The Buddha in the AtticThe Buddha in the Attic
Score Modern
What it's about
Julie Otsuka tells the stories of Japanese 'picture brides' who came to San Francisco in the early 20th century: their journeys, backbreaking work, struggles with a new culture, children who rejected their heritage, and the internment that followed. It's told in a collective 'we'.
Why it's worth reading
It was a National Book Award finalist. It's short, lyrical and haunting.
You'll love it if you liked
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
The Joy Luck Club
PachinkoGood to know
It's very short and written in an unusual chorus of voices.
By the numbers
- Readers25 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller37 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz1 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #107 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #1209 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #2230 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark
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Quick answers
Is The Buddha in the Attic worth reading?
Yes. It was a National Book Award finalist. It ranks #2,230 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 61.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Buddha in the Attic about?
Julie Otsuka tells the stories of Japanese 'picture brides' who came to San Francisco in the early 20th century: their journeys, backbreaking work, struggles with a new culture, children who rejected their heritage, and the internment that followed. It's told in a collective 'we'.
How long does it take to read The Buddha in the Attic?
About 4 hours (145 pages), or about 8 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Buddha in the Attic?
If you liked it, try Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.