This
is a composite story about Japanese brides who came to San Francisco
in the early 20th Century starting
from their journey by ship from their homeland to their lives in the
USA.
For
most of them their American lives failed to live up to their
expectations as on the ship they nervously exchange photos of their
future husbands. Experiences vary for individuals but variously work
as servants, in commerce, on farms and for some in brothels. Many
are treated badly and some die ( including in childbirth). Few of
them learn English or integrate fully into the culture or social life
of the area. It is not until their children are old enough to make
friends that integration by this second generation begins.
Following
the attack on Pearl Harbour they and their families are rounded up
and interned. We then learn from an American narrator that their
places homes and businesses- are taken by a new wave of immigrants
from other parts of the US and life goes on with the Japanese missed
by only a few for a short term
This
was a short book, but not an
easy read because of its composite nature. The 'voice' in all but the
last chapter is one of the women but she uses 'we' and 'us' in
Japanese literary style so we are unable to identify with individual
characters as they struggle in their new life. Many of, unused to
this style of writing felt that it made the book a less enjoyable
read – but for others it emphasised the universality of the women's
situation.
We
discussed a theme which seems to recur in our own society: namely a
pattern of immigration which brings first men to seek work and a
better standard of living before sending for their wives and
families. This is the often followed by a stage where the women who
may have a limited understanding of the host culture and language and
as a result may cling to their own compatriots as they struggle with
daily life. This can be seen by the host nation as a 'protectionist'
attitude to their own culture. Children may then as second generation
become more integrated and help to break down barriers- in the book
there is just such an example of a Japanese boy who leaves behind
his jumper at his American friend's house and is clearly missed by
his friend when he is interned.
Another
theme which runs through this book is the secondary place of women in
society and alongside this the ill treatment of many women by men in
their lives. We acknowledged that not only was this characteristic of
the period but also persists today in many countries and societies.
One
comment made was that these women were in no worse a situation than
many others of that time and indeed today. We also discussed why they
may have chosen to emigrate from their homeland – although we learn
early on that the reasons were many and varied – some were sold or
forced into marriages by impoverished families and variously left
homes on farms or in fishing villages. Others were city girls. Many
chose this route in the hope for a better life in the US. Most had
failed to find suitable husbands in Japan.
We
mostly missed the relevance of the title – there was only one
mention of 'the Buddha in the attic' and no explicit reference to
this influence on their daily lives. Although we could infer that
their stoicism derived from their Buddhist way of life.
In
conclusion:
Some
found the style irritating and felt it detracted from being able to
identify with the individual women, so that you could follow their
individual stories and lives. There was some acknowledgement of some
lyrical and poetic language
Scores
ranged
from 4 to 6 with an average of exactly 5
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