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.

Challenging / Melancholic / Contemplative / Gritty / Emotional

- All I Asking for Is My Body is considered a significant work in Asian American literature as it explores the Japanese American experience in Hawaii, particularly during the time leading up to and during World War II. 
- Milton Murayama wrote All I Asking for Is My Body in the form of a novella, and it was originally published in 1975 by the University of Hawaii Press, drawing from his own experiences growing up in a plantation community in Hawaii.

**Kiyoshi “Kiyo” Oyama**  
The quiet, thoughtful observer within the Oyama family who experiences significant personal growth, evolving from a traditional, obedient son to a self-reliant individual with Americanized values.

**Toshio Oyama**  
Kiyo's older brother who bears the burden of their family's expectations, outspoken and critical of unfair systems but ultimately compliant with his parents' wishes despite his personal dreams.

**Oyama Isao**  
Kiyo's father who is deeply rooted in familial duty and tradition, having moved from Japan to work off his father's debts, and later pressing his sons to support the family while maintaining moral integrity.

**Ito Sawa**  
Kiyo's mother, known for being argumentative and firm in her beliefs about filial duty, yet supportive and caring for her sons in their different life choices.

**Makoto Sasaki**  
An older friend of Kiyo whose family is ostracized due to their living situation and circumstances, highlighting cultural conflicts in perceptions of responsibility for one's family.

**Obaban**  
The family's elder known for her outsider status due to past actions but empathetic and selfless, serving as a critical familial support when Kiyo's mother falls ill.

**Mr. Snook**  
A teacher in Kiyo's life who introduces the young boy to radical ideas that challenge traditional norms and inspires him to question the plantation system and familial obligations.

**Mr. Nelson**  
The white plantation overseer who represents the power dynamics and authoritative system that govern plantation life, known for monitoring the education to prevent subversive ideas.

**Reverend Sherman**  
A religious leader who plays a pivotal role in advocating for the Japanese-American community's freedoms and safety post-Pearl Harbor, showcasing the importance of allyship.

**Mr. Takemoto**  
A language teacher and respected member of the Japanese Camp community who offers guidance to Kiyo and Tosh, balancing traditional values with an understanding of modern perspectives.

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