The Chinese Widow

The Chinese Widow by Wilson Hurley is a stunning novel about a young pilot stationed in the South Pacific who struggles to survive after his plane crashes in Borneo. Based on the author's own experiences as a rescue pilot, The Chinese Widow delves into the heart and mind of Lieutenant James Westland, whose assignment with the 13th Air Force turns into a lifetime when his plane is downed in the jungle. Despite his struggle to stay alive, he sees a new beauty and peace in the world, maturing even as he faces death. Gorgeously written and beautifully told, the book is filled with a stirring authenticity. Hurley spent more than a year with a crew of six on a Catalina Flying Boat locating crashed military aircraft and retrieving the remains of the crew.