Farewell to Manzanar

Farewell to Manzanar is a 1973 memoir by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, documenting her family's experience in the Manzanar internment camp during World War II. The narrative begins when Jeanne is seven years old, as her Japanese-American family faces sudden upheaval following the Pearl Harbor attack. The book chronicles life at Manzanar, where over 11,000 Japanese Americans were confined between 1942-1945. The narrative follows the daily realities of camp life, from housing and food to education and recreation, while tracking the ways internment impacts family relationships and personal identity. The memoir continues beyond the war years to explore the challenges of re-entering American society and rebuilding lives in the aftermath of internment. Through her personal account, Houston examines questions of loyalty, citizenship, and belonging in American society. This work stands as both historical record and coming-of-age story, illuminating how national policies shaped individual lives during a pivotal period in U.S. history. The memoir raises enduring questions about civil rights, racial prejudice, and national identity during times of crisis.

Readers value this memoir as a first-hand account of Japanese American internment during WWII, noting its accessibility for middle and high school students. Many appreciate the straightforward writing style and personal perspective of a child experiencing the camps. Readers liked: - Clear, simple narrative that helps young readers understand complex history - Details about daily life in the camps - The author's balanced tone without bitterness - Family dynamics and cultural insights Common criticisms: - Lack of emotional depth - Too brief/surface-level treatment of events - Writing feels detached - Some find it slow-paced Ratings: Goodreads: 3.76/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) One reader noted: "The matter-of-fact tone makes the injustice even more striking." Another criticized: "The narrative jumps around and never fully explores the psychological impact." Most assign this book for educational purposes rather than leisure reading.

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★ The book was published in 1973, but it took Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston years to be able to discuss her internment experience - even with her own children - before finally writing this memoir. ★ Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII. Today, it's a National Historic Site managed by the National Park Service. ★ Co-author James D. Houston was actually Jeanne's husband, and he helped her transform her painful memories into coherent narrative form after she struggled to write about them for years. ★ The memoir was adapted into a made-for-television movie in 1976, starring Nobu McCarthy, Yuki Shimoda, and Dori Takeshita, helping bring this important story to an even wider audience. ★ When Jeanne's family was released from Manzanar, they had just $20 in government-issued funds to restart their lives, having lost their home and fishing business during their internment.