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A review by lezreadalot
No-No Boy by John Okada
4.0
Why is it that, in my freedom, I feel more imprisoned in the wrongness of myself and the thing I did than when I was in prison?
A really complex and compelling novel about a young Japanese-American man trying to negotiate his re-entry into society after being imprisoned for refusimg to serve in WWII, and also refusing to pledge allegiance to America. A no-no boy. There are different reactions within and without his community; his proud mother who was the propelling force behind his decision, his bitter and angry little brother, another no-no boy, other Japanese-Americans who did serve and returned, maimed and unscathed both. There's a lot of striking language and observations about race, class, the yearning to be American in an America that despises you, all while Ichiro grapples with his decision, whether or not he regrets it, and what it means for him to have to live with that choice. It's a very feelingly written book. It lost me a couple times; had a tendency to sort of meander after itself sometimes, and the writing could have used a polish. But it was definitely a really insightful read, with some really great passages about identity and anger and family. Enjoyed it a good deal.
A really complex and compelling novel about a young Japanese-American man trying to negotiate his re-entry into society after being imprisoned for refusimg to serve in WWII, and also refusing to pledge allegiance to America. A no-no boy. There are different reactions within and without his community; his proud mother who was the propelling force behind his decision, his bitter and angry little brother, another no-no boy, other Japanese-Americans who did serve and returned, maimed and unscathed both. There's a lot of striking language and observations about race, class, the yearning to be American in an America that despises you, all while Ichiro grapples with his decision, whether or not he regrets it, and what it means for him to have to live with that choice. It's a very feelingly written book. It lost me a couple times; had a tendency to sort of meander after itself sometimes, and the writing could have used a polish. But it was definitely a really insightful read, with some really great passages about identity and anger and family. Enjoyed it a good deal.