Bought at Ex Nihilo, lovely caressable cover.

Hoping to read this during my journey to Birmingham so I can use it in the bookswap game.

Later: just remembered that I have to review this. I did manage to read it on my journey.

A ship carries a group of Japanese women to a new life in America in the early 20th century. They are going to meet their future husbands in San Francisco, men chosen from photos, which of course turn out to be 20 years out of date. We see them arrive and settle down, discover this strange new country, learn the language, work, have children. We do not get to know just one or two of them, but all of them, as a group - we hear their voices one after the other, all bearing witness. The style is odd but somehow it works, resulting in something very poetic and poignant. I learned a lot, as I had no idea of this particular wave of immigration. All these women looking for a better life... did they have regrets? I wonder if any found happiness.


Adding a footnote to this: yesterday (Nov 6) I went to the theatre with another bookcrosser, Ydam21, to see this book performed as a play (in French) - well actually more of a monologue, apart from the epilogue. The title in French was Certaines n'avaient jamais vu la mer - Some of them had never seen the sea, and I would never have guessed it was this book if I hadn't looked it up and recognized the name of the author. The play was brilliant, with a very sober backdrop of bamboo sticks, a chair, and black earth scattered over a big sheet of paper. I was amazed at the actress's memory: she recited almost all of the book, with just one reading and some recorded voices for variety. And such poise. Very moving. (Note for self: adaptation du texte : Antoine Jaccoud // mise en scène et scénographie : Francy Schori // avec : Françoise Boillat // espace sonore : Olivier Gabus // chorégraphie : Iris Heitzinger // costumes : Isa Boucharlat // maquillages : Faustine De Montmollin // lumière et technique : Antoine Marchon)

Won in the Book Swap game.

A touching and poignant tale of the experiences of a group of Japanese "photo wives" in the USA through the first half of the 20th Century. Their experiences are as different as they are, and are told in a group voice which turns prose to poetry. Surprisingly easy to read given the unusual form, and a book that deserves a wide audience.

I shall send it to my cousin, who I feel sure will appreciate it, and when it comes back to me it will go to someone who has it on their wishlist.

Going to my (non-BC) cousin. When I get it back, it will go on to someone else who will appreciate it...