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Buddha in the Attic
Buddha in the Attic
Author: Julie Otsuka
This title is winner of the Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction 2012 and Finalist for the 2011 National Book Award, and the 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. In eight incantatory sections, "The Buddha in the Attic" traces the women's extraordinary lives, from their arduous journey by boat, where they exchange photographs of their husbands, imagining...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781905490875
ISBN-10: 1905490879
Publication Date: 1/1/2012
Pages: 144
Rating:
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 1

2 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Fig Tree
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 379 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Told in unusual first-person plural, this brief book is a haunting reminder of all that the Japanese endured as mail-order brides, as immigrants trying to find their way in America, as parents of children who assimilated more quickly than they did and as people forced into camps during WWII because they were universally suspected of subversive activities. These are collective experiences that will touch your heart.
CozSnShine avatar reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A lovely, haunting book about the brides from Japan brought to San Francisco. It loosly follows their journey until the arrival of the war. Beautifully written. A quick read that will stay with you long after you close the last page.
reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 379 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Told in unusual first-person plural, this brief book is a haunting reminder of all that the Japanese endured as mail-order brides, as immigrants trying to find their way in America, as parents of children who assimilated more quickly than they did and as people forced into camps during WWII because they were universally suspected of subversive activities. These are collective experiences that will touch your heart.
reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful, powerful book. A quick and easy read that reaches your emotions.
Read All 12 Book Reviews of "Buddha in the Attic"

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virgosun avatar reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 886 more book reviews
What was it like for these Japanese picture brides? What were the challenges they faced, in the home and in society? The writing style was very effective in giving all of their voices the space to be heard, to not be forgotten, relating their struggle to fit into a society that hardly valued them and of being forced to leave behind everything they worked for during the war. It's heartbreaking as it is insightful and definitely not to be missed. 4.5 stars.
IlliniAlum83 avatar reviewed Buddha in the Attic on + 181 more book reviews
Despite sounding like a fascinating topic, this was a disappointing read for my monthly book club. We expected this to have a more historical basis, but no real facts were presented. It was anecdotal, but I wasn't sure any of the incidents actually happened or were just 'like' something that appeared in one of the author's historical resources she used.
I just didn't like the voice the book was written in. And though names were sometimes used, we never got to 'know' any of the characters. More often, the author said " One of us" did this or that. For this reason, I felt disconnected from the characters.
I will look for another book on this topic as it is one many Americans know little about.


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