52 pages • 1 hour read
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464
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1940s-1950s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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
56,028 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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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.
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.
56,028 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Akira Kamiza
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.
Seiko Kamiza
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.
Yuko Kamiza
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.
Alice Stafford
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.
464
Novel • Fiction
Japan • 1940s-1950s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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