2006 Banned and Restored in MA. 'Distorted view of history' 'implied violence towards women by Korean men'

For more information about banned books go to the American Library Association page.

Fictionalized account of the author's experiences at the end of WWII. She was 11, Japanese, living in Korea with her family. At the end of the war, Japanese nationals had a very rough time during the transition in the north. The Koreans had been conquered in 1905, and suffered for 40 years.

Having said that, there are some real problems here. The author makes a very emotional case of the hardships she suffered, the fear, pain, and emotional turmoil of her flight from the Manchurian border to Seoul and safety. No 11 year old EVER should face war, or being a hunted refugee. What is lacking here is an honest evaluation of this particuliar situation. Reading this book critically, rather than sit and question how could the North Koreans be that horrible, here are a few questions you should ponder:

Why did her mother believe that shaving her young daughters' heads and dressing them in ragged clothes would get them sympathy from any Korean they met? (It did, but think 'comfort women')

How exactly did her brother get certified as 'too stupid' to be accepted in the army in the last desperate days of the war?

As she and her family were of very high status (her dad got together with his college buddies every year, and from hints, this could only have been the imperial college for high Daimyo Samurai families) how friendly exactly was her family with the military research hospital on the Manchurian border that led to her family being helped by staff members to escape when other Japanese nationals were not warned or helped? (Think Unit 731)

As I said, no 11 year old should EVER experience what the author did, but neither should 11 year old Koreans. This would have been a valuable book if there was a little honesty within it.
Although personally innocent, what responsibility does an 11 year old have for their family? their situation? their tacit knowledge?

Left on the Cage Sculpture for BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2013 to look for a brave reader!

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