Practically from the very start of this novel, we are wrapped into a world of women. This may be a patriarchal society, but it is women who converse, trade secrets, make plans and keep house. Poor circumstances may force a girl to drop out of school but she does her best to maintain her friendships with her neighbor’s daughter.
This is the age-old world of women reared in patriarchal societies. Boys are valued and girls are tolerated or scorned. But, when husbands die and wives perforce become widows, then it’s up to them to see their children get the best futures…or at least the best futures they can afford. In this, women are able to make choices when it comes to picking a bridegroom.
The wandering seller Pusan Ajimae tells fabulous tales of far-off Hawai’i, filling Willow with the notion to go to the New World and marry. She’s told she’ll be able to study and that thought excites her. We’re not given any solid notion of WHAT she’ll be studying for but her enthusiasm makes you believe she could manage anything she put her mind to learning.
The voices that chime in are all female. Some approve of Willow’s travel to this foreign land, others disapprove. They all wish each other well and gather around to share news, tell stories and give advice. There is comfort here, even as they all tremble in the face of Japanese occupation and sovereignty over their country.
This is a story of quiet force, echoing with the patience and resignation of women who are forced to make the best of bad situations. Lost husbands, dead sons, lowly castes cannot stop them. These women persevere.
This is the age-old world of women reared in patriarchal societies. Boys are valued and girls are tolerated or scorned. But, when husbands die and wives perforce become widows, then it’s up to them to see their children get the best futures…or at least the best futures they can afford. In this, women are able to make choices when it comes to picking a bridegroom.
The wandering seller Pusan Ajimae tells fabulous tales of far-off Hawai’i, filling Willow with the notion to go to the New World and marry. She’s told she’ll be able to study and that thought excites her. We’re not given any solid notion of WHAT she’ll be studying for but her enthusiasm makes you believe she could manage anything she put her mind to learning.
The voices that chime in are all female. Some approve of Willow’s travel to this foreign land, others disapprove. They all wish each other well and gather around to share news, tell stories and give advice. There is comfort here, even as they all tremble in the face of Japanese occupation and sovereignty over their country.
This is a story of quiet force, echoing with the patience and resignation of women who are forced to make the best of bad situations. Lost husbands, dead sons, lowly castes cannot stop them. These women persevere.