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A review by agarje1
The Four Immigrants Manga: A Japanese Experience in San Francisco, 1904-1924 by Henry (Yoshitaka) Kiyama
3.0
3.5 Stars
As a work of fiction, this is just okay. The stories are occasionally humorous, but ultimately most are ridiculous, slap-stick, or some combination of the two.
Where this book's value really lies is in its portrait of the Japanese immigrant experience at the turn of the century in San Francisco. Over the span of a few decades, Kiyama's characters have some connection to nearly every major event that affects California's Japanese community. As a historical record, it is impressive in its attention to detail and just how particular it is to its specific community. As a work of art, it is quite innovative; it draws from both American and Japanese influences and was originally written as a bilingual text.
The characters did win me over by the end, and I found myself shaking my head at their persistent naivete but always rooting for them to succeed. This text is a valuable first-hand account of the early Japanese immigrant experience while also managing to be an entertaining read.
As a work of fiction, this is just okay. The stories are occasionally humorous, but ultimately most are ridiculous, slap-stick, or some combination of the two.
Where this book's value really lies is in its portrait of the Japanese immigrant experience at the turn of the century in San Francisco. Over the span of a few decades, Kiyama's characters have some connection to nearly every major event that affects California's Japanese community. As a historical record, it is impressive in its attention to detail and just how particular it is to its specific community. As a work of art, it is quite innovative; it draws from both American and Japanese influences and was originally written as a bilingual text.
The characters did win me over by the end, and I found myself shaking my head at their persistent naivete but always rooting for them to succeed. This text is a valuable first-hand account of the early Japanese immigrant experience while also managing to be an entertaining read.