Obasan

I did not have any expectations when I first started reading this book. I didn't even read the back of the book, I started it completely blind. I wasn't surprised at what it was about but more surprised that this was the first time I had really heard about these events. As a Canadian (second generation, Asian), the fact hurt me. I'm really grateful that Kogawa decided to share this story, even if it isn't rooted 100% in truth. Her writing is touching and I could feel that it came from a very personal place. The characters touched my heart.

That ending though. I had suspicions but hearing the truth finally laid out in plain black and white definitely caused tears to well up in my eyes. It's heartbreaking to read about just a fictional family torn apart but for so many families, this was their reality.