Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir by Elizabeth Miki Brina

4.24 AVERAGE

ama_cov's review

4.5
challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
The author does a great job of communicating her experiences and telling a story that helps you understand and empathize with everyone she talks about. Her style of writing is beautiful, especially in the historical chapters. Weaving in the historical context with her family story make it so much more powerful and make you wonder how many families share a similar story because of the actions of the us government. 100% recommend reading

mebell99's review

2.0
I wanted to like this book but with my understanding of Okinawa doesn't allow me. I am a Mexican-American who is a military dependent and have lived on the bases that Brina so largely condemns. Her memoir is well written and very compelling but uses broad strokes to paint an image. The image of American-Okinawan relations is not one that I believe is accurate. Her conclusion of the removal of American bases is based off of a historical culture that no longer exists. The American military that exists today is not the same as the one that existed in the past. The atrocious actions of military personnel in the past aren't something that can be dismissed but neither is the importance of the American military for the economic well-being of Okinawa.

I have spoken and befriended okinawans who do not agree with Brina. Any military base in a foreign country is bound to have difficulties but Okinawa is one of the more peaceful places to live in. I hope that whoever reads this book takes these additional facts into consideration.
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meals's review

5.0
inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

gills_2022's review

3.25
challenging informative reflective slow-paced
erica_mulatre's profile picture

erica_mulatre's review

4.5
At first I got lost in some of the history and names of things, but several pages later I couldn’t seem to put it down! I love the message behind the story as well. I saw ways I am similar to the author and how things changed when she made some different choices toward the people around her, I want that for me too!

allyreids's review against another edition

3.25
challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced
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boba_nbooks's review against another edition

5.0
challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced
I loved how this beautiful memoir took its genre to a new level by including some of the history of Okinawa amongst personal stories. It was a creative way to juxtapose her mother’s immigration journey with the past. 

This book also made me question American military presence in other countries like Okinawa. It seems to have caused more harm than good and continues to do so. 
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erynmcvay's review against another edition

4.0
challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

muslihah's review against another edition

3.75
challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

plainplantains's review

4.75
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad
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