A review by rldanson
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

3.0

This was an interesting, very well-written book; but it didn't ever grab me, I didn't love it. I thought the first person plural voice was a nice choice, and it made it possible to include so many different experiences in a compact, powerful way. It was also a little distancing, which made the painful parts--of which there were many--less personal, slightly less emotionally affecting. That was both a plus and a minus--with so many difficult stories being told, being more wrapped up in the emotion likely would have been overwhelming. But I think that's also why I didn't love the book: there was no personal connection, no real investment in any of the characters. Lots of empathy and melancholy, but nothing really personally engaging. Still, I'm glad I read it.