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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
This book was slow for me and then gained momentum about 1/2 of the way through to create a powerful and surprising exploration of American identity, as it intersects with race and power. It struck me how unique the voice of the book is - it’s not written as an explainer for white America about the aftermath of internment. In fact, it deals very little with internment specifically. Instead it’s an examination of Asian American psyche and identity, with internment and the main character’s imprisonment as context and substitute for many power dynamics that exist to this day.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Outstanding, deserves a spot in the canon of post war American alienation along with Native Son and Rabbit Run.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: War
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Racial slurs, Suicide, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Car accident, Death of parent
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Incredible book, incredible read. Ponderings on race and being Japanese in America. Masculinity, war, hope, goodness in the world. Memory, forgetting. How do we keep going? How do we find hope?
My biggest bother was the portrayal of women, the way none of them are given a first-person perspective. The focus on their physical appearances.
My biggest bother was the portrayal of women, the way none of them are given a first-person perspective. The focus on their physical appearances.
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes