Joy Kogawa - Obasan

Pros: beautiful writing full of striking metaphors and symbolism; based on true historical events

Cons: none

The Bottom Line: Treatment of Japanese-Canadians (during and after WWII) by the Canadian government in British Columbia, as seen through the eyes of a child. A strong, yet understated, indictment of racism.

Review: Naomi Nakane, an elementary school teacher in her 30s, receives news of her uncle’s death. Her aunt, the titular Obasan, who had brought up Naomi and her brother Stephen, is now on her own. Naomi visits her and finds her very frail and distressed, ...