35 pages • 1 hour read
No-No Boy
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Book Brief
282
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • 1940s
1956
Adult
18+ years
900L
Super Short Summary
In No-No Boy by John Okada, twenty-five-year-old Ichiro Yamada returns home after two years in prison for refusing to serve in the U.S. military and forswear allegiance to Japan during World War II. He grapples with his identity, torn between his Japanese heritage and American upbringing, seeking to understand his past decisions while navigating relationships with family and friends amidst post-war prejudice and racism depicted in the narrative. This book includes sensitive topics such as suicide, alcoholism, and the impact of war and internment.
Melancholic
Challenging
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
7,666 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Okada's No-No Boy provides a poignant exploration of Japanese American identity post-WWII. Critics praise its compelling narrative and emotional depth, though some find the prose occasionally challenging. The novel’s rich historical context and complex characters make it a significant, if sometimes difficult, read.
Who Should Read No-No Boy?
Readers of John Okada's No-No Boy are typically drawn to historical fiction that delves into complex themes of identity, displacement, and post-war struggles. Fans of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri will appreciate Okada's exploration of Japanese-American experiences and the poignant struggles of cultural assimilation and identity.
7,666 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kenji
Kenji
Ichiro's old friend who served in the military, he lost a leg and is battling a terminal infection with a stoic outlook on life and a vision for a culturally integrated America.
Ichiro’s Mother
Ichiro’s Mother
A strong-willed woman who opposes her sons' Americanization, maintaining beliefs deeply tied to her past and hopes of returning to Japan.
Ichiro’s Father
Ichiro’s Father
A passive character who worries about his family and drowns his concerns in alcohol, unable to confront his wife's rigid views.
Taro
Taro
Ichiro's younger brother who is eager to prove his Americanness by enlisting in the military, contrasting with Ichiro's struggles.
Freddie
Freddie
A fellow "no-no boy" who returns from prison indulging in vices and serves as a contrast to Kenji's constructive outlook on life.
Emi
Emi
A woman introduced to Ichiro by Kenji, dealing with her own loneliness and family issues, with a potential romantic future with Ichiro.
Bull
Bull
A military veteran who initially appears as a bully antagonizing "no-no boys," but later shows deeper emotional complexity.
Mr. Carrick
Mr. Carrick
An American employer who offers Ichiro a job without prejudice, showing an example of acceptance and a fresh start.
Professor Brown
Professor Brown
Ichiro's former instructor who warmly encourages him to return to school, unaware of Ichiro's full past.
Mr. Morrison
Mr. Morrison
The director of a rehabilitation center who offers Ichiro a job but holds him partly responsible for his own hardships.
Gary
Gary
A "no-no boy" who finds new purpose in art after leaving prison, believing that time will change the community's perception of non-service.
282
Novel • Fiction
Seattle, Washington • 1940s
1956
Adult
18+ years
900L
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