Steve's Reviews

Julie Otsuka tells a story of Japanese picture brides who immigrated to the West Coast in the United States between 1908 and 1920, and their experiences up to World War II. Utilizing the unique, choral “we” to depict her characters, Otsuka may tread on dangerous ground (in generalizing an entire group), yet she pulls off a powerful demonstration of multivocality among group members, with lyricism and refreshing innovation. Nominated for a 2011 National Book Award and winner of the 2012 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.