Blu's Hanging

by Lois-Ann Yamanaka

Book Overview

Blu's Hanging is the bittersweet story of a group of ragtag orphans reeling from the death of their mother, trying to stay together in the face of almost insurmountable odds. At once savagely funny and deeply moving, lyrical and wise, this novel confirms Yamanaka's reputation as one of the most vibrant new voices of her generation.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374114994
• ISBN13: 9780374114992
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Should Have Won Every Prize in the Book

I read this book some time ago, then read everything else by the author, then read this again. Both times I was stunned by the power, the honesty, the poetry, the passion, and the raw talent of Ms. Yamanaka's writing. I felt that I was in the presence of a major new literary voice and looked for the recognition I was sure she would receive nationally. Instead I fear that this book and others did not receive enough attention because the author happens to be from Hawaii, rather than, say, New York or L.A. I'm a writer myself and can only wish I had a tenth of the ability of this writer. I think Blu's hanging is a classic.

"I know who the dreammaker is...."

BLU'S HANGING by Lois-Ann YamanakaBLU'S HANGING by Lois-Ann Yamanaka is my introduction to the books by this Hawaiian native of Japanese descent. In this novel, Yamanaka takes us into the world of Ivah Ogata, the oldest child of a family that has just lost their mother, and a father who can barely feed and clothe them, let alone give them the love and attention that was given to them by their mother.Ivah is the narrator of this heartwarming story. She looks after her brother Blu, a lost soul who is at a turning point in his life. He could go down the wrong path, or find the right one, and is getting involved with the wrong crowd. Maisie is the baby and for some reason has lost the ability to speak. Because of this, there are many misunderstandings about her at school, including by teachers that punish her for wetting her pants. She's scared, and trusts only her brother and older sister. On the peripheral of all this is their father, a custodian that lives in a fog since his wife passed away, and as he ages, Ivah worries about him, knowing that Poppy yearns to be with his beloved Eleanor. The reader is given a glimpse of life on the islands, in particular the working class locals that are barely making ends meet. Life is rough, filled with hunger, pain and violence. A lot of Hawaiian flavor is mixed into the story, as not only are we told the story in the local pidgin, but we can also smell and taste the foods that are part of this unique Hawaiian American society. We also feel the pain that is Ivah, who does not want to be stuck on this island, who wants more to her life than having to raise her brother and sister who need her desperately. It is a sad tale, but told with a voice filled with hope for a promising future. The characters are endearing, and you will want to know more about them and how they fare once you are done with this book. BLU'S HANGING is highly recommended.

A Heart-Wrenching Tale

Blu's Hanging by Lois-Ann Yamanaka was one of the few books that I had to keep reading and couldn't put down. It's a novel about the Ogata family living on the island of Molokai. Through Ivah Ogata, the oldest child, the reader is brought to her world, where they don't have much money and are getting used to being without a mother. Ivah, her brother, Blu, and younger sister, Maisie, are put to the test when their mother passes away and their father must work several jobs just to bring in enough money to put food on the table. Ivah must quickly "grow up" and leave her teenage life behind her. The book is filled with different aspects, including, love, sex, and family. Near the end of the book, pieces of a puzzle involving their mother's death come into place and Ivah learns the true meaning of being loyal to her family.

At last, an authentic voice from Hawaii as it really is.

I read an article recently about this new Hawaiian writer, Lois-Ann Yamanaka in "Poets and Writers Magazine". Blu's Hanging is her third novel and I understand she has two more coming out within the next year. She has a fresh, unique voice -- the voice of Hawaii beyond the tourist hype. All the dialog is in Pidgin, in spite of the fact that this holds much disfavor and is thought of as low-class and crude. But this is about a poor family of Japanese Americans in Molokai, who live at the lowest rung of the society. The language makes the book ring with authenticity and immediately transported me into Yamanaka's world.The story is about the three Ogata children, reeling from the death of their mother. Their father is a janitor and the family is poor, eating bread with mayonnaise as a staple and being ashamed of the lunches they bring to school. Ivah, the oldest, at 13 years old is the narrator, and tries to keep the family together. There's Blu, her 8-year old brother, who stuffs himself with food and is victimized by perverted relationships. And Maizie, who at 5 years old, has stopped speaking and suffers in school when a cruel teacher ridicules her for wetting her pants.I feel for these children and their struggles. I admire their courage. And I want to hold them in my arms and embrace them. The world they inhabit is brutal. I feel a wave of nausea as they have to deal to the cruelty to animals around them. They keep going though. And truly love each other. That comes across loud and clear as they deal over and over again with viciousness around them.The title of the book refers to a time when Blu was so depressed he tries to hang himself, but his weight breaks the rope. In spite of being forced to care for misused and abused animals, his humanity shows through in the kindness he can show them. When his older sister gets her period and is ashamed to buy sanitary napkins, he buys her some as a Christmas present. He writes notes to his silent little sister and does everything he can to maker her world bright.Family secrets are revealed during the course of the book. And each character is so well drawn that I feel I know that person. The family are Buddhists, a world I am just starting to understand. This makes it logical that they are in contact with their dead mother's spirit. And I understand how upset Blu is when, after singing in a Christian play, he realizes that to become Christian means that he would have to believe that his Buddhist mother is burning in Hell.It took me just a few hours to read all 261 pages of this book. There was no way I could put it down once I started. It is both sad and inspiring. And many of the scenes are shocking in their brutality. But its true and real and the story needs to be told. Highly recommended.

A GIFT OF TALENT

This book moved and stirred my soul. I moved to Maui in mid 1991. Being a "haole", I was sheltered from the culture I now live in. I married a "Maui Boy" who is half Hawaiian and half Japanese. I do not know the Japanese side of the family, but I can tell you that the Hawaiian side taught me many wonderful and heart-breaking sides to their culture. "Blu's Hanging" made me cry almost thoughout the whole book. I love the people of Hawaii and Ms. Yamanaka portrayed the diverse cultures here in a truthful and "un-haolified" way. Her book is very excellent, it carries with it the pain and happiness of living in paradise. Please continue Ms.Yamanaka, I can't wait for your next piece of literary talent.