When the Emperor Was Divine   [WHEN THE EMPEROR WAS DIVINE] [Paperback]

Loved reading this painful narrative that focuses on the experience of a Japanese family, whose children are American citizens, yet are treated as potential threats to the USA during WWII. It's based on a historical event that was kept in the dark for a long time.

I never thought much about the effect of the incarceration on the innocent families, maybe because I was a child when it occured.
The Germans I knew that endured incarceration seemed to fare much better, maybe beacuse they could disappear in the general population.
I wish that this book (and other thought-provoking) books could be on school reading lists for our general population.

I picked this story of a group of "picture brides" from Japan because I knew very little about it;

I wish I were still a teacher, I would make it a required reading. It's a slim volume (abt. 150 pages) written so beautifully it reminded me of poetry.

Every word is carefully chosen. None are wasted. Otsuka's second book, Buddha in the Attic is equally powerful but written in a totally different style. Otsuka is a master. Looking forward to her next book.

An excellent, historical account of this tragic time for America and our Japanese immigrants and citizens. It gives an actual account of government panic and paranoia associated with the attack on America, and how it impacted so many thousands of good and innocent people caught in the middle.

An excellent, historical account of this tragic time for America and our Japanese immigrants and citizens. It gives an actual account of government panic and paranoia associated with the attack on America, and how it impacted so many thousands of good and innocent people caught in the middle.

I enjoyed this book, but was not thrilled with the way the story was told. This is the first of her books I have read and I will be reading another one shortly. If she uses the same story telling method I don't know if I will read any more of her books. Not the worst book I've read but not the best either.

Besides being factual it told a real story of all ages coping, suffering, hoping and enduring this injustice. It also told a story of how quickly some people took advantage of the victims and how others remained faithful and supportive them.

wonderful, eye-opening, thought-provoking and succinct. thank you, Julie Otsuka! I picked it up because Cornell is requiring all incoming freshmen to read it this summer and enjoy reading my kids' summer requirements.