37 pages • 1 hour read
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All I Asking for Is My Body, by Milton Murayama, is a fictionalized autobiography set in the 1930s on a Hawaiian sugar cane plantation, narrated by Kiyoshi Oyama, the American son of Japanese immigrants. The novel contrasts Japanese filial responsibilities with American individualism and addresses the difficulties faced by Japanese Americans at the onset of World War II. The story includes sensitive topics such as familial expectations, the burden of debt, and living conditions during wartime.
Milton Murayama’s All I Asking for Is My Body is praised for its authentic portrayal of Japanese American life in Hawaii during the early 20th century. Readers commend its raw, honest language and compelling characters. However, some critics note the narrative's brevity limits deeper character exploration. Overall, it is a vivid and impactful read.
Readers who appreciate All I Asking for Is My Body by Milton Murayama will likely enjoy literature that explores ethnic identity, family dynamics, and socioeconomic struggles. Fans of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club or Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior may find similar thematic richness and cultural depth in Murayama’s work.
Recommended
Lexile Level
820LJapanese Literature
Asian Literature
Education
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Race / Racism
Education
History: World
Asian Literature