Three Came Home (book)
| Company type | Memoir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Founder | Agnes Newton Keith |
| Products | Book |
Three Came Home is a memoir published in 1947 by Agnes Newton Keith, detailing her personal experiences during the Japanese invasion of North Borneo. The narrative was adapted into a film released in 1950, featuring Claudette Colbert in the starring role, although Olivia de Havilland was originally cast as the lead. The initial American edition appeared through Little, Brown and Co. in March 1947, followed by a UK edition from Michael Joseph in 1948. Subsequent reissues were issued by Eland in 1985 and again in 2002.
Background
Prior to this work, Keith authored Land Below the Wind. Her spouse, Harry Keith, held the positions of Conservator of Forests and Director of Agriculture in North Borneo. Their son George was born in 1940. Following the Japanese invasion, the family was detained from January 1942 until September 1945. Agnes and George were confined within the women's and children's section of the Kuching Internment camp, where she suffered bouts of malaria and typhoid, whereas Harry was placed in the civilian male sub-camp.
Summary
Under severe hardship, women engaged in strenuous labor. Prior to a visit from a Lieutenant General, Commander Nekata commanded them to clear a plot previously occupied by rubber trees and to plant potato cuttings overnight. Although Nekata received a promotion after this event, the potato plants soon perished. Keith endured physical assault and torture inflicted by a guard, causing injuries. Aware of her status as an author, the Japanese occasionally provided her with additional food rations. Australian soldiers stationed nearby transmitted $50 to her through a priest; initially hesitant, the women accepted the funds and expressed their gratitude. Poor hygiene and insufficient nourishment led to widespread illness among the female internees. When Tatsuji Suga encountered Keith, he instructed her to compose The Life and Thoughts of an Internee, which she titled Captivity. She covertly recorded notes in minuscule handwriting on scraps of paper, concealing them within toys, pillows, mats, and tins.
Reception
W. G. Rogers characterized the memoir as "sometimes shocking and often inspiring." Laura Scott Meyers described it as "a detailed and unvarnished account" portraying wartime conditions for internees and prisoners of war. It was chosen as The Book of the Month Club's selection for April 1947. David Judy commended Keith's humor and highlighted how the book demonstrated "a truly successful marriage even in the worst circumstances." Joe Langston remarked on Keith's writing for its absence of animosity toward any group. According to Dorothy Canfield Fisher, reading it was akin to experiencing events firsthand rather than merely reading about them. Joyce Nienstedt stressed that it transcended a conventional war narrative. Louise Parks Banes deemed it "no more gallant story" ever penned, while The Gallup Independent regarded it as one of the most powerful war accounts published.