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| Plot Summary of The Geisha's Granddaughter |
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Five Star, Aug 2003, 26.95, 289 pp.
ISBN: 0786251123
Though a geisha, Mariko had a binding relationship with an older man. However, her occupation forbids her to ever marry. When she gives birth to a son, she gives the child Akira to her brother who raises the lad as a farmer. When his uncle dies, Akira goes to America to live with Mariko's other sibling on an isolated farm. They live amicably together for eight years until the older man dies.
Akira continues to work the farm though only a teen. When he meets his fifteen-year-old neighbor Komako, he knows he has met his life's mate. They marry two years later and have a fine life together until World War II breaks out. He loses the land and both are incarcerated in a camp. So that their daughter Mitzko lives free he joins the American army. The Americanization of Mitzko has begun even while her parents keep feet in both worlds.
This engaging historical novel provides readers with a taste of how Japanese-Americans felt while adjusting to a new world, when WW II shatters that world with the accompanying internment, and the assimilation during the baby boomer era. The tale is also in some ways a coming of age tale, but that serves as a backdrop to the post WW II era. The ensemble cast paints quite a picture as the audience sees in depth what life was like for Japanese in America over a three decade or so period. Though the action is somewhat limited, fans of deep vivid looks at a bygone time will appreciate the Americanization of THE GEISHA'S GRANDDAUGHTER.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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"Mitzko is the only child of Japanese parents who lost their
land in the United States and were interned during World War II. Although they stoically endure hardships, she sets goals for herself and becomes a super student. Falling in reciprocated love with an army general's son as a teenager permeates her life, but it eventually leads to tragedy. "
Mildred Sheffield, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Geisha's Granddaughter |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- 1930's-1950's
Inside culture (main char)
- Japanese
Culture clash?
- family young v. old guard
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- American Pacific Coast
War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians
Yes
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Conflict:
- War, general
- War, WW II
Main Character
Gender
- Male
- Female
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age:
- a teen
- 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Japanese
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 2 (a little)
United States
Yes
The US:
- California
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Unusual Style:
- a lot of flashback and forwards
- a lot of stream of consciousness
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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