The Thumbnail Book Reviews
by John Q McDonald --- 6 September 1999
by Cynthia Kadohata
In this small first novel, which may be largely autobiographical, Kadohata tells the story of Olivia, the daughter of a Japanese family migrating around the country in search of work in the late 50s and early 60s. (The dates are vague, though.) The book opens with the family travelling south through California; Olivia, her three brothers, her mother and stepfather, and their crotchety old grandmother. It is a stressful yet oddly magical time for the family, as they head toward Arkansas, where the father has found some (hopefully permanent) work. Though the book advertises itself to be a story of wandering, about a third of the way through, the story settles down in a small town in Arkansas. In a way, this is a coming of age story, Olivia's teenaged years. She tells of her grandmother's history and influence. Her mother's story as well. And she tells of all their hopes that she go out and have a better life, beyond that of the local chicken-sexers. By the end of the novel, though, the reader may have some doubt as to whether Olivia will succeed. The book is sometimes touching. Occasionally amusing. But, ultimately, behind the occasional poignant observation, it seems somewhat hollow. Something of a run-of-the-mill (fictional) memoir.
Also by Kadohata: [In the Heart of the Valley of Love]