The Yokota Officers Club

By: Sarah Bird

Narrated by: Carine Montbertrand

Sarah Bird authors brilliant, introspective novels of bittersweet reminiscence tempered with humor. The Yokota Officers Club is a tale both courageous and touching - a journey of the heart that speaks volumes of the transient, isolated lifestyle of military families. Having grown up at the Yokota Air Base in Japan, and having moved six times in the last eight years, Bernadette "Bernie" Root and her five siblings are quintessential military brats. It’s 1968, and 18-year-old Bernie is returning to the regimented life at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa after her first year away at college. Although her attitudes toward the military have changed, Bernie is beginning to realize the intense bonds she shares with her unusual family.

©2001 Sarah Bird (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Stories nestle inside stories like a set of Russian dolls in Bird's wonderful fifth novel....Bird has David Sedaris's gift for mining scathing wit from family dysfunction." ( Publishers Weekly)

Good story ok narration

Couldn't get down with the narrator. Incorrect pronunciation of places where the characters lived just doesn't sit right with me. As I am half Japanese some of this feeling comes from bias and a much higher expectation for correctnes, but overall I just couldn't connect with her. The voices just didn't seem to fit. Love the story.

Great read

My family lived in Okinawa when my father was in the USAF. This story really resonated with me. It was beautifully told!

Great story

Ms. Bird again depicts the complexities facing families of our servicemen as well as the aftermath of war on the ones conquered.

If you've been there, you understand.

What did you like best about The Yokota Officers Club? What did you like least?

I liked the author's clear understanding of a very unique life and culture; however, her writing assumed all her readers would have the experience to understand the lifestyle. I think she missed an opportunity to be even more descriptive.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I wanted more!! What happens next. What about the other characters - LaRue, etc.

Have you listened to any of Carine Montbertrand’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/a

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes. I actually think it would make a good movie because what's missing in descriptions in the book could be better portrayed in a movie.

good book

really good listen. brought me back to childhood with four siblings. Sarah Bird does an excellent job capturing what it's like to be a sibling.