No-No Boy by John Okada

No-No Boy
By John Okada, Dorothy Okada, 1976, 260 pp. Reviewed by Duncan MAP Spring 2008

I believe that racism is one is one of the greatest cultural barriers of our time. Back in post-WWII America, racism was also a big deal. The Japanese-Americans living in Washington were the victims of racial atrocities, even in their own families. No-No Boy inspects these victims and tells their story.

No-No Boy details the exploits of Ichiro, a young Japanese-American who refused to fight for America in World War Two. Stamped a “No-No Boy” and imprisoned for four years, this book begins as Ichiro sets foot back in Seattle, Washington, his home town. He meets up with old acquaintances, some friendly and some less than so, and tries to deal with family problems while attempting to set his own feet back on the ground. This story is a sad historical fiction tale that really makes you think, especially as Ichiro attempts to come to terms with his elitist mother, deal with his friend Kenji’s war injury, and even try to get his own job.

For me, this book was tragic and thought-provoking in a way that made me want to stop reading it but continue it at the same time. John Okada does an excellent job making readers feel for the characters and come face-to-face with the real world of trying hardships and discrimination. This is especially portrayed in Ichiro’s own mentality. He can’t seem to start life again the way it was, especially after he realizes the disgusted hate he feels toward his aloof, insane mother. Every character has his or her own unique setbacks and sources of crushing depression. I would definitely recommend this book, but not to the faint of heart. No-No Boy¬ challenges everyday perceptions on the world around you while confronting you with the realities of an older, less accepting (or more accepting?) America.