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Show 'Emperor1 brings honesty and caution to the sins of the past America is hit in a surprise World War II. Told through the attack. Hundreds or thou- voices of one Japanese family, sands are dead and wound- unnamed among the countless victims of the ed. Blindsided by ^ ^ ^ ^ forced relocation, the an enemy, America bemoans its loss and Matt Wright story wrenches at the emotions and serves prepares to retaliate. as a bitter reminder Someone must pay of what can happen there's no way we can when we blindly punlet them go unpunish the innocent for ished. The m i I itary gets the crimes of others. involved and soon the country is at war. The story opens in 1942 with the Butthat's not enough Bagels and country entrenched for many Americans. in war on two fronts. Impatient to hate, With no more than a they turn on their neighbors who share the eth- few days' notice, the Japanesenicity of the attackers and American protagonists are begin a prolonged war of their told they must pack only what own: flinging derogative epi- they can carry and prepare thets, ostracizing the "enemy," to board a train that will take taking every chance to let them them to an undisclosed locaknow they aren't welcome and tion in the Utah desert. Their finally,-sending them away to father, suspected earlier by the special communities where Alien Enemy Control Unit, has they can be monitored to make already been taken to a camp somewhere in the West. All the sure they are not a threat. Julie Otsuka's laconic but children know of their father poignant novel "When the comes from fading memories, Emperor was Divine" tells the censored letters he sends from story of Japanese-Americans his camp every few days and sent to relocation camps fol- a few birthday gifts from years lowing the attack on Pearl past. Harbor that sent America into Tragic and morose, the char- acters live out a life the government tells them is necessary for national security, military security and their own protection. The food is made from cats and horses and anything else left over from the slaughterhouse. The school works to indoctrinate them with pro-American feelings. Perhaps the most infuriating part of the entire tale was how easily it could happen again. A period of our history that's typically glossed over quickly or avoided entirely, the internment of JapaneseAmericans is an era or shame on the pages of American history. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks when so many of our own Islamic neighbors were despised and shunned for the sins of others, the application of Otsuka's novel is readily visible. A cautionary tale that covers history with scathing poetics, "When the Emperor was Divine" deserves a spot on every student's bookshelf. Matt Wright is a book critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments or suggestions for future reviews can be sent to him at mattgo@cc.usu.edu. of Sej)t9 /OS Friday-Saturday, Sept. 2-3 •Moonlight and Music, Friday at 8 p.m. at the Old Main Hill Ampitheatre. •CTrue Aggie Night, Friday midnight at the A. •Hale Center Theatre in Salt Lake City presents 42nd Street now through Sept. 17. Weekend shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday matinees are at 12:30 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $19/21. Call 801-984-9000 for more information. •Desert Star Theater is currently running two of its uproarious spoofs: CSI: Provo - Decaffeinated DNA and My Big Fat Utah Wedding. Some shows allow the purchase of dinner so tickets range from $10 to $30. Discount for students with ID. •Voice Male at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10-$12. Call 801-325-7328 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Relax and get movie tonight AVE with •Latin dance at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. Every Saturday at 9 p.m. Salsa lessons from 9-10 p.m. and dancing the rest of the night. Contact 801297-0233 for more info. Approximately 450 S. and 400 E. •College dance party in Provo at Club Fusion, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Only $1 with current, valid college ID or $5 for girls and $7 for guys. Three rooms offer, Top 40, House, Techno, Karaoke and pool tables. Located at 150 W. 100 S. in Provo. 100% GUARANTEED! SELL us your Books, CDs, DVDs, Games and Game Systesms build towards any Hastings purchase. •Check out Quick Wits Improv Comedy in The Love Sac Theatre in Holladay at 5001 S. Highland Dr. Shows run Friday and Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m. Call 801-577-8323 for more info. |