Chang-rae Lee's much-awaited second novel is a haunting, compelling exploration of the Japanese experience of the Second World War, and the fate of their Comfort Women. 'You make a whole life out of gestures and politeness,' Sunny tells her adoptive father, Franklin Hata. Born in Korea and raised in Japan, Franklin deflects everyone - even his daughter - with courtesy and impenetrable decorum, becoming a respected elder of his small, prosperous American town. As Sunny tries to unpick her father's scrupulous self-control, ...
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Chang-rae Lee's much-awaited second novel is a haunting, compelling exploration of the Japanese experience of the Second World War, and the fate of their Comfort Women. 'You make a whole life out of gestures and politeness,' Sunny tells her adoptive father, Franklin Hata. Born in Korea and raised in Japan, Franklin deflects everyone - even his daughter - with courtesy and impenetrable decorum, becoming a respected elder of his small, prosperous American town. As Sunny tries to unpick her father's scrupulous self-control, the story he has repressed emerges: his life as a medic in the Japanese army and his love for a woman who is a soldier's chattel. The tragic tension between Franklin's need to communicate the horror which has shaped his life, and the guilt which has kept him silent are at the heart of this unforgettable work of humane understanding. 'Stunning . . . It's a beautiful, solitary, remarkably tender book.' Andrew O'Hagan 'A wonderful mixture of Richard Ford and Kazuo Ishiguro.' New Yorker 'Superb. Stirring and impressive; the work of a very fine writer indeed.' John Preston, Daily Telegraph 'A writer of immense subtlety and craft.' Maya Jaggi, Guardian 'A slow, brooding, memorable work of fiction.' Joyce Carol Oates 'Pleasing, illuminatingly fresh.subtle and delicious.' Independent 'Beautifully written.a work of astonishing psychological acuity and compassion.' Lizzie Buchan, The Times
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Add this copy of A Gesture Life: a Novel to cart. $10.00, new condition, Sold by Garys Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Apache Junction, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Riverhead Hardcover.
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New in As New jacket. Book. Signed by Author(s) Signed by Author(s) 1573221465 First edition, First Printing. Signed by the author on the title page. Not inscribed, price clipped or otherwise marked. Securely wrapped, dust jacket in protective cover and shipped in a box. Full # line starting with a 1.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life: a Novel to cart. $12.14, new condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Riverhead Books.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life to cart. $16.98, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2000 by Riverhead Books.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life to cart. $18.11, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2001 by Granta Books.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life to cart. $20.59, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2001 by Granta Books.
Add this copy of Gesture Life to cart. $21.12, new condition, Sold by Kennys.ie rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Galway, IRELAND, published 2001 by Granta Books.
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New. 2000. Paperback. Franklin Hata, Korean by birth but raised in Japan, is an outsider in American society, but he embodies the values of the town he calls his own-he is polite and keeps himself to himself. Num Pages: 356 pages. BIC Classification: FA. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 129 x 22. Weight in Grams: 272......We ship daily from our Bookshop.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life to cart. $24.54, new condition, Sold by Media Smart rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hawthorne, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Penguin Books.
Add this copy of A Gesture Life: a Novel to cart. $26.00, new condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 2000 by Penguin Adult Hc/Tr.
This book was one I selected for my book club because it is beautifully, exquisitely written. In the story, Franklin, an older Japanese American, lives alone and tries to connect with others--mostly unsucessfully. His past is haunted by his role in the Japanese military during World War II. He was responsible for the safe keeping of the 'Comfort Women' or women who were brought to the military camps to have sexual relationships with hundreds of soldiers. Franklin had his own, unrequited love with one of the women and her fate is his deepest regret. Throughout the story are flash-backs to the war, along with daily events in Franklin's life. Haunting and beautiful, this book is highly recommended.
