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The Buddha in the Attic
The Buddha in the Attic
Author: Julie Otsuka
A gorgeous novel by the celebrated author of When the Emperor Was Divine that tells the story of a group of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as “picture brides” nearly a century ago. In eight unforgettable sections, The Buddha in the Attic traces the extraordinary lives of these women, from their arduous journeys by bo...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780307744425
ISBN-10: 0307744426
Publication Date: 6/12/2012
Pages: 144
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 68

3.8 stars, based on 68 ratings
Publisher: Anchor
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 "The Buddha in the Attic"

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virgosun avatar reviewed The Buddha in the Attic on + 888 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 The 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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