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A lively and surprising novel about a Japanese woman with a closely guarded secret, the American daughter who strives to live up to her mother's standards, and the rejuvenating power of forgiveness.
How to Be an American Housewife is a novel about mothers and daughters, and the pull of tradition. It tells the story of Shoko, a Japanese woman who married an American GI, and her grown daughter, Sue, a divorced mother whose life as an American housewife hasn't been what she'd expected. When illness prevents Shoko from traveling to Japan, she asks Sue to go in her place. The trip reveals family secrets that change their lives in dramatic and unforeseen ways. Offering an entertaining glimpse into American and Japanese family lives and their potent aspirations, this is a warm and engaging novel full of unexpected insight.
This is a beautifully told story of mothers and daughters, of American and Japanese traditions, and of healing and forgiveness.
Shoko Morgan is a Japanese-born woman who marries an American GI and moves to the United States post WWII to be an American housewife. Her daughter, Suiko (Sue), is a divorced, single mother of a 12 year old girl named Helena. Sue is struggling with life and trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. When Shoko becomes gravely ill, she asks Sue to travel to Japan to reunite with Taro, Shoko's estranged brother. Sue readily agrees and during her journey discovers more about her mother, her own life, and who she is as a woman.
I loved this story. Shoko and Sue really tug at your heart strings and take you along on their journey of discovery with them. This story is told in three parts. The first part is told from Shoko's POV and describes her time growing up in Japan and how she came to marry her American GI husband. Part two is told from Sue's POV and recounts her visit to Japan and the discoveries she makes while visiting there. Finally, Part 3 is told from both Shoko and Sue's perspectives, with a satisfying and tender conclusion.
Familial relationship novels are right up my alley so it is no surprise that I loved this one. The writing is beautiful and sucks you right in. I am not at all familiar with the Japanese language so I was very pleased that the author weaved in the English translation seemlessly [sic]. The novel flowed well and left me with a good feeling in my heart. Shoko and Sue's story will stay with you for some time to come.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Aaron Mccormack
reviewed How to Be an American Housewife on October 18, 2015
How to Be an American Housewife
This is really a chic-lit book with a soul embedded in realism. Entertaining and well written. A feel-good, heart-warming experience while getting to know a beautiful spirit.
Everyone has a life-changing experience, including Shoko's husband, Charlie, and her son, Mike, when Shoko lands in ICU and must undergo a heart operation. From that moment on, nothing can be taken for granted anymore and forgiveness becomes the most important goal for Shoko.
Three women, a mother(Shoko), her daughter(Sue) and granddaughter(Helen) go through a spiritual renaissance when Shoko's heart starts acting up and they have to spend more time together. Single-mother, Sue, and daughter, Helen, travel to Japan to visit Shoko's family and experience the places her mother has told her about. Sue finally connects with her own mother in more ways than one and finally grows up by taking her responsibilities more seriously. She suddenly understands her mother and her upbringing better.
The story is fast moving. Tips on how to be a good American, or as the title indicates, how to be an american housewife, is thrown in at the end of each chapter. It is often funny as well as informative.
Aspects of the American attack on Japan during WWII is highlighted in the book, with America being subtlety pointed out as the bad villain, especially after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For a novice it might distort the history, since the barbaric cruelties of Japan towards their Asian neighbors, as well as their POWs, are not discussed at all. Dare we mention Pearl Harbor here as well? However, if that kind of distortion does not trouble you too much, plenty of pink vinyl jackets, as well as hair dyed purple at the tips are more important, you might enjoy this light-read. After all, it is a story about forgiveness and the assimilation of two polar opposite cultures, with love.
This book describes the life of a Japanese woman who married an American man and moved to San Francisco. She describes not only the cultural changes she had to adapt to, but also the racial discrimination against her, especially in her mixed marriage.
Shoko shares her memories of her country and her family with her nuclear American family who do not know Japan and have never visited it before Shoko's heart operation. The tale also spotlights the generational adjustments of immigrants very well. It is indeed a novel about mothers and daughters with a light way of criticizing the American lifestyle. Shoko believes all things Japanese are the best and all things American are less good. Her daughter Sue, being a second generation immigrant, does not agree. Helen, the granddaughter, the full American citizen with 25% genetic ties with Japan, has a long learning curve ahead of her to reconnect with her grandmother's Japanese heritage.
An enjoyable read.
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