Three Came Home

By Agnes Newton Keith

Published in 1947, Keith tells the story of her family's captivity by the Japanese during World War Two.  She followed her husband, Harry, to Borneo just a few years before the war broke, and decided not to leave him even though it meant that she and her young son would be prisoners.

This book not only tells about the prisoners' deprivation and suffering, it also demonstrates what happens to a human being as a captive and as a captor.  Keith does not hate the Japanese; she understands that their actions are a result of the war.  There are some soldiers that are kind, and some that smuggle food to the children.  But then there are others who enjoy hurting and demoralizing their captives; they believe death is more honorable than captivity.

I had no idea that women and children were taken prisoner during the war.  Keith explains that shouldn't bear leaving her husband behind.  But Harry is sent to the mens camp, so it is up to Agnes to keep herself and her son George alive for over 2 years. 

Agnes is very realistic in her writing, without being too graphic - she doesn't paint herself as a saint.  One part that I thought rang true was when she said that the women she liked before, she grew to love.  The women she felt indifferent to, she grew to hate. And the things she thought were useless - fine clothes and makeup - were lifesavers.  She could trade her clothes for food, and makeup made her feel more human.  I found myself thinking, "What would I do in the same situation?"  Then hoped I would never have to face it.