What Is When The Emperor Was Divine About?

"When the Emperor Was Divine" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel written by Julie Otsuka. Published in 2002, the book explores the experiences of a Japanese-American family during World War II when they are forcibly removed from their home and imprisoned in American internment camps. The novel begins from the perspective of the family's mother, who remains unnamed throughout the entire book. She describes the family's life in Berkeley, California, before the war, as they live a seemingly regular and comfortable life. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, a wave of fear and prejudice sweeps across America, causing Japanese-Americans to suddenly become suspects and threats to national security. The story follows the family's forced relocation from their home in Berkeley, California, to an internment camp in the desert, where they grapple with the loss of their rights, freedoms, and sense of identity. The novel vividly portrays the emotional and psychological toll of the internment on the family members, their efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy, and the enduring effects of racism and prejudice. Through its poignant narrative, the book delves into themes of loss, displacement, cultural identity, and the human capacity to endure in the face of adversity.

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