Plot Summary

Chorus of Mushrooms

Hiromi Goto
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Chorus of Mushrooms

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994

Book Brief

Hiromi Goto

Chorus of Mushrooms

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994
Book Details
Pages

268

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Canada • 1990s

Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Chorus of Mushrooms by Hiromi Goto is a magical realism novel that explores the lives of three generations of Japanese-Canadian women in the rural town of Nanton, Alberta. The story delves into the immigrant experience through the Tonkatsu family, highlighting the grandmother Naoe's refusal to speak English, her daughter Keiko's embrace of Western culture, and granddaughter Muriel's struggle to reconcile her dual heritage. Discussions of spousal infidelity and cultural displacement.

Contemplative

Mysterious

Emotional

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

1,703 ratings

65%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Hiromi Goto's novel Chorus of Mushrooms is celebrated for its rich exploration of Japanese-Canadian identity and generational complexities. The lyrical prose and unique narrative structure have garnered praise, though some readers found the story nonlinear and challenging to follow. Overall, the novel's cultural depth and emotional resonance make it a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Chorus of Mushrooms?

Readers who relish multigenerational tales of cultural identity and immigrant experiences will find joy in Hiromi Goto's Chorus of Mushrooms. Fans of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club and Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior will appreciate its lyrical prose and exploration of Japanese-Canadian heritage.

3.9

1,703 ratings

65%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

268

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Canada • 1990s

Publication Year

1994

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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