61 pages 2 hours read

Julie Otsuka

The Buddha in the Attic

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the Attic has been well-received for its poetic and haunting narrative style, providing a poignant portrayal of Japanese "picture brides." Critics praise its unique collective voice and emotional depth. However, some find its lack of individual character development limiting. Overall, it's deemed a powerful, if somewhat stylistically constrained, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Buddha in the Attic?

Readers who appreciate deeply human and evocative narratives, such as The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, will find The Buddha in the Attic particularly resonant. This novel appeals to those interested in themes of immigration, identity, and the collective experiences of Japanese picture brides in early 20th-century America.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre
Historical Fiction
American Literature
Japanese Literature
Topics
Immigration / Refugee
Class
History: U.S.
Period
WWII / World War II
Asian Literature
Themes
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice