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maryanninutah 's review for:
How to Be an American Housewife
by Margaret Dilloway
Reeling from the aftermath of World War II, Shoko, a young, single Japanese woman, has a big decision to make and a small window of time in which to make it. She opts to marry an American GI and embraces her new life in the U.S. Together, she and her husband build a life and raise a family, but the jarring dissonance of divergent cultures is ever present. Shoko struggles with prejudice, differing values, and balancing submission with her innate determination. She's also challenged by her adopted language and persistent condescension from Americans: A person who struggles to express herself must not be too bright, right? Shoko carries a burden; a desire to return to her homeland to repair a family rift. Shoko's story is powerful, but loses momentum as the story shifts to her daughter and granddaughter. The novel wraps up a little too neatly and easily from its earlier, more rich and complex beginnings. Still, I found myself rooting for the characters and hoping for a happy outcome.