When the Emperor Was Divine
Julie Otsuka
2003
160 pages
Published by Anchor
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Here’s a little poem for the FTC: I bought this book for me, but it wasn’t easy, you see. I went to B&N, no dice. And Borders, prepared to pay full price. I had to order online, but I found a coupon, always a good sign. It took longer to find than to read, but it was worth it, yes indeed.
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Looking back, it’s hard to believe that this book is only 160 pages, because there’s a lot of story here.
It’s WWII, and a woman in Berkeley sees a notice on a store window. She returns home, packs up the house, gets rid of the animals, and prepares her young son and daughter for a journey.
When next we check in with the family, it’s from the perspective of the daughter. The family is on a train, guarded by soldiers, on their way to a internment camp in the desert. We learn they are Japanese, and are supposedly being escorted to a secure location for their own safety. The father was taken away by the government earlier, at night, in his robe and slippers.
Next it is the boy’s turn, and he shares what life is like in the camp, as well as his memories of his beloved father. We see his mother turn quiet and his sister a bit rebellious.
Then there is a change of voice, and a change of tone. The siblings talk about the family’s return home, to a house vandalized by squatters, and a neighborhood where they now feel like outsiders. Before the war they were an American family…now they are clearly Japanese, never mind that they’re American citizens.
And finally, we hear from the father, in a bitter, sarcastic tirade about what it feels like to be branded a traitor to a nation that you call your own.
Before she was a writer, Otsuka was a painter, and it shows in the details and scenes that she is able to evoke from a few carefully chosen words. Her language is descriptive, and the story she relates very personal. She brings a harsh period of history to life.
Oops, when I first saw your tweet abt this post, I thought we were going to be talking about The Emperor’s Children which I read YEARS ago. But. Different book! And this one sounds better. and is shorter.
Care´s last [type] ..New Books In the House
I read this a long time ago. I try to read anything I can on the camps. I have to admit that I didn’t like this book very much. I’m not sure why it didn’t resonate with me. I’m glad you liked it though. You wrote a really nice review of it as well!
Wow this sounds powerful. I don’t read a lot of WWII fiction, but this might be a good one to pick up.
I have been wanting to read this for the longest time, but haven’t gotten around to grabbing myself a copy yet. It sounds like a really interesting book, and one that would probably engross me. Thanks for the awesome review. Off to score my own copy!
zibilee´s last [type] ..SIBA Trade Show Weekend
This one sounds good. I am curious and horrified about this time in U.S. history and the only fiction I’ve read about the treatment of Japanese-Americans is “Snow Falling on Cedar” by David Guterson. Thanks for the review, Jill.
gavin´s last [type] ..Burning Bright by Ron Rash
I haven’t read this book, but I need to remedy that…I’m fascinated by this event in our history. This is now on the radar to pick up stat!
Loved your FTC poem!!
Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..Teaser Tuesday
I read this book for a book club discussion a few years ago in Seattle. Unfortunately, the book group was not very good. However, the book is fantastic! Here is a link to my review if you are interested:
http://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2009/2/21/when-the-emperor-was-divine.html
beastmomma´s last [type] ..Recharging Batteries
Sounds good, must try, thanks!
This sounds like a powerful book. I’m glad to see this part of our history being discussed more these days.
Great poem!
charley´s last [type] ..September Movies
Sounds like an interesting way to tell the story. I love when stories are broken up into different points of view like that.
And I continue to enjoy your FTC notices … they are the best in the blogosphere!
Jenners´s last [type] ..Up On The Roof
Oh wow this book sounds lovely. I need to find a copy too!
Amused´s last [type] ..Giveaway- 2 copies of Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss!
I love your poem to the FTC. Too funny! This sounds like a great book. I’ve never read a novel about the internment camps. I’ll have to add this to my list.
This one sounds really interesting! I’ve been craving historical fiction lately too.
nomadreader (Carrie)´s last [type] ..book review- Tinkers by Paul Harding
Thank you for bringing this one to my attention, Jill. It sounds like a very moving book, even as short as it is. This particular time period is of special interest to me and I’m always on the lookout for books about the internment of Japanese-Americans during the war. It definitely wasn’t a proud moment in our country’s history.
Literary Feline´s last [type] ..Friday Fill-In Fun
This is one of those books that pops up somewhere in my book browsing a couple of times a year. I think about it and then for some reason or another I move along and pick up something else. Maybe the fact that it keeps popping up in a variety of places and ways is a message that I need to read it. You’ve definitely given me a nudge in that direction with this review.
SuziQoregon´s last [type] ..Crooked Letter- Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
The author’s way of telling the story is so intriguing, I love the opportunity to get the viewpoint of everyone in the family whle they are all together, except for dad. Very powerful. I can almost imagine how rich the prose is and how vivid the imagery since the author is/was a painter.
Thank you for posting about this book & working hard to get a copy!
I’m going to work on getting one too.
Great note to the FTC! lol
~ Amy
Amy´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Read-a-Thon Hangover!
I didn’t know that the author was a painter, but that makes total sense. I’ve always thought of this as a very sparse book, a rich story told with minimal interference from its words.
Dreamybee´s last [type] ..Hey- Slacker- Whatcha Been Up To
This one sounds worth checking out, especially to see how the author being a painter shows in the descriptions. I hope it’s okay to link to your review on War Through the Generations.
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