When the Emperor Was Divine
by Julie Otsuka
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka holds a well received rating of 3.70 out of 5, based on 11.5K reader ratings. First published in 2002. The book spans 144 pages.
About When the Emperor Was Divine
Julie Otsuka's commanding debut novel paints a portrait of the Japanese internment camps unlike any we have ever seen. With crystalline intensity and precision, Otsuka uses a single family to evoke the deracination "both physical and emotional" of a generation of Japanese Americans.In five chapters, each flawlessly executed from a different point of view "the mother receiving the order to evacuate; the daughter on the long train ride to the camp; the son in the desert encampment; the family's return to their home; and the bitter release of the father after more than four years in captivity" she has created a small tour de force, a novel of unrelenting economy and suppressed emotion.Spare, intimate, arrestingly understated, When the Emperor Was Divine is a haunting evocation of a family in wartime and an unmistakably resonant lesson for our times. It heralds the arrival of a singularly gifted new novelist.From the Hardcover edition.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Julie Otsuka |
| Published | 2002 |
| Pages | 144 |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.70 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 11,529 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is When the Emperor Was Divine?
When the Emperor Was Divine is categorized as Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is When the Emperor Was Divine worth reading?
Based on 11.5K reader ratings, When the Emperor Was Divine has an average score of 3.70 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is When the Emperor Was Divine?
When the Emperor Was Divine has 144 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote When the Emperor Was Divine?
When the Emperor Was Divine was written by Julie Otsuka. It was first published in 2002.
What is the ISBN for When the Emperor Was Divine?
The ISBN-13 for When the Emperor Was Divine is 9780385721810.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
