During my reading I have met many heroes who I fell in love with. There are those who fight for their love with every obstacle to win her. There are those who are funny and friendly. But, a special place in my heart I have for very rare heroes. These men love through and through. Their love isn't demanding, it is pure. They want what is the best for their sweethearts. So, when they think that they aren't what their beloveds deserve, they would stay out of the way. It is hard to explain to someone who don't know what I mean. 
 This kind of a man is Joe Harman and every time I have read about him in this book I kept before my eyes Captain Jack Elliot from These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901. The stories of these books take place in different times and places but these men are much similar in the way I have described above. Perhaps, I will forget many heroes who I loved but I will never forget Captain Jack Elliot nor Joe Harman. 
 Despite of what I have written by now, this book isn't a romance. Yes, there is a love story and it is one of significant parts of the book but there is much more. 
 It is a great historical fiction. The action takes places in three countries (three continents): UK, Malaya and Australia. You can split the novel into two parts. One which describes events in Malaya during IIWW, the second in Australia after IIWW. The events which take place in UK are through the whole book, mostly because a narrator lives there. I have learned very much on one hand about Japanese invasion of Asian islands during IIWW, on the other hand about history of Australia. I knew very little about both facts. 
 Furthermore, the story of Jean Paget is the story about courage, survival, destiny. About being a human, the development of the places (towns), people needs. Or you could say it is simple about human life. 
 It is touching, engaging, powerful, remarkable and memorable.