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John Okada

No-No Boy

John OkadaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956

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Book Brief

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John Okada

No-No Boy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956
Book Details
Pages

282

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 1940s

Publication Year

1956

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

900L

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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

4.3

7,666 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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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 this

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.

4.3

7,666 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

282

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Seattle, Washington • 1940s

Publication Year

1956

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

900L

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