29 pages • 58 minutes read
Julie OtsukaWhen the Emperor Was Divine
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine is praised for its poetic prose, emotional depth, and historical significance, illuminating the Japanese-American internment experience. Critics highlight its sparse, evocative style, though some find the detachment and brevity limiting character connection. Overall, it’s deemed a poignant, essential read.
Who Should Read When the Emperor Was Divine?
Readers who appreciate historical fiction with a focus on personal narratives and cultural displacement will enjoy When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. Fans of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson will find this poignant tale of a Japanese-American family's internment equally compelling.
Recommended
Reading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
810L