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A review by sofiadanielle
Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir by Elizabeth Miki Brina
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Ah, a lot to unpack in this book from the relationship a mixed child has with their two cultures, the feeling of being ‘othered’ for not being White, the rocky relationship of an immigrant mother with her daughter, the history of Okinawa…
It’s a bit heavy, I won’t lie. I saw some of my my own habits, thoughts, emotions, all laid out in front of me in this book, as a first generation Asian child born in America. I saw my mother and I in Elizabeth and her mother, even when I wish I couldn’t. I understand her emotions, why she went through some of the situations she did, when you just want to say: well, why would you ever do that?
Beautiful read. I find the second half to be more moving. I hope to find peace with my mother in the way Brina managed, too.
It’s a bit heavy, I won’t lie. I saw some of my my own habits, thoughts, emotions, all laid out in front of me in this book, as a first generation Asian child born in America. I saw my mother and I in Elizabeth and her mother, even when I wish I couldn’t. I understand her emotions, why she went through some of the situations she did, when you just want to say: well, why would you ever do that?
Beautiful read. I find the second half to be more moving. I hope to find peace with my mother in the way Brina managed, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, and War