The Buddha in the Attic
10 journalers for this copy...
This was an interesting book about Japanese mail order brides. It followed their experiences from the time they were on the boat on their way to California, what their expectations were vs. what actually happened once they arrived. It followed them through their lives, marriages, working, having children until World War II when they were sent to Japanese internment camps.
I only gave it 8 stars, since I found the writing style a little wierd. The entire book was written in short, staccato-type sentences...almost like lists of things.
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I only gave it 8 stars, since I found the writing style a little wierd. The entire book was written in short, staccato-type sentences...almost like lists of things.
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This book is starting on a journey to some BCers who signed up for this Ray.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
looking forward to reading this little book that's been on my wishlist.
Just reading the first page, I liked the stark, understated - yet powerful - style.
Thanks for sharing this bookray, valpete!
Just reading the first page, I liked the stark, understated - yet powerful - style.
Thanks for sharing this bookray, valpete!
I liked reading this book and couldn't put it down - though it was, in a way, unrelentingly sad!
a novel that also feels like a documentary - of impressions, and album of snapshots giving life and specifics to a disturbing time and story.
The chapters/topics had the ring of truth, sometimes gritty, sometimes beautiful descriptions of nature/seasons. Disturbing and sad stories, yet the strength and resilience of the human spirit came through.
That first person plural narration was an unusual writing style, but worked for me - except for the last chapter when suddenly the collective "we" seemed to be the townspeople and no longer the Japanese women; it seemed jarring to me.
sending on to wildflower37 - with thanks again to valpete.
valpete's bookray
- JDT - US
- wildflower37 - US
- heartthumper - US
- okyrhoe - Greece
- vasilka - Greece
- Icila - France
- Scruffykaz - UK
a novel that also feels like a documentary - of impressions, and album of snapshots giving life and specifics to a disturbing time and story.
The chapters/topics had the ring of truth, sometimes gritty, sometimes beautiful descriptions of nature/seasons. Disturbing and sad stories, yet the strength and resilience of the human spirit came through.
That first person plural narration was an unusual writing style, but worked for me - except for the last chapter when suddenly the collective "we" seemed to be the townspeople and no longer the Japanese women; it seemed jarring to me.
sending on to wildflower37 - with thanks again to valpete.
valpete's bookray
- JDT - US
- wildflower37 - US
- heartthumper - US
- okyrhoe - Greece
- vasilka - Greece
- Icila - France
- Scruffykaz - UK
Wow, that was quick! Thanks, JDT and valpete. So excited to get something from my wishlist. Will get this started very shortly so it can keep moving.
This may be the first book I have read in first person plural. I think the technique works as it allows for the nameless, faceless experience of a generation of immigrants, particularly mail order brides who are formless to their husbands to be until they arrive. It also shows the randomness of such an experience -- who receives a kind husband, a hard job, a child whom survives? it demonstrates the invisibility of these women within their families and society, particularly when it is convenient for the rest of the US to not see them during WWII.
Prepping to send to Heartthumper this week. Thanks again for sharing.
Prepping to send to Heartthumper this week. Thanks again for sharing.
Journal Entry 7 by wildflower37 at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Monday, August 13, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (8/13/2012 UTC) at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to heartthumper today via media mail.
Arrived today. Can't wait to start it.
Thank you so much for the bookmark. It's so pretty!
Thank you so much for the bookmark. It's so pretty!
Love this book. Love the way it was written. Thought the ending was sad. Left me wondering what did happen to everyone.
Posting today to okyrhoe. Enjoy!
Arrived in Athens today. Accompanied by a surprise extra book :-)
Thanks valpete for including me in the ray, and hearthumper for posting the book to me!
Thanks valpete for including me in the ray, and hearthumper for posting the book to me!
Received it! Thanx okyrhoe!
The first part of the book the one with the brides travelling to America reminded of me a similar story from a Greek film named "Brides" (you can have a look here if you like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVwkL2Vafxc )It seems that girls and women from countries which had the same financial problems during that period were searching for the american dream by accepting to become the brides of men that were strangers to them, or didn't even exist in some cases . That's why I found this book very interesting because these things really happened! The narration covered a long period of time in those brides' life in their new country and the problems they came up on till they were sent away by the government to Japanese camps and the american dream was over. What I didn't like was the narration in the first person in plural. I admit that it was something very clever to be used by the author but somehow it didn't work for me...It was rather tiring however I'm glad I had the chance to read it!
Thank you valpete for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this ring:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVwkL2Vafxc )It seems that girls and women from countries which had the same financial problems during that period were searching for the american dream by accepting to become the brides of men that were strangers to them, or didn't even exist in some cases . That's why I found this book very interesting because these things really happened! The narration covered a long period of time in those brides' life in their new country and the problems they came up on till they were sent away by the government to Japanese camps and the american dream was over. What I didn't like was the narration in the first person in plural. I admit that it was something very clever to be used by the author but somehow it didn't work for me...It was rather tiring however I'm glad I had the chance to read it!
Thank you valpete for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this ring:-)
Posted to Icila in France this morning. Happy reading Icila!
Here's the new list:
valpete's bookray-
- JDT - US
- wildflower37 - US
- heartthumper - US
- okyrhoe - Greece
- vasilka - Greece
- Icila - France
- Bulan-Purnama - US
- Scruffykaz - UK
- Bootielootie - UK
- Andrasthe - Austria
valpete's bookray-
- JDT - US
- wildflower37 - US
- heartthumper - US
- okyrhoe - Greece
- vasilka - Greece
- Icila - France
- Bulan-Purnama - US
- Scruffykaz - UK
- Bootielootie - UK
- Andrasthe - Austria
The book arrived this morning. Thanks vassilka for sending with real stamps and thanks valpete for organizing.
I got your message and anyway the list is in the J.E.
I got your message and anyway the list is in the J.E.
Sounds like an opera for me.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Journal Entry 18 by Icila at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, October 19, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (10/19/2012 UTC) at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to the U.S.A.
Just received the book today, I still have a book to finish then will start with this one. Icila, je vous remercie pour l'envoi de ce livre.
I am in the middle of reading this book with another one and will mail the book back to valpete after Thanksgiving.
The struggle, abuse that these women had to endured. Their life story will always linger with you for a long time. This book going back to valpete and thank you for sharing.
I have not participate in bookray for quite awhile and almost did not journal mailing the book today. Again, thanks for sharing.
I've received this back and will be sending it on its way soon again. Thanks for all who have participated.
The rest of this Ray fizzled, so I'm sending this along to a BCer with it on her Wishlist.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Well, it looks like from the PM I got from valpete that this ray is ready to move again. I'm happy to get this on the way once I'm done. I will read this as soon as I can but may not be until after the holidays. Thanks again!
I really enjoyed this book. I will get in touch wiht valpete and hope to have this out to the next reader soon.
Off to the next reader. Hope you enjoy!
Sorry for the delay in saying that I had received this safely I have had no internet for a couple of months. Looking forward to reading this book.