Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

This was a very unique book.  I found it on a "must read" list somewhere.  In the early 1900's Japanese women were lured to America by pictures and promises of Japanese men that were already living in America.  This is the story of why they made the decision to come to America.  The trip to America.  What they found when they arrived.  Their hopes, their dreams.  How it all ended when the decision was made that Japanese Americans could not be trusted.
I have read several books about the same subject.  This book read like poetry.  It was told from the view of many people. It is a compilation of many stories.  It does not personalize individuals.  By using the collective "we" to tell the story we feel a connection to the group, not an individual.  There are individuals that are talked about throughout the book.  The story is about Picture Brides and the Japanese Americans.  After I read a few pages I was not sure I was going to be able to enjoy story.  I felt like I was reading the introduction to a story.  When I got used to the style of writing I became completely absorbed in the story.
The trip over to America is hard on the women but they have hope.  They are coming over with promises of lives of leisure.  Coming to marry handsome, wealthy men.  When they arrived they learned that most of them were brought over to be pickers, farm hands.  Some were brought for kitchen help.  The men were not the handsome men they saw in the pictures.  Most of them were older or not the same man at all.  Sadly, they could not go back to Japan.  It would have brought shame to their families.  The women made the best of their situations.
This story is not for everyone.  If you enjoy light reads, more of a story, you might not enjoy this book.  If you are interested in uniquely written books, different subjects, you will like, The Buddha in the Attic.  I can easily give this book a 5. 
On a added note I read this on my Kindle.  What I missed was looking at the beautiful cover.  I reread pages a few times.  It does not feel the same to reread pages on the Kindle.  I don't know why, it just doesn't.  That said, I do like my Kindle.  Right now when I am spending time at home, I can jump on Amazon and find something to read.  I am having a hard time picking my next book.  I am so distracted by life, it is hard to concentrate.  I want to be totally swept away by a story.  I want to forget where I am and what is going on.  That usually means sappy, light, love stories.  I need to check my shelves.  I know there are many books I have not read.  Hopefully, something jumps out at me.  Feel free to post some light reads for me. 

1 comment:

Milhouse said...

Laurie Notaro & Chelsea Handler are always hilarious