lily0's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
124smilehd's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
An informative book on the Japanese perspective during the internment camps of WW 2. It gives an empathetic story of how victims experienced violence before, during, and after the actual encampment.
Even though it was an insightful story I wasn't a huge fan of the storytelling methods, none of the characters have names and instead are just called "the woman" or "the girl". I understand that this was probably a way to reflect the dehumanization that the victims faced in real life, but as a story, it weakened it for me.
Even though it was an insightful story I wasn't a huge fan of the storytelling methods, none of the characters have names and instead are just called "the woman" or "the girl". I understand that this was probably a way to reflect the dehumanization that the victims faced in real life, but as a story, it weakened it for me.
beauytoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the last chapter was so good
sophiie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
livrad's review against another edition
5.0
This poignant story of Japanese internment is told if five parts, each from the perspective of a different family member. Getting the evacuation notice/train ride to the camp/living in a camp/the return home/the father after returning from a military prison. This book covers the return home better than other internment books I’ve read, and the father’s section at the end is pure powerful poetry. I wish I could quote the whole section here.
CW: a dog is killed
CW: a dog is killed
mimic3's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bub_9's review against another edition
4.0
A novel narrative approach to a disgraceful moment in American history. Rather than engaging in anything overwrought or even overtly emotional, it's written in a very crisp style that puts one in mind of a documentary film, or even noir (for some reason, perhaps an over-association with the temporal circumstances, I am put in mind of black-and-white film when reading this).
Anyway, it's also rather enjoyable because I think there is more power in the chapters after the return and reintegration than what would have been the more obvious choice of the internment itself. Ultimately well-written, rather granitic (not in the emotional sense but only that it feels very chiseled away to remove excess), and certainly meaningful.
Anyway, it's also rather enjoyable because I think there is more power in the chapters after the return and reintegration than what would have been the more obvious choice of the internment itself. Ultimately well-written, rather granitic (not in the emotional sense but only that it feels very chiseled away to remove excess), and certainly meaningful.
cs4_0reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.25
nanikeeva's review against another edition
3.0
a great book dealing with an often-overlooked period of American history. the writing does feel a bit aloof/distant, rather than conveying actions/feelings directly - definitely more show than tell. very effectively portrays the disarray and even the mundane horrors/destabilization of internment camps.