Status
Available
Genres
Publication
New York, N.Y. : Viking, 1989.
Description
A NEW YORK TIMES Notable Book of the Year. "Magical...THE FLOATING WORLD is about families, coming of age, guilt, memory...It is also about being Japanese-American in the United States in the 1950's." --NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Paulagraph
I am such a fan of Kadohata's post-apocalyptic In the Heart of the Valley of Love (1992), which I read many years ago that I've been hoping ever since for a new novel by this author. Alas! It appears that she now writes solely for young readers. The Floating World is Kadohata's first novel (1989).
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It's an elegant and often quirky coming-of-age story, well-written and enjoyable to read. Olivia, the "heroine," recounts the somewhat non-linear story of her childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood in an itinerant Japanese-American family, moving around the American West in the 1950s. After years on the road, they finally settle down in Gibson in rural Arkansas in a community of Japanese-Americans who primarily work in the local chicken hatcheries, sexing chicks. Kadohata writes with great understanding of the idiosyncrasies of each member of a family, as well as the ties that bind them together. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
I usually don't finish a book I know I will be giving a two star rating (based solely on my enjoyment value, NOT the quality of the writing). I continued with this one because I was intrigued to read about a slice of America which I had very little familiarity with; Japanese Americans after WWII.
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While I admit to learning some interesting things, who knew chicken sexing was a thing? The author failed to connect the long rambling memories of the narrator with history, culture or family. At least I did not find any of those connections; and I need them to enjoy a story. Especially a story which doesn't seem to have a point. Anyway, others may find more enjoyment in this than I did. Show Less