Product Description
Based on the author's own experiences, this award-winning novel was the first to tell the story of the evacuation, relocation, and dispersal of Canadian citizens of Japanese ancestry during the Second World War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (65)

Muddled narrative makes for a confusing read
In all honesty, "Obasan" probably makes a decent attempt at trying to sound philosophical and deep, but while some of the metaphors are interesting - such as the one about Naomi's father as a chicken in a hospital - the narrative is so utterly convoluted that it is extremely difficult to follow.

Is part or even all of the novel a flashback? I can't tell. The confusion that abounds in these pages is such that it becomes very hard to sympathize with the plight of these Japanese Canadians, if that was the intention. The overall feeling of apathy crushes any chance at reader empathy; in addition, the descriptions of the titular "obasan" misses whatever mark it was aiming for entirely, instead stirring up feelings of complete disgust and revulsion in the reader. The mind's eye paints the picture a little too vividly as a result. The encounter with Old Man Gower made more than a few readers uncomfortable, and not in a good way - in fact, it comes off as useless exposition, an isolated event with no impact on the rest of the novel.

Whatever plot there may be is lost in the jumble of metaphors and bizarre imagery. The sentence structure has a heavily fragmented feel to it, as if one is directly reading another's thoughts. While this may work beautifully in select spots within a longer and more easily understood novel, it is terribly overdone here to the point where the previous train of thought can, if the reader can excuse the metaphor, come crashing off its rails completely. Perhaps this is a non-native author, or perhaps she is vying for a certain style of writing; the problem is, it simply does not work, not even once. Seemingly unrelated incidents are linked together with poor transitions; the scene about Naomi's mother disappearing feels thrown in like so many other scenes in the novel. If there is a storyline, it is nowhere to be found.

Bottom line: do not read this novel out of choice. It is simply not worth your time. Though it has some interesting details, such as the cracked red-white-and-blue rubber ball that is possibly symbolic of Naomi's family's past, the overarching feel is that of a somewhat thrown-together novel that makes a fallacious attempt at being methodical and deeply philosophical.

The tune is wrong.
What IS worthwhile about this book is the story. Because history repeats itself, we need to know how citizens of Japanese origin were treated recently - within the lifetime of many of us. Their property was taken from them. Their lives were degraded until finally they were interned in what were essentially concentration camps. It is pointed out that Canadians who happened to be of Japanese descent were interned while Germans born in Germany - and still German citizens! - were not, when we were at war with both countries. Racism? I guess so!

But Joy Kogawa lacks a sense of proper prose style. She overwrites terribly. Some of her prose is good, but in most of the book, she seems to be trying too hard...WAY too hard. I tried to get through her work for the sake of understanding her most worthy message, but it was like walking through the sticky rice that glued Obasan's false teeth together.

Also, this is a good example of the effect when an author has an ax to grind and fails to find a gentle way to do it. I found her anger and righteousness a turn-off in spite of my positive attitude toward her topic. I think the basic problem is that she just isn't a very good writer. As she says in damning Naomi's musician brother Steven in her sequel, "Itsuka", the tune is wrong.

Strength in an Observant Child
Joy Kogawa's novel Obasan uses strength to depict a story of a Japanese-Canadian family in Canada during World War II.Told from the point of view of an adolescent girl, growing up in the internment camps, Naomi Nakane becomes an adult sooner than most children are required.
Obasan begins as a slow and melodic novel. Telling the story with an almost dreamlike romanticism, Kogawa writes with numerous metaphors, often comparing to that of nature.As her story unfolds the voice of the narrator becomes stronger and the plot more vivid. As the pace continues, the novel often flashes back to the present time where the narrator is an adult who now works as a teacher.Stylistically Kogawa wrote a poetic piece of art that to some may be considered "flowery" language.To myself, her poetic style combined with the mysterious air of sadness the novel contains allowed me to enjoy this mournful depiction of a rather shameful time in North America's history while also not allowing me a moment of comfort.
The novel was slow at the beginning but soon becomes a thought provoking and challenging read.Kogawa's ability to truly tell the story through a wise little girl's eyes was fascinating to me.Naomi sees the beauty in the simple things of life and notes the detail of everything.I found solace in this uncomfortable novel through Naomi. I could relate to the innocent, mature, romantic, timid, girl the novel is founded on.The novel found strength in the character of an observant child making the point of the novel much more powerful and a success.

Obasan
the used book is still good condition, shipment little bit faster, it will be great.

A Beautiful and Miraculous Book
'Obasan' is one of the most powerful books I've ever read.It is written lyrically, almost as a poem.It relates softly and beautifully the horror, pain and confusion of the Japanese internment camps and relocation programs in Canada.This aspect of the book is interspersed with the destructiveness of war.

It tells of a family and the hope and futility of the human condition.Juxtaposed, are Naomi in the present and in the past, along with her Obasan (aunt) Emily.One of them will not speak at all about the horrors and the other thinks that by facing the facts and dealing with them one can bring order and justice to a chaotic past.

How soft and beautiful words can evoke the passionate and powerful feelings of this book is miraculous.It is a book to be treasured. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

if this book is as good as the first installment i can easily rate
it 5 stars. book was received in a very timely manner and arrived as described by seller. thank you!

STORY TOUCHING AND HEART-WARMING
I was ashamed to be a Canadian when I think back to how the Japanese Canadians were treated by their own government during the Second World War.After reading "Itsuka", I feel renewed faith.The story ispoetically written, moving and uplifting.It's definitely one of thosebooks that I'd read more than once. ... Read more

Product Description
Canadian Fiction Studies are an answer to every librarian's, student's, and teacher's wishes. Each book, about 80 pages in length, contains clear, readable information on a major Canadian novel. These studies are carefully designed readings of the novels; they are not substitutes for reading them. Each book is attractively produced and follows the same format, so students will know exactly what to expect:

A chronology of the author's life The importance of the book Critical reception Reading of the text Selected list of works cited ... Read more

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Product Description
This is a sequel to the author's first novel, Obasan. When Father Cedric asks Naomi Nakane, "What is for you the breath of life?", Naomi is unable to answer. But Father Cedric knows that someday -- itsuka -- she will understand herself. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A Brave Book,A Good Read
This new edition of "The Rain Ascends" deserves to outlast the critics of its first release whose displeasure hinged on its apparent lack of political correctness and the fact that it was not "Obasan".Kogawa abjures a simple-minded hang 'em and burn 'em approach and writes with profundity and compassion on the subject of pedophilia, to which there was fleeting reference in Obasan.The result is a complex, thoughtful and deceptively simple story.In the telling of the tale, she has clearly laboured to sort through issues of voice and perspective, sensitive to all points of view in a painful debate.This is a fine book. ... Read more

Product Description
First published to critical acclaim in 1986, Naomi_s Road is the story of a girl whose Japanese-Canadian family is uprooted during the Second World War. Separated from their parents, Naomi and her brother Stephen are sent to an internment camp in the interior of British Columbia. For the young girl growing up, war only means that she can no longer return to her home in Vancouver, or see her parents. Told from a child_s point of view and without a trace of anger or malice, Naomi_s Road has been praised as a powerful indictment of the injustice of war and the government_s treatment of Japanese-Canadian citizens, both during and well after World War II.This new edition is based on an expanded version of the story published in Japan. In it, Kogawa brings in more of the extended family and answers the question so often asked by fans of the original book: What happened to Naomi_s mother? With a historical note and a new ending, cover, and interior drawings by popular children_s illustrator Ruth Ohi, this book will be an absolute must for owners of the original as well as a whole new generation of young readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Grandmother previewing book for grand daughter
I bought this book for my 8 year old grand daughter. I generally read books before I give them to the kids. I've read other books by Kogawa and always thoroughly enjoy them. This book is no exception but: I'm not sure the loss of her mother, father, grandparents, doll, friends, etc isn't a little heavy for an eight year old. My gr.daughter reads/comprehends above her age level but I think it's a little heavy for her yet. Probably by age 10 or 11 children have a better emotional grasp for themselves and of the world.

Excellent story, wonderfully well written. Even teens and adults would enjoy this well sensitive, emotional book.

Coleen from Kent, Wa

Naomi's Road
Naomi's Road
Author:Joy Kogawa.
This book takes place in 1940's. Canada is at war with Japan. Naomi and her brother, Stephen go from Vancouver to an internment camp in the interior of British Columbia and then to a farm in Alberta. Join Naomi on her quest to seek hope and understanding of the world around her.
Review by:Frances ... Read more

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Winner, 1992 Canada-Japan Book Award

With the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941, all persons ofJapanese descent were declared 'enemy aliens.' Their assets wereseized and most of the Japanese Canadian population was relocated orsent to internment camps. Stone Voices is a selection of memoirs,diaries, and letters written by four Issei, the first generation ofJapanese to settle in Canada. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from American Review of Canadian Studies, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2006. The length of the article is 11127 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: "I am Canadian": truth of citizenship in Joy Kogawa's Obasan.(Book review)
Author: Meredith L. Shoenut
Publication: American Review of Canadian Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 36Issue: 3Page: 478(20)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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This digital document, covering the life and work of Joy Nozomi Kogawa, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 2487 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

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This digital document is an article from Presbyterian Record, published by Presbyterian Record on March 1, 1999. The length of the article is 859 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: What's a nice poet like Joy Kogawa doing making money?
Author: John Congram
Publication: Presbyterian Record (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 1999
Publisher: Presbyterian Record
Volume: 123Issue: 3Page: 18-19

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

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Joy Kogawa is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of British Columbia with numerous honorary degrees and lifetime achievement awards to her name. The essays in this collection explore Joy Kogawa's life work, both literary and activist. The list of contributors includes Rocío G. Davis, Glenn Deer, Jonathan Hart, Julie McGonegal, Ann-Marie Metten, Tim Nieguth, Irene Sywenky, Barbara Turnbull, and Sheena Wilson. These essays give attention to Joy Kogawa's work beyond Obasan, with the intention of stimulating future scholarship on the author's multi-dimensional literary accomplishments. This collection includes an interview with Joy Kogawa. ... Read more