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toniclark's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved the story, the writing AND the terrific narration (Audible audio edition). I may well listen to this one again. (I lived on Okinawa for a year when I was 22 — decades ago! — and loved revisiting the island, its people, language, and culture.
violentdelights's review against another edition
This book just sort of ran through me. Not sure if it’s because I listened to the audiobook or what but nothing stuck to me at all, and by the end the repetitive phrases got a little grating. It sort of felt like I was waiting for something to happen, some truth to uncover, but…nothing.
Maybe I’ll try again sans audiobook, but for now I feel like I’m dragging myself to the end.
Maybe I’ll try again sans audiobook, but for now I feel like I’m dragging myself to the end.
maum's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A super fun memoir. A lot of tragedy and sadness, but also a hopeful outlook on how people learn to deal with life. Also, generational trauma and the way the wars of the past still shape our interpersonal experiences today is super well written about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
mayaperkins's review against another edition
5.0
I may be biased being half Okinawan, but I went in with low expectations and ended up with a great 5 star read. I initially thought I wasn't going to resonate much with Brina's experience since she grew up in the states instead of Okinawa like I did, but I was actually surprised at some of the similarities. Especially about her parents, her mother in particular having to sacrifice her family and her life (but in her case, it was also an opportunity to escape from poverty) in Okinawa, made me think of how much my dad sacrificed (his family, a more convenient life, higher paying job in the U.S. etc.) to stay in Okinawa for my mother and my siblings and me. I also struggled with finding love and feeling accepted in my earlier years, and Brina's honesty is so refreshing and humble, I'm sure anyone that's ever felt insecure about themselves can easily relate to her writing. This is definitely a novel I would like to keep close and reread every now and then.
mi_not_chelle's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
ahnuhvecky's review against another edition
5.0
I feel as though this book speaks to me at the deepest level. I am a mixed child, Indo-Chinese mom with Italian dad. I grew up in very white northeast suburbia. I am an only child daughter. And oddly enough I went to college near where she grew up in upstate New York, so so many things were familiar all across the board. I experienced so many things she experienced. I felt the way she felt, about herself, about her relationships with her parents, about her “place in the world,” it felt like so much of this book articulated my thoughts and feelings better than I ever could. I resonate with her rebellion, her initial dislike, her slowly developing need to reclaim a part of herself that she felt she never had ownership over to begin with.
Additionally, the amount of information regarding the history of Okinawa and Okinawans is so beneficial and something I doubt I would have ever learned outside of this book. I loved this memoir. It’s real, raw, flawed, and especially touching. I’ve never read something so reflective of my unique experience.
Additionally, the amount of information regarding the history of Okinawa and Okinawans is so beneficial and something I doubt I would have ever learned outside of this book. I loved this memoir. It’s real, raw, flawed, and especially touching. I’ve never read something so reflective of my unique experience.