Anatahan

Merriam Press Historical Fiction 6. Fourth Edition (March 2012). Anatahan is one of the more important and most unusual books to come out of Japanese history in English translation. The story is a fact-bearing, non-fiction version that highlights the trials and tribulations of life on a deserted island, while a major war rages throughout the surrounding area. The scene is set on a tiny, volcanic island, five miles long and two miles wide, centered in the Marianas approximately 63 miles north of Saipan. Having mountainous peaks rising over 2,000 feet; a shoreline measuring approximately 15 miles; and thick, lush green jungle too dense to penetrate without a proper blade; Anatahan offers a varied complexion suitable to challenge the most adventurous spirit. The island was populated with a few natives and two Japanese couples assigned by the Japanese Development Company to oversee the island's coconut plantation and copra crop. World War II invades the tranquil nature of Anatahan when four small Japanese ships are bombed off its coast and 32 survivors make it to Anatahan's shore-at which time the only Japanese living on the island is the wife of one couple and the husband of the other. Yoko Hibi is an attractive girl of 21 years and her presence presents numerous problems among the survivors, however, the attention she receives is overwhelming to her and she frequently succumbs to the advances of the men. You might say she becomes very promiscuous in her attempts to satisfy their lust. Yoko Hibi is an important part of the Anatahan story, but there is much more to consider and this story brings out the animalistic nature of some of those stranded, as well as the thoughtful and caring times when these people needed one another in order to survive. The book describes the distrust when outsiders attempted to convince those on Anatahan that the war really was over, and it details the creative natures of many who recreated life's necessities. As you read this unimaginable version of an unbelievable tale of the fate of the Anatahan few, place yourself in a similar situation and the Anatahan story will become even more real. The characters are true, the island does exist, and our facts were carefully checked for accuracy. * 2 photos * 5 illustrations * 2 maps.