logo

52 pages 1 hour read

Fifty Words for Rain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Asha Lemmie

Fifty Words for Rain

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1940s-1950s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie is a historical novel set in post-World War II Japan, following Nori Kamiza, the biracial illegitimate daughter of an aristocratic Japanese woman and a Black American soldier. Raised by her strict grandparents and shunned by society for her mixed heritage, Nori forms a complex bond with her half-brother Akira, a violin prodigy, as she navigates identity, family ties, and self-discovery. The novel includes depictions of colorism, racism, physical abuse, sexual assault, and suicide.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Emotional

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

56,028 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie is praised for its rich prose and deep emotional resonance, immersing readers in post-WWII Japan and the life of a biracial girl. Reviewers appreciate its vivid descriptions and complex characters, though some critique the pacing and plot developments as uneven. Overall, it's a compelling historical fiction debut that captivates the heart.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fifty Words for Rain?

Readers who would enjoy Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie are typically fans of sweeping historical fiction that explores themes of identity, resilience, and cultural conflict. Comparable to works like Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, this book appeals to those captivated by intricate family sagas and rich settings.

4.1

56,028 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Noriko “Nori” Kamiza

A biracial girl navigating a complicated life marked by family secrets and societal rejection, with a journey from obedience to leadership shaped by the women and men around her.

Nori’s half-brother, who despite being the heir to the Kamiza estate, is a dreamer with a strong sense of justice and familial duty, ultimately seeking a balance between family obligations and personal desires.

Nori and Akira’s mother, who is caught between the privileges and constraints of her aristocratic background, seeking personal freedom while being influenced by family expectations and societal norms.

The matriarch of the Kamiza family who embodies traditional values and familial honor, maintaining a strict control over her descendants while navigating her own ambitions and the family's legacy.

Nori’s friend and ally, a British aristocrat who empathizes with Nori's struggles, provides companionship and support, and shares a personal history of societal challenges and familial dependence.

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Japan • 1940s-1950s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.