Obasan

A powerful novel that explores the internment and persecution of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II. Told through the eyes of Naomi Nakane, a quiet and introspective schoolteacher, the story weaves together memory, history and personal trauma.

After the death of her beloved uncle, Naomi returns to visit her aunt, Obasan, an elderly woman who embodies silence and stoic endurance. Through a mix of flashbacks, letters, and diary entries, Naomi begins to uncover the painful truths about her family's past, including the internment camps, the forced sale of their property, and the government's refusal to allow Japanese Canadians to return to the West Coast after the war.

The novel centers around Naomi's quest to understand what happened to her mother, who returned to Japan during the war and was never seen again. As Naomi pieces together the story, she grapples with themes of silence, identity, racism and loss.

Obasan is both a deeply personal and politically charged novel. Through poetic prose and quiet reflection, Joy Kogawa brings to light a dark chapter in Canadian history while exploring the lasting effects of trauma on individuals and families.

Winner of the American Book Award.