61 pages • 2 hours read
Julie OtsukaThe Buddha in the Attic
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka follows the journey of young Japanese women who emigrate to America in the early 20th century as picture brides, only to face hard labor, cultural estrangement, and suspicion following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, ultimately leading to their internment. The novel addresses themes of immigration, cultural displacement, and racism.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the Attic has been well-received for its poetic and haunting narrative style, providing a poignant portrayal of Japanese "picture brides." Critics praise its unique collective voice and emotional depth. However, some find its lack of individual character development limiting. Overall, it's deemed a powerful, if somewhat stylistically constrained, read.
Who Should Read The Buddha in the Attic?
Readers who appreciate deeply human and evocative narratives, such as The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, will find The Buddha in the Attic particularly resonant. This novel appeals to those interested in themes of immigration, identity, and the collective experiences of Japanese picture brides in early 20th-century America.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
American Literature
Japanese Literature
Immigration / Refugee
Class
History: U.S.
WWII / World War II
Asian Literature
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice