A Must-Read: Julie Otsuka’s When the Emperor Was Divine – A Powerful Tale of Japanese American History
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka is a powerful and heartbreaking novel that will stay with you long after you finish it. Set in WWII Japan, this book tells the story of one family’s experience of being sent to an internment camp for Japanese-Americans. Through their struggles, we get a glimpse into what life was like for those who were discriminated against and judged unfairly during this difficult time in history. Told from multiple perspectives, Otsuka paints a vivid picture of what it was like to live in fear of being labeled as the “enemy” simply because of their ethnicity. With its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, this book is sure to be remembered as a timeless classic.