Items related to Why She Left Us: A Novel
Synopsis
A haunting novel of uncommon emotional power, this book weaves in and out of the personal tragedies and political persecution of three generations of a Japanese-American family, from their internment during World War II to the present day, when tension, jealousies and shame have ripped the family apart.
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Seller Image
Why She Left Us: A Novel
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers (Aust, 2003
ISBN 10: 0732268141
ISBN 13: 9780732268145
Used
Paperback
Seller: Book Grocer, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. [Author], [Publisher]. NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only. A description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have a question about this title.Author: Rahna Rieko Rizzuto Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 352 A haunting cross-cultural story in the tradition of Snow Falling on Cedars. Far from her family, Emi Okada, a young, unmarried girl, alone on the eve of World War Two, gives up her first-born, Eric, for adoption. When she becomes pregnant again, Emi returns home, but her mother, horrified that Emi had given up her first-born, goes and collects her grandson from the family that was raising him. In this war period in the US, the family is ordered to an internment camp where they are surrounded by many traditional Japanese families. the Okadas, especially Emi's brothers, find it impossible to forgive their sister for bringing so much humiliation to their family. tension, jealousies and shame rip the family apart. Paperback. Seller Inventory # 9780732268145-SECONDHAND
Seller Image
Why She Left Us: A Novel
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd 1/1/2003, 2003
ISBN 10: 0732268141
ISBN 13: 9780732268145
Used
Paperback
Seller: Oak Books, Ouyen, VIC, Australia
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Why She Left Us revolves around an intriguing mystery: a Japanese American woman's abandonment of her illegitimate child during World War II. Rahna Reiko Rizzuto reveals the reason for her act--and its effect on four generations of her family--in a series of alternating narratives. A son, daughter, mother, and brother all chime in, and the author's sophisticated interweaving of their tales is what gives this debut novel much of its power. Rizzuto's book includes its share of violent and disturbing incidents. A daughter helps her mother give birth on the floor of a shack; a son accompanies his senile grandfather to the toilet; a brother delivers a swift kick to his pregnant sister's belly. Yet Why She Left Us never relies on mere sensationalism. For one thing, the author's prose is strong and vivid, and she's particularly good at evoking the passage of time: "My life doesn't come to me in any order," notes one character. "Moments flip-flop, overlap--sometimes they come only in splinters." This isn't, it should be said, a big-canvas portrait of wartime life. But Rizzuto has produced a minute and successful investigation of the moments that define what a family is. That leaves the initial mystery. To her credit, Rizzuto doesn't come up with a pat solution: instead, she offers up a collage of perceptions, which fuse into a kind of answer as the story progresses. In other words, this is the latest addition to a growing canon of diplomatic, Rashomon. These are USED books. Please only purchase if you are happy with that. Images & Editions We use stock images and database descriptions based on the ISBN. The image shown may NOT be the actual book cover you will receive. Covers, editions, printings, and publishers may differ. If you need a specific cover, edition, or printing, please contact us before purchasing. What "Used" Means Because these books are pre-owned: Colouring books may be coloured in Textbooks may have answers filled in, highlighting, notes, or underlining Workbooks may have writing inside Access codes, download codes, CDs, DVDs, or online content are usually missing or already used Books that originally came with toys, inserts, maps, cards, or bonus items will usually NOT include them Pages may be folded, marked, or show normal signs of use If you are buying a book for anything other than reading (e.g. colouring, study use, collecting, gifts, specific covers, bonus items, or digital access), used books may not be suitable. Condition All books are listed as Used - Good Books are clean and readable but not new Some books may have: Writing, highlighting, or markings Folded pages or minor wear A small warehouse or inventory sticker on the spine Original retailer stickers (we do not remove them) Our Process We purchase books by the pallet and scan thousands at a time. For this reason, we cannot photograph or individually inspect every book. Acknowledgement By purchasing, you acknowledge that: You understand the book is used You accept the condition and limitations described above Stock images and descriptions may not exactly match the item received Thank you for supporting Oak Books and helping give books a second life. Seller Inventory # AY152_BZ4