Very well-researched. Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read this devasting account. My opinions are my own.

Based on the life of a young Dutch mother, her children and her mother who are held in a Japanese prisoner camp in Indonesia during WWII. The author has done extensive research and melded together stories from other survivors with the actual story of the Vischer family. The father is given orders to crew with a mine sweeper and get to Australia before the Japanese take over Java. His story is told in parallel to the women’s story. A fascinating and difficult read, one that was hard to put down. Brings the history of this place and time to all too vivid life. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a preview copy.

A true eye opener for me. I knew nothing about the Japanese occupation of Java Island, in Indonesia, during WWII and the imprisonment of the Dutch in internment camps. The descriptions of the living conditions, within these internment camps, are visceral. Heather Moore’s writing is excellent. The story is riveting. The explanations of each chapter at the end of the book, are a wonderful re-cap. Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #UnderTheJavaMoon, # ShadowMountainPubslishing, #NetGalley.

This book is based on a true story. It is a little-known part of World War 2 history. It explores what happened to the Dutch people living in the Dutch colonies in Indonesia before and during the Japanese invasion in WW2. It specifically takes place on the island of Java. The story follows a Dutch family that is split up and imprisoned when the Japanese take over the island. George Vischer, the father, leaves with the military right before the invasion, but his ship is sunk by the Japanese. He and the other survivors must persevere through exposure, starvation, injury, and betrayal. Mary, the mother, is pregnant. She, their two children, and her own mother are imprisoned in a POW camp on the island. The captivity and separation lasts for 3 years. Thankfully most of the family was together in the camp, but they had no idea where or if their husband and father was alive. It is hard to imagine living like they did. They were starved almost to death, beaten, mentally tortured, and suffered from disease and injury with barely any medical care. I appreciate that it was noted that not all of their Japanese captors were evil. There were kind soldiers just trying to follow their orders and sadistic ones. The kind ones gave me hope for humanity. Honestly, I thought the Japanese soldiers as a whole ended up being more honorable than the natives of Java. After the war was over the Javans were killing the remaining Dutch survivors indiscriminately. The Japanese were trying to protect the Dutch. Yes, they were ordered to, but I have to think it was more than just duty driving them. It is said that in war there are no winners.
This was not an easy or enjoyable read. Most of the story was very sad which made it hard for me to get through it. But, the story was well-written and it needed to be told. I am glad I read it. The themes of family, compassion, and perseverance make the book hopeful despite the evil it portrays. I want to share stories like this with my children so they remember that we are all human beings and have value.

This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

WOW! ANOTHER great book by Heather B Moore.

I had never heard of the story of the Dutch in Indonesia during World War II. I was intrigued and dug right into the book.

Its very fast paced, wonderfully written, and although fiction, based on true events.

My heart went out to the people caught up in the war and what happened in the internment camps.

I thought that the author did a wonderful job of telling the story and blending it with the historical events.

Everyone wanting to know more about World War II in Asia should read this book.

Under the Java Moon is an amazing story. The Vischer family is just one example of what the Dutch people went through in Java during the war and after. They survived so many hardships and trials. There are other families who were there alongside the Vischer, whom we get to know and feel their losses and triumphs. These stories need to be told, so others can see what has happened and hopefully learn from them.

#Under the Java Moon
#Netgalley

I learned a lot from this historical fiction novel. Heather Moore, the author, did a fabulous job of writing this story. I liked at the end of the story the information Heather added by chapter. I highly recommend this novel.

Under the Java Moon by Heather Moore is based on the true story of an internment camp in the Dutch East Indies during WWII and the challenges one particular family faces in these dreadful and taxing circumstances that ultimately left thousands dead. When the Japanese invaded the Dutch East Indies, they were assigned to put all the Dutch, many of whom had been in Indonesia for at least four generations, in the camp. At the same time, the local Indonesians saw this as their opportunity to finally actively object to the Dutch occupiers.

The family that plays the greatest part in describing the horrible rigors of the camp is the Vischer family. Their poignant and tender story which is juxtaposed against the cruelties and illnesses in the camp details the family closeness and in particular, the leadership and resilience of the wife and mother, Mary. Mary has a daughter, Rita, known as Ita, her younger brother Georgie, and another son, Robbie, born in the camp. Mary's mother, Oma, also adds strength to the family unit although she does no survive the camp. There are a couple of other families, friends of the Vischers who are fictional and round out the picture of the camp. Eventually, George, the father, who tried unsuccessfully to escape to Australia to help fight the Japanese, ends up in the camp with his family toward the end of the war.

Mary's adamantine and inspirational ability to confront lack of food, deadly illnesses, and the utter cruelty of one Japanese Commandant keep her family together. The closeness they achieve in spite of depraved and disgusting conditions is remarkable.

Author Moore's excellent historical research and her interviews with members of the family are incisive. She details the pre-internment camp lives of the Dutch and then provides every necessary and even riveting detail of life in the camp. For those of us who had incomplete understanding of the Dutch East Indies conflict and then the Japanese invasion, this wonderful book gives detail and comprehensively explains the history of the Second World War in this part of the world.

"Under the Java Moon" is a compelling historical account written by Heather Moore, based on a true story. The book focuses on the experiences of the Vischer family and the larger Dutch community in Java during World War II. Java, known for its abundant natural resources and a discontented local population, became an easy target for the Japanese forces.

The story begins with the idyllic life of the Vischer family, but quickly transforms into a tale of survival. Bombings become a regular occurrence, and eventually, the Dutch authorities surrender to the Japanese. The Japanese command takes control and segregates the women and children into separate camps from the men. Mary, the main protagonist, finds herself alone and pregnant as her husband George is called to serve in the Navy.

The book delves into the challenges faced by the Vischer family and other families within the internment camp. It explores the daily lives of these women and children, highlighting the harsh realities and cruelties endured under Japanese rule. Each chapter opens with a tale from another survivor, providing additional perspectives and painting a gruesome picture of life in the camps.

However, as time passes, wounds begin to heal. The book ends on a more positive note, depicting the Vischer family's eventual liberation and their journey back to Holland. It highlights their resilience and the ability to rebuild their lives after the traumatic experience in the camps.

"Under the Java Moon" stands out from other books on the topic due to its inclusion of personal accounts from various survivors. These accounts further emphasize the unimaginable cruelty and challenges faced by those imprisoned in the internment camps. Despite the hardships depicted, the book ultimately offers hope and demonstrates the strength of the human spirit.

I love when I read a book and learn something new. I had no idea what this book was going to be about, other than that it was Historical Fiction. I also knew nothing about the Java islands or the hardships that the Dutch went through living there during WWII. It's such an important part of WWII history that is very little talked about. Under the Java Moon is a well-researched and well written novel based on the experiences of Marie Visher (Rita Visher; called Ita in much of the book) during the 3 years she and her family were prisoners of war in Tjideng after the NEI's surrendered to Japan in 1942.

"Each night as the moon rises, look up at it, and I'll do the same. Thinking of you and the children. Under the Java Moon." - George Vischer, Under the Java Moon by Heather B. Moore

The story is oftentimes gut-wrenching and made me sick to my stomach thinking and reading of the way these 'prisoners' were treated. It is so sad, and you can't even fully understand what it's like to live through something like that.

Rita (a very young child at the time) & her family showed so much courage in the face of starvation, abuse, torture, rampant disease, and death all around them. You really feel for them, and you begin to cheer with every victory they have, no matter how small. It's unfathomable the things they had to endure and how they continued to maintain hope that things would get better.

I loved how the characters all had different stories and experiences of their own throughout the war. Moore does a great job at capturing the thoughts and feelings of each character by switching the point of view for each chapter. You get a glimpse of what war was like at sea with George & Vos, as well as what it was like in the men's POW camps. Then, you get a peek into the horrible conditions of the women & children's POW camp that Mary, Rita, Oma, Georgie & Robbie are staying.

While this is a sad story and hard to read about, it's also a story about holding on to hope through all life's hardships. It is about perseverance, resilience, and courage beyond words. These women, children and men were so lucky to survive, and it's no wonder once their family was safe, no one ever spoke of the war again. I feel honored to have read Marie's story and glad that she decided to tell it after all these years. It is so important we know what happened and it is also important to know that "humanity would always rise about the rubble of lost dreams, hatred & prejudice. Ita and her family were living proof." - Heather B. Moore, Under the Java Moon

At the end of the book, there are Chapter Notes with some of Moore's research, which I thought was a great inclusion. I plan to look into some of the things that she had linked, especially the articles that George wrote about his war experiences.

The words that will stick well after reading this, are from Marie Vischer herself, written in the Afterword. "I learned that the human race is very resilient & adaptable, but life itself is fragile. We should not take it for granted." - Marie Vischer

The book was stunning to say the least.

Thank you NetGalley, Shadow Mountain, and Heather B. Moore for my ARC.

The was a good historical fiction book about the island of Java . It was a different WWII story that I enjoyed and learned from . .
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book

I like how the people in this story each go through the war in different ways it made the story more interesting. I like historical fiction books because sometimes they say true things that have happened it makes you feel like you are actually there with the people this book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

Most of us have heard the basics of war and some of us have even learned of even more of the greater details. But one can never fully understand what it was like to live through one unless you were there. However, Heather B Moore does a phenomenal job and comes pretty close. My heart was breaking for these people as I read about the camps and everything they were put through. I rejoiced and cheered with every victory they had and especially when the war was over. I have a greater understanding of the sorrow and he’ll one went through and how they must have lost all dignity and humanity in the cause of self preservation and the preservation of their children. I also have a greater understanding that they tried to maintain hope but they must have been forever haunted from their past, even though they overcame so much. This is such a beautifully written story, and is I highly recommend it.

This is the story of Marie (Rita) Vischer Elliott, and her 3.5 years of childhood spent in a prisoner of war camp while living in Indonesia (then known as Dutch East Indies) during World War II.

The story switches seamlessly back and forth as it is told from Marie's perspective and that of each of her parents. 
 
The island on which they lived was one of many that had come under Japanese occupation in March of 1942.  Marie and her mother, grandmother and younger brother were sent to an internment camp for women and young children.  Her father was captured weeks later and sent to a men's camp.

Marie's story focuses on life while living under extremely harsh conditions in Tjideng Camp, which housed 2600 internees at the beginning of the war, yet more than 10,300 lived there by the end of it.  The poor conditions included starvation, rampant disease, unjust punishments and the loss of freedom, all of which were exacerbated by a cruel camp supervisor, who was later convicted of war crimes.

The author weaves into the Vischer family's story the historical experiences of others at various camps during this time period.  There is a great amount of detail, resulting in a fascinating story. 
 
The end of the war did not end the hardships of the Dutch inhabitants of Indonesia as the Indonesians asserted and later obtained their independence from a long period of Dutch rule.  

Heather B. Moore has done an admirable job of background research to enable the reader to better understand this time period and what was occurring in this area of the world.

Additionally, Marie's father, George Vischer, wrote several articles about his war experiences, which were published in 1990.
  
The end of the book includes Chapter Notes, links to relevant articles and a Bibliography. However, it is the Afterword from Marie (Rita) Vischer Elliott, dated August 1, 2022 that stays in my mind.  Marie kept quiet for many decades, but she did not forget what her family had endured.  I am glad to have been able to read her story.

This book was excellent.
  
Thank-you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, Netgalley.com and Heather B. Moore for providing me with a complimentary copy of Under the Java Moon in exchange for my unbiased review.

The amazing and emotional story of Dutch Civilians in Java and their experiences as prisoners of the Japanese. This is a must read for anyone interested in the Pacific War.