leigh_reidelberger's review against another edition
2.0
While trying to decide on a new book to read, I noticed my husband had this on his Kindle. I was curious about the title and decided to give it a go.
Farewell to Manzanar reminded me a bit of Night (Elie Weisel)- a child’s memory of a terrible event. Farewell is has a feel to it that suggests it was written by a child, not by an adult remembering events past.
I didn’t dislike the book, but I didn’t particularly care for it either. I see the importance of children in grade school/junior high reading it- there isn’t enough about Japanese interment camps in our education system that children can be exposed to. Often times, it’s glossed over and I don’t think the full impact is absorbed.
During the time frame of this book, with the lack of social media and instant connection to the outside world, I can see how it would be easy to succumb to a life such as the one described in the book- especially as a child. It could be easy to forget what life was like before forced imprisonment. The conditions of the camp seemed to be tolerable- schools, choirs, dance lessons, hospitals. I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t what was laid out for me.
It hurts me to know our government did this to a people. It’s important this book is read and does receive recognition. History does not have to repeat itself.
Farewell to Manzanar reminded me a bit of Night (Elie Weisel)- a child’s memory of a terrible event. Farewell is has a feel to it that suggests it was written by a child, not by an adult remembering events past.
I didn’t dislike the book, but I didn’t particularly care for it either. I see the importance of children in grade school/junior high reading it- there isn’t enough about Japanese interment camps in our education system that children can be exposed to. Often times, it’s glossed over and I don’t think the full impact is absorbed.
During the time frame of this book, with the lack of social media and instant connection to the outside world, I can see how it would be easy to succumb to a life such as the one described in the book- especially as a child. It could be easy to forget what life was like before forced imprisonment. The conditions of the camp seemed to be tolerable- schools, choirs, dance lessons, hospitals. I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t what was laid out for me.
It hurts me to know our government did this to a people. It’s important this book is read and does receive recognition. History does not have to repeat itself.
amymck05's review against another edition
3.0
I'll be reading this with my 7th graders next quarter.
iteechesinglish's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
Read this in one shot, it was a worthwhile read. A personal recollection of the relocation of Japanese-Americans to internment camps during World War II. It was an interesting window into the time and a sad recollection of the conditions that people were forced into without cause and only on account of their race. The section detailing the loyalty test made me wonder how our government could have been so idiotic, and the fact that so many people shrugged off such a violation of the human rights of fellow citizens because of the war gave me pause. Also eye-opening to me was the blatantly racist treatment of the author after they were released: not being allowed to join things like the Girl Scouts or represent her school because of her race!? It seems bizarre in this day in age. In the past I've seen exhibits about Japanese-American internment, but it was helpful to actually read someone's story.
bookworm_vevans's review against another edition
4.0
Good, light easy read for such a serious topic. Loved this perspective.
whitecat5000's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
If this was the first Japanese Internment Camp memoir I read, maybe I would feel more strongly about it. But it was a bit meh.
notriverphoenix's review against another edition
4.0
surprisingly this is a school book that I actually liked. wow. that's a first. It's the same plot line as a book that I read outside of school called Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude- the only difference is that Farewell to Manzanar was based on the author's childhood and TWW was historical fiction
coralma's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
icedlemonade's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, War, Violence, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
erika_reynolds20's review against another edition
3.0
The Japanese internment camps are not something that I know much about. The history of these camps is glazed over in American history, so I’m glad I took the time to learn about this topic. I like how the book provides some brief background about Wakatsuki Houston’s life before her family was forced into Manzanar, then details in more depth her experience in the camp and trying to adjust back into society when the family left. The author was quite young when she went to the camp, so she primarily focuses on how it affected her parents. She paints a harrowing picture of how negatively it impacted her father, turning him into an alcoholic and abusive man whom she lost all respect for. Wakatsuki Houston’s writing is very matter-of-fact; it isn’t particularly pretty or lyrical, but I don’t think that was her intention anyway. Ultimately, this is an important book about feeling torn between two cultures and wanting so desperately to understand why the tension exists in the first place. I do feel like there are some chapters that are very surface level due to how young she was when she experienced this traumatic event, but it’s a good read.