emma_eng's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
- liked the audiobook! Liked use of we/us/they/them
- Distinct stories that blend/blur together
chiccodiriso16's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
cereeseb's review against another edition
4.0
I think Julie Otsuka does an amazing job in this Novella in describing some of the hardships, challenges and injustices that Japanese women faced in the first half of the 20th century.
The poem-like writing is able to express emotions very well and Otsuka does not shy away from taboo or strikingly tough realities that these women had to face.
These women were treated like the property of their husbands as well as outsiders by the larger community. Jim Crow/racist laws kept them from better jobs, education and opportunities. They worked very hard for very little and some continued to hope for a better future.
The last chunk of the book focuses on the little-discussed Japanese internment camps that are still a huge injustice that many Americans today ignore/are ignorant about. I know in high school it was a tiny paragraph in the history book but never spoken about or given much though to.
I thought it was striking how Otsuka uses words from a speech by Donald Rumsfeld in 2001 as a speech from the mayor in World War Two. The connection shows how history repeats itself and if an injustice is ignored how it will happen again. It highlights how anti-racism and change is needed to prevent this from happening in the future.
critiques-
The plurality takes away from individual stories sometimes
Some of the more complex topics aren't examined closely. The narrative sort of skims across it. But the novella is a good jumping-off point because there's so many references recommended at the end.
I could totally see this as a high school sociology/english class reading because the lack of depth does give more opportunity for discussion and the short length would help for short class periods/a busy syllabi to work through.
Overall I think this is a thought-provoking, quick read for anyone that will help expand their worldview. I think it would be an especially good book for a young adult/mature teenager to read as a jumping off point to more complex books.
The poem-like writing is able to express emotions very well and Otsuka does not shy away from taboo or strikingly tough realities that these women had to face.
These women were treated like the property of their husbands as well as outsiders by the larger community. Jim Crow/racist laws kept them from better jobs, education and opportunities. They worked very hard for very little and some continued to hope for a better future.
The last chunk of the book focuses on the little-discussed Japanese internment camps that are still a huge injustice that many Americans today ignore/are ignorant about. I know in high school it was a tiny paragraph in the history book but never spoken about or given much though to.
I thought it was striking how Otsuka uses words from a speech by Donald Rumsfeld in 2001 as a speech from the mayor in World War Two. The connection shows how history repeats itself and if an injustice is ignored how it will happen again. It highlights how anti-racism and change is needed to prevent this from happening in the future.
critiques-
The plurality takes away from individual stories sometimes
Some of the more complex topics aren't examined closely. The narrative sort of skims across it. But the novella is a good jumping-off point because there's so many references recommended at the end.
I could totally see this as a high school sociology/english class reading because the lack of depth does give more opportunity for discussion and the short length would help for short class periods/a busy syllabi to work through.
Overall I think this is a thought-provoking, quick read for anyone that will help expand their worldview. I think it would be an especially good book for a young adult/mature teenager to read as a jumping off point to more complex books.
dykeposting's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
roropon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ekatayama's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
annalieegk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
shea56's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kempfme's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anniew415's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written! Full of wonderful voices and exceptional details. A wonderful bookend (in a way) to Maxine Hong Kingston's "The Woman Warrior" from 1975. A fantastic addition to the canon of "California" literature too - exploring an all but forgotten aspect of the state's cultural history.
Enjoyable, quick read, but one that I'm certain will stay with me for a very long time.
Enjoyable, quick read, but one that I'm certain will stay with me for a very long time.