A review by mrsfishreads
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a tough read.  I think what I wanted is it to flow better, for the POV to stay the same.  There were times I didn't know whose point of view it was coming from..  the mother, the daughter, a stranger?  Beyond the writing, the story was heartfelt and heartbreaking.  The evacuating of Japanese- Americans during WWII was an absolute crime.   One America has never really paid for.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, War, and Deportation

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, War, and Deportation