Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Summary
Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Overview

As the novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet begins, Henry Lee, a recent widower, is walking by the Panama Hotel in Seattle, Washington. While walking, Henry remembers his World War II childhood. Presently, the new owner of the hotel has found items in the basement that were stored by Japanese families. The items were left there when the U.S. government relocated the Japanese to concentration camps during the war. It was during that time that Henry met a Japanese girl in his class at school. Her name was Keiko Okabe. Both Henry and Keiko were ostracized by other students for their Asian heritage. Because of these shared experiences and the love of jazz, the two became friends. After the war, Henry and Keiko lost track of one another. It is now 1986. With the help of Marty, his adult son, Henry learns that Keiko is now a widow living in New York City. Marty buys his father a ticket, and a bittersweet reunion follows. In this coming of age story, author Jamie Ford includes themes on prejudice and blind obedience.