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When Mikan Road Was Ours: A Novel
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100 copies available
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Winner of Simon & Schuster’s Books Like Us contest, a gripping, sincere debut novel set across four generations of a Japanese American family living in California’s vibrant agricultural heartlands, exploring the sharp edges of inheritance and what it means to truly belong.
Amidst a sweltering Los Angeles heat wave, Murano, a reclusive high school English teacher, is muddling through life. Reeling from his father’s sudden death as well as his own recent cancer diagnosis, he passes time hazily grading papers and appeasing disgruntled parents while counting down each day until summer vacation.
The monotony breaks when he inherits his great-uncle Benjiro’s unpublished memoir. What Murano expects to be a grim reminder of his position as the half-white son of the family’s outcast instead whisks him away to 1930s California, to a time when the Murano family was inseparable, relishing life together on their bucolic farm. As the memoir introduces him to relatives he never knew existed and unearths hidden complexities of the past, Murano is pulled close to the Japanese identity he’s dismissed all of his life. Faced with the reality of his family’s dissolution, Murano becomes determined to understand its breaking point following their incarceration in American concentration camps during World War II, no matter what hidden truths he might uncover about his ancestors or himself.
Lovingly crafted with poignant and profound attention to historical detail, When Mikan Road Was Ours is a rich meditation on belonging that seamlessly blends the intricacies of heritage, the resilience of family bonds, and the struggle to reconcile a past filled with both heartache and hope.
Amidst a sweltering Los Angeles heat wave, Murano, a reclusive high school English teacher, is muddling through life. Reeling from his father’s sudden death as well as his own recent cancer diagnosis, he passes time hazily grading papers and appeasing disgruntled parents while counting down each day until summer vacation.
The monotony breaks when he inherits his great-uncle Benjiro’s unpublished memoir. What Murano expects to be a grim reminder of his position as the half-white son of the family’s outcast instead whisks him away to 1930s California, to a time when the Murano family was inseparable, relishing life together on their bucolic farm. As the memoir introduces him to relatives he never knew existed and unearths hidden complexities of the past, Murano is pulled close to the Japanese identity he’s dismissed all of his life. Faced with the reality of his family’s dissolution, Murano becomes determined to understand its breaking point following their incarceration in American concentration camps during World War II, no matter what hidden truths he might uncover about his ancestors or himself.
Lovingly crafted with poignant and profound attention to historical detail, When Mikan Road Was Ours is a rich meditation on belonging that seamlessly blends the intricacies of heritage, the resilience of family bonds, and the struggle to reconcile a past filled with both heartache and hope.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I feel incredibly fortunate to have read and reviewed this book. As the grandchild of a Nisei, my brother and I are Yonsei, although we were raised very similarly to the experience of a Sansei. Like many Japanese American families, we learned the majority of the details of our grandfather’s life and incarceration after his passing; I believe many of that generation 'folded up and tucked away' the stories of their incarceration. My own family farmed and operated a winery before being relocated to Heart Mountain.
Furutani masterfully uses fiction to guide the reader through this vital piece of history. The characters are fascinating, and I found myself slowing down to research the historical context behind the plot. This is an exceptional work of historical fiction, and I highly recommend it as a necessary addition to the limited literature available on the Japanese American experience during WWII.
Furutani masterfully uses fiction to guide the reader through this vital piece of history. The characters are fascinating, and I found myself slowing down to research the historical context behind the plot. This is an exceptional work of historical fiction, and I highly recommend it as a necessary addition to the limited literature available on the Japanese American experience during WWII.
Want to Read
November 21, 2025Brand New Book by a New Author. Interested in Reading this. Japanese~White Identity and historical fiction back during WWII and how Japanese American Citizens were put in detainment centers in the US.
Covers several generations of family, which I generally like.
Covers several generations of family, which I generally like.
Want to Read
January 7, 2026General fiction/Historical fiction & multicultural interest
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, D.K. Furutani for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 28, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author, D.K. Furutani for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 28, 2026
December 3, 2025
This book felt gentle and heavy at the same time, the kind of story that sneaks up on you emotionally. The writing is simple but meaningful, and the way Furutani explores family, identity, and the tug-of-war between past and present feels very real. I loved how grounded the characters were; nothing felt exaggerated, just honest, human choices shaped by history and hurt.
It’s a quiet book, but it leaves a strong aftertaste…. that bittersweet mix of nostalgia, loss, and the pieces of ourselves we carry forward whether we want to or not. I finished it feeling reflective, like I’d just walked through someone else’s memories and picked up a few truths for myself.
It’s a quiet book, but it leaves a strong aftertaste…. that bittersweet mix of nostalgia, loss, and the pieces of ourselves we carry forward whether we want to or not. I finished it feeling reflective, like I’d just walked through someone else’s memories and picked up a few truths for myself.
Want to Read
November 19, 2025Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2026
This was a 4.5 star read for me. I enjoyed the family aspect of this story and especially enjoyed the memoir within the story and how it helped the main character get to know a family he had not known up to this point. I learned a lot about Japanese internment and how it affected one family - even in future generations. This was beautifully written and made me want to connect with my own family to learn their truths before they pass away.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2026
Interesting novel about a man's discovery of his Japanese family history before, during and after WWII. Having previously known little of his family's history, including the period of their internment in camps during the war, he seeks to understand the intricacies of their relationships.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Atria for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
When Mikan Road was Ours chronicles a journey of one man’s reconnection and rediscovery of his family’s roots spanning across four generations from the 1930’s to present day. DK Furutani’s debut novel is written beautifully with tenderness and sincerity in its prose and weaves through the bucolic but tragic lives of the Muranos, a Japanese-American family who’s pursuit of the American Dream is cut down by the unfair and bigoted policy of detaining Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II.
Family and the importance of the connections we make with our loved ones are central themes to this novel. Furutani masterfully unpacks and reveals the mystery as the novel progresses of what happened to the Murano men and why at the beginning of the novel - our protagonist (who’s first name is not revealed) has been separated from them. This page-turner kept me on the edge of my seat as a chance encounter with a long lost cousin reveals a memoir that uncovers the hidden memories and events of the lives of the Muranos.
When Mikan Road was Ours is an illustrative example of how immigrants can obtain the American Dream but shows how quickly those dreams can be dashed with oppressive policies rooted in racism and hate- turning a successful self-made man and his family from wealthy and respected land-owning farmers to outcasts overnight.
Although the tragedy of losing the life on the farm with its peaceful koi pond and expansive mandarin groves was a primary focus of the novel; the understated tragedy was the shattering of a once close-knit family, the loss of innocence in children, and the realization that even with many years settled in America, a person can still be considered a foreigner. As a second generation Asian American, my heart was torn and I teared up at how the family was split up and sent to different internment camps. Fururani brings nuance to the difficult decisions that were made by a character prioritizing well-being and career over family while showing how the rest of the family endured over the years as they rebuilt their lives, found love, and had children.
Furutani manages the epic scope of the story and its diverse cast of characters in his novel and each one feels distinct and believable. Our Murano protagonist experiencing his own genealogical revelation and his own modern day racial micro aggressions; the caring and energetic Kaiya - who acts as the glue between the old generation and the new; the academic and aloof engineer, Benjiro, the fun loving Kazuki; the poet Eiko (I love how Furutani gave her prose a distinct style and voice); and the elder brother Tomoya. In Tomoya, Furutani writes perhaps his most complex character, layered with a sense of morality and social justice juxtaposed with having endured some of the deepest and darkest tragedies of the family. Reading about his life stirred up my emotions, and his story was both inspiring and lamentable. His strength was his ability to show great care and compassion but at the same time giving so much to others that he ended up not having anything left emotionally to give to his son Lonnie. Through his eyes and his son’s Lonnie’s we see the erosion of the American dream and the impact of an America that harshly treated and alienated its own citizens. It was a masterful stroke of genius tying this disillusionment to the American dream with the protagonist’s lectures as an English teacher on two books of this archetype - Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Although thoroughly researched this novel doesn’t read like a history book; and the characters are earnest and heartfelt. Through the author’s transformational ability to tell a family story wearing his emotions on his sleeve (one that you may hear at your own dinner table), I felt a connection to these characters as if I was a member of their family.
When Mikan Road Was Ours emphatically advocates for fully embracing your heritage and identity and I wholeheartedly agree - a stellar debut novel by DK Furutani that made me curious of my own family history and racial identity.
When Mikan Road was Ours chronicles a journey of one man’s reconnection and rediscovery of his family’s roots spanning across four generations from the 1930’s to present day. DK Furutani’s debut novel is written beautifully with tenderness and sincerity in its prose and weaves through the bucolic but tragic lives of the Muranos, a Japanese-American family who’s pursuit of the American Dream is cut down by the unfair and bigoted policy of detaining Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II.
Family and the importance of the connections we make with our loved ones are central themes to this novel. Furutani masterfully unpacks and reveals the mystery as the novel progresses of what happened to the Murano men and why at the beginning of the novel - our protagonist (who’s first name is not revealed) has been separated from them. This page-turner kept me on the edge of my seat as a chance encounter with a long lost cousin reveals a memoir that uncovers the hidden memories and events of the lives of the Muranos.
When Mikan Road was Ours is an illustrative example of how immigrants can obtain the American Dream but shows how quickly those dreams can be dashed with oppressive policies rooted in racism and hate- turning a successful self-made man and his family from wealthy and respected land-owning farmers to outcasts overnight.
Although the tragedy of losing the life on the farm with its peaceful koi pond and expansive mandarin groves was a primary focus of the novel; the understated tragedy was the shattering of a once close-knit family, the loss of innocence in children, and the realization that even with many years settled in America, a person can still be considered a foreigner. As a second generation Asian American, my heart was torn and I teared up at how the family was split up and sent to different internment camps. Fururani brings nuance to the difficult decisions that were made by a character prioritizing well-being and career over family while showing how the rest of the family endured over the years as they rebuilt their lives, found love, and had children.
Furutani manages the epic scope of the story and its diverse cast of characters in his novel and each one feels distinct and believable. Our Murano protagonist experiencing his own genealogical revelation and his own modern day racial micro aggressions; the caring and energetic Kaiya - who acts as the glue between the old generation and the new; the academic and aloof engineer, Benjiro, the fun loving Kazuki; the poet Eiko (I love how Furutani gave her prose a distinct style and voice); and the elder brother Tomoya. In Tomoya, Furutani writes perhaps his most complex character, layered with a sense of morality and social justice juxtaposed with having endured some of the deepest and darkest tragedies of the family. Reading about his life stirred up my emotions, and his story was both inspiring and lamentable. His strength was his ability to show great care and compassion but at the same time giving so much to others that he ended up not having anything left emotionally to give to his son Lonnie. Through his eyes and his son’s Lonnie’s we see the erosion of the American dream and the impact of an America that harshly treated and alienated its own citizens. It was a masterful stroke of genius tying this disillusionment to the American dream with the protagonist’s lectures as an English teacher on two books of this archetype - Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Although thoroughly researched this novel doesn’t read like a history book; and the characters are earnest and heartfelt. Through the author’s transformational ability to tell a family story wearing his emotions on his sleeve (one that you may hear at your own dinner table), I felt a connection to these characters as if I was a member of their family.
When Mikan Road Was Ours emphatically advocates for fully embracing your heritage and identity and I wholeheartedly agree - a stellar debut novel by DK Furutani that made me curious of my own family history and racial identity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book gave me chills in a wow kind of way. But a heads up—this is a heavy read.
It follows a man who is broken and grieving. An unnamed member of the Murano family—a "blank canvas" Murano—is spiraling in the aftermath of his own earth-shattering cancer diagnosis while mourning the death of his father. He drinks, he struggles, and he feels increasingly hopeless. Death seems to loom in every corner of his life.
I found the author’s decision not to name the protagonist—referring to him only as “a Murano”—telling. There is a shared thread running through generations of the Murano family, one rooted in the trauma of being sent to Japanese internment camps and having their property seized in the wake of Pearl Harbor. He is, in a way, "every" Murano, even three generations later. It seems every Murano has carried the weight of that history, often manifesting in chronic, terminal illness.
The protagonist, being half white, also feels symbolic, reinforcing the novel’s exploration of a fractured American dream and the painful limits of assimilation. The narrative expands when the protagonist receives his uncle’s abandoned memoir, which becomes a launchpad for intergenerational storytelling. Through it, we learn more about his father, the family he became estranged from, and the history that unknowingly shaped them—particularly the loss of their once-thriving farm and their forced relocation to internment camps. It strongly reminded me of Farewell to Manzanar, I guess because that's my only other real knowledge of this pocket of history that is often swept under the rug.
I won’t lie, this book was deeply depressing. But the novel also shows that trauma isn’t the only thing passed down. There’s also the Murano's humor, love of baseball, and the complicated ways even well-meaning people can carry and transmit pain when their spirits are broken. That’s what makes it so profound. Understanding not just our own past, but the past of those who came before us, gives us context, the experiences of the people who shape our experiences, and that we can only carry so much before it starts to spill over.
It made me wonder whether the novel is, in part, exploring the idea that a sense of wholeness might lie closer to the family’s origins—or whether the “dream” has, in some way, shifted back to Japan. The farm, once lost in America when it was seized from the family, seems almost to reappear in their ancestral homeland, a symbol of prosperity, possibility, and what was lost.
Coupled with his reconnection with Kaiya after nearly two decades, the descendants of siblings divided during Japanese internment, there’s a sense of something being pieced back together—family, history, identity—but in a form that can never be fully restored. Now, the Murano family legacy is one of depression and marked by recurring illness that the "every Murano" protagonist has, adding a layer of bittersweet finality to that feeling.
That contrast, and the "every Murano" protagonist's half-white identity, feels even more poignant. This mixed-race identity could be seen as a symbol of assimilation, a physical representation of the idea of the 'American melting pot"—but now, it almost reads as a continuation of the rupturing the Murano family experienced in the concentration camps, still present several generations later. It underscores the complexity of assimilation and inheritance. And it's hard not to consider the state of the "every Murano" character being deeply depressed generations later, which seems symbolic of the shattering of the American dream, and the jagged realities of American values.
The ending left me with a bittersweet feeling. Despite these small reconciliations—the land back in Japan, the reconnection of the descendants of the divided siblings—there’s a sense that it may already be too late. That some fractures, once made, can never be fully repaired, and every Murano's cancer diagnosis to me is, in a way, a sealing of that fate's finality.
It's been a while since I read something like this. This book sits at the crossroads of Farewell to Manzanar, Grapes of Wrath, and Beloved.
It follows a man who is broken and grieving. An unnamed member of the Murano family—a "blank canvas" Murano—is spiraling in the aftermath of his own earth-shattering cancer diagnosis while mourning the death of his father. He drinks, he struggles, and he feels increasingly hopeless. Death seems to loom in every corner of his life.
I found the author’s decision not to name the protagonist—referring to him only as “a Murano”—telling. There is a shared thread running through generations of the Murano family, one rooted in the trauma of being sent to Japanese internment camps and having their property seized in the wake of Pearl Harbor. He is, in a way, "every" Murano, even three generations later. It seems every Murano has carried the weight of that history, often manifesting in chronic, terminal illness.
The protagonist, being half white, also feels symbolic, reinforcing the novel’s exploration of a fractured American dream and the painful limits of assimilation. The narrative expands when the protagonist receives his uncle’s abandoned memoir, which becomes a launchpad for intergenerational storytelling. Through it, we learn more about his father, the family he became estranged from, and the history that unknowingly shaped them—particularly the loss of their once-thriving farm and their forced relocation to internment camps. It strongly reminded me of Farewell to Manzanar, I guess because that's my only other real knowledge of this pocket of history that is often swept under the rug.
I won’t lie, this book was deeply depressing. But the novel also shows that trauma isn’t the only thing passed down. There’s also the Murano's humor, love of baseball, and the complicated ways even well-meaning people can carry and transmit pain when their spirits are broken. That’s what makes it so profound. Understanding not just our own past, but the past of those who came before us, gives us context, the experiences of the people who shape our experiences, and that we can only carry so much before it starts to spill over.
It made me wonder whether the novel is, in part, exploring the idea that a sense of wholeness might lie closer to the family’s origins—or whether the “dream” has, in some way, shifted back to Japan. The farm, once lost in America when it was seized from the family, seems almost to reappear in their ancestral homeland, a symbol of prosperity, possibility, and what was lost.
Coupled with his reconnection with Kaiya after nearly two decades, the descendants of siblings divided during Japanese internment, there’s a sense of something being pieced back together—family, history, identity—but in a form that can never be fully restored. Now, the Murano family legacy is one of depression and marked by recurring illness that the "every Murano" protagonist has, adding a layer of bittersweet finality to that feeling.
That contrast, and the "every Murano" protagonist's half-white identity, feels even more poignant. This mixed-race identity could be seen as a symbol of assimilation, a physical representation of the idea of the 'American melting pot"—but now, it almost reads as a continuation of the rupturing the Murano family experienced in the concentration camps, still present several generations later. It underscores the complexity of assimilation and inheritance. And it's hard not to consider the state of the "every Murano" character being deeply depressed generations later, which seems symbolic of the shattering of the American dream, and the jagged realities of American values.
The ending left me with a bittersweet feeling. Despite these small reconciliations—the land back in Japan, the reconnection of the descendants of the divided siblings—there’s a sense that it may already be too late. That some fractures, once made, can never be fully repaired, and every Murano's cancer diagnosis to me is, in a way, a sealing of that fate's finality.
It's been a while since I read something like this. This book sits at the crossroads of Farewell to Manzanar, Grapes of Wrath, and Beloved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley*
The best way to describe When Mikan Road Was Ours is a question mark. It is the question mark that I think all children of Asian immigrants have due to the sparse documentation of our ancestors and the inability to know them. This novel follows an unnamed Murano throughout his journey after his great-uncle dies about the battle he has had with his cancer, his father, his fraught relationships with his family, and the tense underlying battle of identity that plagues everyone who tries to assimilate.
Murano himself is a question mark. As I mentioned before, he is never named in the story. We never really know anything about Murano himself, a choice I think the author made intentionally to allow us to project our own experiences on to him. Throughout the novel, we are given sparse details of him. He is an English teacher. He has no friends. He has a dog. He has cancer, and he lost his father. He is incredibly depressed, and he has a drinking problem. He's kind of passively suicidal as in he wouldn't mind if he got hit by a bus. Over the story, I loved how we got to see him happier more. I also appreciated Kaiya's relationship with him. It reminded me a little bit of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow where Sam kept on showing up for Sadie. She kept on trying. While the dialogue came out stilted slightly in modern-day scenes, especially the scenes with Judy, it's mostly a back and forth anthology of experience in the 30s and 40s, and the current tense.
Murano's relationship with his father was my favorite thing to watch. Inextricably linked to his grandfather, it's so distinctly painful. His description of his father's interactions with him, the heart disease that Lonnie unknowingly inherited from Tomoya, the conversation over the baseball jersey. Oh, I loved the conversation over the baseball jersey. How painful is that? Baseball is reoccurring theme throughout the book and to see that little tiny Lonnie hiding behind grown men in the street playing baseball and eventually being humiliated by his own father for playing it even later in life. When we read Ben's anthology, it hits even harder to know that it was Tom that brought Baseball to the Muranos. We know from the start that Lonnie has kind of failed at life. In the authors words, "he paid loans with loans". But now we know why. What crimes committed against him, what shame he lived with, what a distinct feeling of pity we have for him. It is even more curious that Murano, raised in the same way as Lonnie is with an almost single father, retreats into joking in the face of discomfort the way Lonnie did. I thought the most bittersweet moment we had was when we found out that Tomoya did this too.
Once and for all, it is most of a question mark because Murano never really get's his answers. What changed? What made the distant father Tomoya was to Lonnie from the empathetic boy who took a bullet for the workers of the farm at age 14? What happened? The interview, the one that Sophie taped over, would've answered all of that. But maybe the dead should keep some secrets. It's our job to move forward, to learn from them, and go past.
The best way to describe When Mikan Road Was Ours is a question mark. It is the question mark that I think all children of Asian immigrants have due to the sparse documentation of our ancestors and the inability to know them. This novel follows an unnamed Murano throughout his journey after his great-uncle dies about the battle he has had with his cancer, his father, his fraught relationships with his family, and the tense underlying battle of identity that plagues everyone who tries to assimilate.
Murano himself is a question mark. As I mentioned before, he is never named in the story. We never really know anything about Murano himself, a choice I think the author made intentionally to allow us to project our own experiences on to him. Throughout the novel, we are given sparse details of him. He is an English teacher. He has no friends. He has a dog. He has cancer, and he lost his father. He is incredibly depressed, and he has a drinking problem. He's kind of passively suicidal as in he wouldn't mind if he got hit by a bus. Over the story, I loved how we got to see him happier more. I also appreciated Kaiya's relationship with him. It reminded me a little bit of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow where Sam kept on showing up for Sadie. She kept on trying. While the dialogue came out stilted slightly in modern-day scenes, especially the scenes with Judy, it's mostly a back and forth anthology of experience in the 30s and 40s, and the current tense.
Murano's relationship with his father was my favorite thing to watch. Inextricably linked to his grandfather, it's so distinctly painful. His description of his father's interactions with him, the heart disease that Lonnie unknowingly inherited from Tomoya, the conversation over the baseball jersey. Oh, I loved the conversation over the baseball jersey. How painful is that? Baseball is reoccurring theme throughout the book and to see that little tiny Lonnie hiding behind grown men in the street playing baseball and eventually being humiliated by his own father for playing it even later in life. When we read Ben's anthology, it hits even harder to know that it was Tom that brought Baseball to the Muranos. We know from the start that Lonnie has kind of failed at life. In the authors words, "he paid loans with loans". But now we know why. What crimes committed against him, what shame he lived with, what a distinct feeling of pity we have for him. It is even more curious that Murano, raised in the same way as Lonnie is with an almost single father, retreats into joking in the face of discomfort the way Lonnie did. I thought the most bittersweet moment we had was when we found out that Tomoya did this too.
Once and for all, it is most of a question mark because Murano never really get's his answers. What changed? What made the distant father Tomoya was to Lonnie from the empathetic boy who took a bullet for the workers of the farm at age 14? What happened? The interview, the one that Sophie taped over, would've answered all of that. But maybe the dead should keep some secrets. It's our job to move forward, to learn from them, and go past.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Mikan Road Was Ours is a LIVING HISTORY RECORD. Although the character details are fictitious, there is enough solid, factual evidence, historical accounts, and eye witness testimonies cited to bring the main lesson of prejudice to the reader's mind. I felt as if the author was speaking to me, and only me, straight from the pages. I was delighted the entire time that I read it, and honestly could not put it down, but I soon realized that I was referring back to earlier chapters to keep the present characters in the actual story separate from the past characters who were writing, or mentioned within correspondences and conversations within the book, a minor inconvenience that did not lessen my experience.
I could not contain my emotions as the plot constantly rolled, twisted, turned, and then, just when I was getting comfortable, it unexpectedly took a straight nosedive, but ended on a balanced note. It left me wanting more, which is what exceptional literature achieves! It is very rare that a work captures my attention as this one has.
Personally, I had no idea that interment camps existed in America during 1942-1945; this was basically due to unwarranted suspicion after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, enforced by President Hoover's Executive Order 9066. 120,000 Japanese Americans had established families, farms, businesses, and homes that they were forced to sell, lease, liquidate, or forfeit within a very short window of time, resulting in complete loss of assets, dignities, and rights. Some of the prisoners were even registered American Citizens and corporate members of very high stature in their respective communities on the West Coast during the 20th century.
Regardless of the reader's gender, race, age, geographical location, past experiences, financial or professional status, there is something here for everyone, especially historical fiction lovers. This material has not only partially filled in several gaps in my education, but it has opened multiple "rabbit holes" that I delight in exploring.
Here is a challenge: as you read the book, take time to research some of the highlighted events, immigration procedures, key people, American political movements, and documents mentioned by the main character; I promise that your mind will be BLOWN. I am grateful for access to this advance reader copy and have enjoyed providing a factual review; all opinions are my own, and I am eager to see what this author produces next!
I could not contain my emotions as the plot constantly rolled, twisted, turned, and then, just when I was getting comfortable, it unexpectedly took a straight nosedive, but ended on a balanced note. It left me wanting more, which is what exceptional literature achieves! It is very rare that a work captures my attention as this one has.
Personally, I had no idea that interment camps existed in America during 1942-1945; this was basically due to unwarranted suspicion after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, enforced by President Hoover's Executive Order 9066. 120,000 Japanese Americans had established families, farms, businesses, and homes that they were forced to sell, lease, liquidate, or forfeit within a very short window of time, resulting in complete loss of assets, dignities, and rights. Some of the prisoners were even registered American Citizens and corporate members of very high stature in their respective communities on the West Coast during the 20th century.
Regardless of the reader's gender, race, age, geographical location, past experiences, financial or professional status, there is something here for everyone, especially historical fiction lovers. This material has not only partially filled in several gaps in my education, but it has opened multiple "rabbit holes" that I delight in exploring.
Here is a challenge: as you read the book, take time to research some of the highlighted events, immigration procedures, key people, American political movements, and documents mentioned by the main character; I promise that your mind will be BLOWN. I am grateful for access to this advance reader copy and have enjoyed providing a factual review; all opinions are my own, and I am eager to see what this author produces next!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received an Advance Reader's Edition prior to the book's publication from a Goodreads giveway,
A heat wave in South Pasadena, and a high school English teacher. Murano, known by his last name, is living a reclusive life. He recently had surgery for cancer; he is the last male in his family to carry on the family name. His only solace is his newly adopted Sandy, a twelve-year-old bloodhound. He decided to have himself monitored for more cancer instead of chemo so that he could continue teaching. Not close to his mother, and he never felt comfortable with his dad. He felt like he was like his father but did not want to be. His dad would give him a short compliment when he accomplished something, but he never felt love or affection from him. His mother was white, and she left the marriage because of the same thing. He was very alone, with no one to talk to about the cancer or share anything. Growing up, he had very few memories of his relatives, and they kept apart.
Then he is contacted by a cousin. Kaiya. She meets with him and gives him an inheritance from his great uncle, his father's baseball mitt, and an unpublished memoir which discusses the family's history before, during, and after the Japanese internment camps during WWII. He learns so much that he never knew.
At the same time, he is having trouble with one of his students and his dad. The student, Brendan, is slacking off, on his cell phone, texting and playing games during class. Brendan's dad, a pushy man with a lot of political power, says that he is not pleased with Murano's teaching. Their conversations are very uncomfortable for Murano and the reader!
How will learning about his family history affect his solitary life, and how will he deal with the demanding parent?
A note to those with poor vision: The excerpts from the memoir and the letters in this book are written in a different font and in light ink than the rest of the text, so I had trouble reading them with my severe glaucoma. I would have enjoyed listening to the story in audiobook form.
A heat wave in South Pasadena, and a high school English teacher. Murano, known by his last name, is living a reclusive life. He recently had surgery for cancer; he is the last male in his family to carry on the family name. His only solace is his newly adopted Sandy, a twelve-year-old bloodhound. He decided to have himself monitored for more cancer instead of chemo so that he could continue teaching. Not close to his mother, and he never felt comfortable with his dad. He felt like he was like his father but did not want to be. His dad would give him a short compliment when he accomplished something, but he never felt love or affection from him. His mother was white, and she left the marriage because of the same thing. He was very alone, with no one to talk to about the cancer or share anything. Growing up, he had very few memories of his relatives, and they kept apart.
Then he is contacted by a cousin. Kaiya. She meets with him and gives him an inheritance from his great uncle, his father's baseball mitt, and an unpublished memoir which discusses the family's history before, during, and after the Japanese internment camps during WWII. He learns so much that he never knew.
At the same time, he is having trouble with one of his students and his dad. The student, Brendan, is slacking off, on his cell phone, texting and playing games during class. Brendan's dad, a pushy man with a lot of political power, says that he is not pleased with Murano's teaching. Their conversations are very uncomfortable for Murano and the reader!
How will learning about his family history affect his solitary life, and how will he deal with the demanding parent?
A note to those with poor vision: The excerpts from the memoir and the letters in this book are written in a different font and in light ink than the rest of the text, so I had trouble reading them with my severe glaucoma. I would have enjoyed listening to the story in audiobook form.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found this debut novel to be full of fascinating information about Japanese Americans living in the agricultural area that became part of the LA sprawl. It is a story very well told, feeling more like a memoir (which part of it purports to be). What emotional scars do generations carry after the WWII internment camps? And what emotional scars do people of any culture or race carry from parents who are themselves damaged by world events?
This is an important contribution to literature about immigrants of all kinds, especially Japanese ones, and how the personality traits and patterns (as well as the sins) of the fathers are visited upon the sons.
I take away half a star from my review because the book could have used some editing for brevity. I found myself skimming some of the rambling descriptions. Also, there were a lot of characters, all related to one another, and I got them confused. Some characters only enter the story at the very end, a rare literary occurrence. There's a family tree at the beginning of the book, but it was not legible on my Kindle. Too bad, because it would have helped me keep track of the people in the story.
Although this book is really a story of the tragedy and injustice of the US internment camps, it's also really a story of the damage war does to practically anybody it touches. Japanese Americans were treated horribly by their own government. So were all of the Japanese in Japan after the US bombing. But then, so were theChinese, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Indonesians (etc. etc. etc.) civilians by the Japanese in WWII. So are the Gazans right now, and the Ukrainians, and Sudanese. It makes me ponder the basic "humanity" of our species.
You could say that this book is also about the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of family, and how knowledge urges us toward forgiveness.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book.
This is an important contribution to literature about immigrants of all kinds, especially Japanese ones, and how the personality traits and patterns (as well as the sins) of the fathers are visited upon the sons.
I take away half a star from my review because the book could have used some editing for brevity. I found myself skimming some of the rambling descriptions. Also, there were a lot of characters, all related to one another, and I got them confused. Some characters only enter the story at the very end, a rare literary occurrence. There's a family tree at the beginning of the book, but it was not legible on my Kindle. Too bad, because it would have helped me keep track of the people in the story.
Although this book is really a story of the tragedy and injustice of the US internment camps, it's also really a story of the damage war does to practically anybody it touches. Japanese Americans were treated horribly by their own government. So were all of the Japanese in Japan after the US bombing. But then, so were theChinese, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Indonesians (etc. etc. etc.) civilians by the Japanese in WWII. So are the Gazans right now, and the Ukrainians, and Sudanese. It makes me ponder the basic "humanity" of our species.
You could say that this book is also about the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of family, and how knowledge urges us toward forgiveness.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book.
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January 19, 20263.5
I had high hopes for When Mikan Road Was Ours, and while I was genuinely engaged at the beginning, the novel ultimately didn’t land for me as strongly as I’d hoped. The chapters structured as flashbacks frequently pulled me out of the narrative. Because the writing voice remained largely the same across timelines, the shifts lacked clear distinction for me. While I recognize how important and necessary this story is, I found myself struggling to stay fully engaged throughout.
I most enjoyed the sections focused on the protagonist’s present-day struggles, his experience as a teacher and his alienation from his family really resonated for me. However, I didn’t fully believe the emotional connection between him and his cousin, particularly her motivation for reaching out so persistently. That relationship felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to invest in the parallel narrative.
At times, the book felt as though it could be two separate works. And yet, I also believe that its ambition, to weave together intergenerational trauma, war memory, Otherness, and the often overlooked history of Japanese migration to the United States, is very powerful. I did feel traces of that depth, but I missed something that would have made this book into one of my all-time favorites.
I think much of that comes down to execution. The memoir-style chapters didn’t fully captivate me and there were moments where the sequencing felt unclear. It disrupted my reading, often sending me back to double-check if I missed anything. I also wished for more explicit analysis connecting everyday decisions to intergenerational trauma. Overall, despite my criticisms, this remains an intriguing and undeniably important read, one that tackles histories and truths that deserve far more attention.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I had high hopes for When Mikan Road Was Ours, and while I was genuinely engaged at the beginning, the novel ultimately didn’t land for me as strongly as I’d hoped. The chapters structured as flashbacks frequently pulled me out of the narrative. Because the writing voice remained largely the same across timelines, the shifts lacked clear distinction for me. While I recognize how important and necessary this story is, I found myself struggling to stay fully engaged throughout.
I most enjoyed the sections focused on the protagonist’s present-day struggles, his experience as a teacher and his alienation from his family really resonated for me. However, I didn’t fully believe the emotional connection between him and his cousin, particularly her motivation for reaching out so persistently. That relationship felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to invest in the parallel narrative.
At times, the book felt as though it could be two separate works. And yet, I also believe that its ambition, to weave together intergenerational trauma, war memory, Otherness, and the often overlooked history of Japanese migration to the United States, is very powerful. I did feel traces of that depth, but I missed something that would have made this book into one of my all-time favorites.
I think much of that comes down to execution. The memoir-style chapters didn’t fully captivate me and there were moments where the sequencing felt unclear. It disrupted my reading, often sending me back to double-check if I missed anything. I also wished for more explicit analysis connecting everyday decisions to intergenerational trauma. Overall, despite my criticisms, this remains an intriguing and undeniably important read, one that tackles histories and truths that deserve far more attention.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A well written multilayered debut novel about identity, family history, a man finding himself when he discovers his Japanese heritage . It reflects events in American history - the internment of Japanese Americans in camps, as well as providing some light on another facet of Japanese American history, immigrants ties to farming, to land ownership taken away by the California Alien Land Law , their relationship to farm workers’s unions, that I only learned as a result of reading this novel. It’s also a tribute to the author’s family’s “bravery and spirit” along with the 125,000 others rounded up and sent to internment camps .
A man referred to by his last name only, Murano is a lost soul , lonely, grieving, dealing with a health issue, drinking heavily and we know that he is mixed Japanese and white. He has no intimate knowledge of his ancestors . When he inherits his great uncle’s memoir he learns his great grandfather’s story . Chapters alternate between the present and the past in his uncle’s memoir. Then through letters that his grandmother had written discovers his father’s pain and shame from his time in the internment camp at Heart and Mountain. In learning about his family’s past, he discovers who his father was and he discovers who he is . While the author says this is a work of fiction, he personally inherited the memoirs of his own great uncle, making this so much more meaningful. Enticed from the beginning, I enjoyed the writing .
How much is even taught about these events? It’s been many, many years since my high school American history class and I have no memory of any mention of the internment camps or the history of Japanese immigrants and their relationship to the land . A reminder of the importance of remembering our history even when it’s shameful. A reminder that history cannot be rewritten as a matter of convenience as some try to do today .
ARC was provided by Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A man referred to by his last name only, Murano is a lost soul , lonely, grieving, dealing with a health issue, drinking heavily and we know that he is mixed Japanese and white. He has no intimate knowledge of his ancestors . When he inherits his great uncle’s memoir he learns his great grandfather’s story . Chapters alternate between the present and the past in his uncle’s memoir. Then through letters that his grandmother had written discovers his father’s pain and shame from his time in the internment camp at Heart and Mountain. In learning about his family’s past, he discovers who his father was and he discovers who he is . While the author says this is a work of fiction, he personally inherited the memoirs of his own great uncle, making this so much more meaningful. Enticed from the beginning, I enjoyed the writing .
How much is even taught about these events? It’s been many, many years since my high school American history class and I have no memory of any mention of the internment camps or the history of Japanese immigrants and their relationship to the land . A reminder of the importance of remembering our history even when it’s shameful. A reminder that history cannot be rewritten as a matter of convenience as some try to do today .
ARC was provided by Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2026
This book shares an important piece of history about Japanese Americans and the WWII internment camps. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres because it gives a voice to people and stories that are often left out of history books. For me, a sign of great historical fiction is when I pause while reading to look up the events being mentioned. This book had me doing that more than once. It is clear the research was thorough, especially since the author used his great uncle’s memoir to build the story and to learn more about his own family’s immigration from Japan and their lived experiences.
I really enjoyed the multi generational perspective and the dual timeline between past and present. I also liked the different formats, including memoir, letters, and interviews, which helped keep me engaged. The past timeline reads like a memoir, and the present follows a teacher who we only know by his last name. I do wish the voices between the two timelines felt more distinct. The different fonts help, especially for ebook readers who can adjust the text size, but the narrative voices themselves sometimes blended together. The family tree was a helpful addition, and as the story unfolds, you really feel the emotional impact on the family and the generational trauma they carry.
Overall, this is a great book that brings attention to a part of history that is often forgotten or written out of textbooks. I just found myself wanting more from the present day storyline and the current generation.
Thank you Atria and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the multi generational perspective and the dual timeline between past and present. I also liked the different formats, including memoir, letters, and interviews, which helped keep me engaged. The past timeline reads like a memoir, and the present follows a teacher who we only know by his last name. I do wish the voices between the two timelines felt more distinct. The different fonts help, especially for ebook readers who can adjust the text size, but the narrative voices themselves sometimes blended together. The family tree was a helpful addition, and as the story unfolds, you really feel the emotional impact on the family and the generational trauma they carry.
Overall, this is a great book that brings attention to a part of history that is often forgotten or written out of textbooks. I just found myself wanting more from the present day storyline and the current generation.
Thank you Atria and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Estranged family member finds reasons to reconnect at a family funeral.
When Murano (no first name ever used that I recall) gets an invitation from his cousin Kaiya to a family funeral, he doesn’t know quite what to think. His father had been a family outcast, leaving little contact, and it had been 15 years since he and Kaiya had even spoken. None of the family had attended the funeral of Murano’s own father, and his solitary life as an English teacher with a recent cancer diagnosis had left him bitter.
But when Kaiya gives him his inheritance, a baseball mitt and an unpublished memoir written by his great-uncle Benjiro (Kaiya’s grandfather), Murano finds himself getting lost in the family’s challenges including their immigration in the early 20th century and their experiences in the camps Japanese-Americans were forced into during WW2.
I do recommend this book. It does shift back and forth between Murano’s own life and his great-uncle’s memoir. I found myself moved particularly by the experiences the author portrays in the camps, a dark piece of America’s history, and the author’s presentation will leave readers shaking their heads in disbelief. Through it all, Murano is being tossed lifelines by Kaiya, who has also read the memoir, to reconnect with family, and I’ll leave that for other readers to discover.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance copy of this book.
When Murano (no first name ever used that I recall) gets an invitation from his cousin Kaiya to a family funeral, he doesn’t know quite what to think. His father had been a family outcast, leaving little contact, and it had been 15 years since he and Kaiya had even spoken. None of the family had attended the funeral of Murano’s own father, and his solitary life as an English teacher with a recent cancer diagnosis had left him bitter.
But when Kaiya gives him his inheritance, a baseball mitt and an unpublished memoir written by his great-uncle Benjiro (Kaiya’s grandfather), Murano finds himself getting lost in the family’s challenges including their immigration in the early 20th century and their experiences in the camps Japanese-Americans were forced into during WW2.
I do recommend this book. It does shift back and forth between Murano’s own life and his great-uncle’s memoir. I found myself moved particularly by the experiences the author portrays in the camps, a dark piece of America’s history, and the author’s presentation will leave readers shaking their heads in disbelief. Through it all, Murano is being tossed lifelines by Kaiya, who has also read the memoir, to reconnect with family, and I’ll leave that for other readers to discover.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance copy of this book.
January 12, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️ What an incredible debut novel! The first thing I drove to this book was the cover, and upon reading the synopsis I was interested in the story. I read a lot of romance and thrillers so I wasn’t sure if I would like this style of novel, but wow. I truly enjoyed reading this so much and it feels like a story that will stay with me. It’s kind of like a book within a book, with chapters changing between perspectives and characters, which was a unique way to tell the story of a family’s history. The author’s writing style was easy to read and I really felt like I was in the mind of the main character.
I laughed to myself when the main character was googling key events that were coming up in his great-uncle’s memoir because that was the exact same thing I was doing while reading this book. It felt very relatable - when you are learning about historical events through the lens of someone’s live experience and wanting to fully understand everything they are referencing.
It was hard to not be drawn into all aspects of this story. I was keen to continue reading to learn more about Benjiro and his family’s life, but also Murano’s as he discovered more about the family he was meeting for the first time.
The emotional weight of the story kinda sneaked up on me. It felt light and unassuming throughout, but I’m left feeling so grateful for what I have read.
Overall, this was a beautifully told story about the importance of learning about your family’s story and being open to all perspectives of it.
This book will be published July 28, 2026 - I know I’ll be picking up a copy, and I hope you do too.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed to myself when the main character was googling key events that were coming up in his great-uncle’s memoir because that was the exact same thing I was doing while reading this book. It felt very relatable - when you are learning about historical events through the lens of someone’s live experience and wanting to fully understand everything they are referencing.
It was hard to not be drawn into all aspects of this story. I was keen to continue reading to learn more about Benjiro and his family’s life, but also Murano’s as he discovered more about the family he was meeting for the first time.
The emotional weight of the story kinda sneaked up on me. It felt light and unassuming throughout, but I’m left feeling so grateful for what I have read.
Overall, this was a beautifully told story about the importance of learning about your family’s story and being open to all perspectives of it.
This book will be published July 28, 2026 - I know I’ll be picking up a copy, and I hope you do too.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Mikan Road Was Ours follows Murano, a high school English teacher adrift in grief after his father’s sudden death and shaken by his own cancer diagnosis. His days blur together in a haze of grading papers and navigating tense parent conferences—until he inherits his great-uncle Benjiro’s unpublished memoir. What begins as a reluctant obligation transforms into a deeply personal journey as Murano is transported to 1930s California, where his Japanese American family once thrived together on their farm. Through Benjiro’s memories, he encounters relatives he never knew and uncovers the warmth, humor, and quiet strength that defined their lives before everything was upended.
As the memoir traces the family’s incarceration during World War II and the unraveling that followed, Murano is forced to confront the identity he has long kept at arm’s length. The novel beautifully explores belonging, generational trauma, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s heritage. I truly enjoyed the author’s writing style—lyrical yet grounded, rich in historical detail without ever losing emotional intimacy. The characters felt layered and achingly real, and their struggles lingered with me long after I finished the final page. I would gladly read more by this author and look forward to seeing what they write next.
As the memoir traces the family’s incarceration during World War II and the unraveling that followed, Murano is forced to confront the identity he has long kept at arm’s length. The novel beautifully explores belonging, generational trauma, and the courage it takes to reclaim one’s heritage. I truly enjoyed the author’s writing style—lyrical yet grounded, rich in historical detail without ever losing emotional intimacy. The characters felt layered and achingly real, and their struggles lingered with me long after I finished the final page. I would gladly read more by this author and look forward to seeing what they write next.
Review of advance copy
When Mikan Road was Ours is an evocative and deeply moving exploration of one of the most challenging chapters in American history: the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. D. K. Furutani masterfully balances the macro-history of post-Pearl Harbor politics with the intimate, micro-level struggles of a family trying to maintain their dignity, identity, and hope.
What Makes This Book Essential Reading
Authentic Voice & Emotional Depth:
Furutani doesn’t just recount facts; he captures the sensory details of the era—from the scent of the citrus groves on Mikan Road to the stifling dust of the assembly centers. The emotional weight of losing one’s livelihood and "home" is handled with a gentle but firm hand that resonates long after the final page.
Nuanced Characters:
The strength of this novel lies in its characters. Seeing the intergenerational conflict—the Issei (first generation) holding onto their cultural roots while the Nisei (second generation) grapple with their American identity—adds a layer of complexity that feels both authentic and heartbreaking.
A Story of Resilience:
While the book unflinchingly depicts the injustice of the camp detainment, it is ultimately a story of the human spirit. It highlights the concept of Gaman (enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity) and how communities found ways to thrive and support one another even behind barbed wire.
Final Verdict
Rating: ★★★★★
This is more than just a historical novel; it is a necessary bridge to understanding the Japanese American experience. Furutani has written a beautiful tribute to those who lived through the "Mikan Road" era, ensuring their stories are neither forgotten nor silenced. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a powerful story about the endurance of family bonds, this book is a must-read.
"A hauntingly beautiful reminder that even when a road is taken away, the memories and the strength of those who walked it remain."
What Makes This Book Essential Reading
Authentic Voice & Emotional Depth:
Furutani doesn’t just recount facts; he captures the sensory details of the era—from the scent of the citrus groves on Mikan Road to the stifling dust of the assembly centers. The emotional weight of losing one’s livelihood and "home" is handled with a gentle but firm hand that resonates long after the final page.
Nuanced Characters:
The strength of this novel lies in its characters. Seeing the intergenerational conflict—the Issei (first generation) holding onto their cultural roots while the Nisei (second generation) grapple with their American identity—adds a layer of complexity that feels both authentic and heartbreaking.
A Story of Resilience:
While the book unflinchingly depicts the injustice of the camp detainment, it is ultimately a story of the human spirit. It highlights the concept of Gaman (enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity) and how communities found ways to thrive and support one another even behind barbed wire.
Final Verdict
Rating: ★★★★★
This is more than just a historical novel; it is a necessary bridge to understanding the Japanese American experience. Furutani has written a beautiful tribute to those who lived through the "Mikan Road" era, ensuring their stories are neither forgotten nor silenced. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a powerful story about the endurance of family bonds, this book is a must-read.
"A hauntingly beautiful reminder that even when a road is taken away, the memories and the strength of those who walked it remain."
January 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of DK Furutani’s debut novel.
This had all of the makings of a book I normally would love. Dual timelines, generational family trauma, historical fiction, family secrets, but ultimately it lacked a bit in execution, for me.
Here we are following our protagonist, Murano, as he uncovers his family history through his uncle’s unpublished memoir. For me, the current time portions of the book felt forced, and it seemed like the author was trying to somehow relate the events occurring in Murano’s life to the family history, and it didn’t quite land. I really enjoyed the flashbacks, and especially loved the prologue at the beginning of the book. It was written so poetically, I thought I was in for a totally different book than I got.
Murano’s relationship with his cousin also felt emotionless, I wasn’t bought into their dynamic throughout.
Ultimately, I wish this book focused solely on the memoir and the families history, instead of the dueling timelines. Furutani shines during these moments. Overall, a solid debut, I would read another from this author in the future.
This had all of the makings of a book I normally would love. Dual timelines, generational family trauma, historical fiction, family secrets, but ultimately it lacked a bit in execution, for me.
Here we are following our protagonist, Murano, as he uncovers his family history through his uncle’s unpublished memoir. For me, the current time portions of the book felt forced, and it seemed like the author was trying to somehow relate the events occurring in Murano’s life to the family history, and it didn’t quite land. I really enjoyed the flashbacks, and especially loved the prologue at the beginning of the book. It was written so poetically, I thought I was in for a totally different book than I got.
Murano’s relationship with his cousin also felt emotionless, I wasn’t bought into their dynamic throughout.
Ultimately, I wish this book focused solely on the memoir and the families history, instead of the dueling timelines. Furutani shines during these moments. Overall, a solid debut, I would read another from this author in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Absolutely fabulous read. Murano (I'm not sure he ever shares a first name with us.) is a teacher of Japanese descent but knows nothing of his heritage until his grandfather's brother dies and he is contacted by a cousin who gives him her grandfather's memoir to read. He spends the last of the school year wrestling with a past he had been cut off from, cancer, and a domineering parent.
I have a friend who has a similar heritage and I wish she were still here to read it. She, like Murano, had relatives in the camps and in the army. It was a hard time and too largely forgotten.
The Murano family story is handled with honesty and respect. The main character is faced with choices made hard by the world he was raised in. And he makes those choices and then remakes those choices with courage.
This has the potential to be the next great novel. I suggest it should be read by every teacher over summer break and included in their curriculum. It tells a story relatable to broken families and those who have experienced the shame of their ancestors but didn't understand what the shame was or why.
I have a friend who has a similar heritage and I wish she were still here to read it. She, like Murano, had relatives in the camps and in the army. It was a hard time and too largely forgotten.
The Murano family story is handled with honesty and respect. The main character is faced with choices made hard by the world he was raised in. And he makes those choices and then remakes those choices with courage.
This has the potential to be the next great novel. I suggest it should be read by every teacher over summer break and included in their curriculum. It tells a story relatable to broken families and those who have experienced the shame of their ancestors but didn't understand what the shame was or why.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️ I would actually give this 3 1/2 stars, rounded up. Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release copy. This is type of book I normally enjoy-duel timelines and historical fiction. And I love learning about times, places and people that I knew little about. The story is narrated by a young man who learns about his family through journals and writings from family members he never really knew. The part of the story I found most intriguing was the history of his Japanese and Japanese American relatives during World War II. Their incarceration in concentration camps during that time is a horrific part of our history that I don’t think is talked about or taught enough. However, the present part of the book felt forced. That being said, the fact that the author wrote this after learning much about family, just like the narrator did, makes this much more appealing. The characters felt well rounded, and I feel like I got to know them in the end. Except for Murano and Kaiya - that to me was the weakest part of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Atria Books for this ADR of “When Mikan Road Was Ours” by D.K. Furutani. This book is a quiet, emotionally rich novel about a Japanese American family facing the intergenerational impacts of WWII.
At its core, the book explores family dynamics and identity: how silence, shame, and survival strategies get passed down, and how the past shapes the present even when no one talks about it. It is a quiet, introspective novel that values emotional nuance over plot twists, focusing on the difficulty of making the “right” choices when all options are painful. The tone is reflective with moments of sadness/regret, but there is an undercurrent of hope in the attempt to understand and repair what has been broken in the past.
If you are looking for a fast-paced plot or overt drama, this book will not hit that mark. This book is a slower pace and much of the power lies in subtle shifts in relationships and perspective.
Overall this was a great read. I highly recommend!
At its core, the book explores family dynamics and identity: how silence, shame, and survival strategies get passed down, and how the past shapes the present even when no one talks about it. It is a quiet, introspective novel that values emotional nuance over plot twists, focusing on the difficulty of making the “right” choices when all options are painful. The tone is reflective with moments of sadness/regret, but there is an undercurrent of hope in the attempt to understand and repair what has been broken in the past.
If you are looking for a fast-paced plot or overt drama, this book will not hit that mark. This book is a slower pace and much of the power lies in subtle shifts in relationships and perspective.
Overall this was a great read. I highly recommend!
November 30, 2025
Thank you Atria Books and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review D.K. Furutani’s novel When Mikan Road Was Ours. This story uses the layering of generations’ stories of Japanese Americans. It illustrates the complicated history of immigrant and American-born Japanese people in the United States The narrator lives in the present and is dealing with his own issues of work and life and learns about his own mysterious and recently deceased father through the writings of relatives that he didn’t know about. The revelations are revealed through writings, photographs and recordings and help the narrator learn about himself and his place in his own life. All readers of this story can find similar feelings of wanting to discover more about our heritage and the complicated characters in it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this lovingly written book. It tells the story of a lonely, isolated-by-choice Japanese American high school teacher who slowly gets drawn back into learning about his family's history as immigrant farmers in Southern California. We gradually learn the stories of different generations of his family, their struggles, and complicated family relations. Through their stories, we also learn of the hardships and prejudices suffered during WWII, when Japanese residents were rounded up and placed in camps. This is a story of growth and family rapprochement. Furutani does an excellent job of revealing the story gradually, and so the reader comes to understand characters better as the story layers are peeled back. I don't want to say too much about the plot, as I would reveal spoilers. Suffice it to say that I stayed up late each night reading this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Serious books require serious reviews. An old adage that echoed in the back of my head while reading When Mikan Road Was Our was "community requires discomfort", but Furutani's takes this a step further--community requires sharing pain. This novel follows a school teacher who is learning about Japanese American history from the early 1900s onward through the lens of his great-uncle's memoir. It forces him to challenge the prejudices he's held against his own father and grandfather, while also confronting the mistake he's making in his classroom. In addition to phenomenal historical research and epistolary style, this story has a great tug-of-war between personal safety, fatherhood, and community. One or more always have to be sacrificed, and it felt right that the MMC waited until the last chapters to make his own sacrifice, once his family history had emboldened him.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This debut novel from author D.K. Furutani is a revolutionary story of family, identity, and the complicated history of America’s Japanese immigrants. Furutani’s writing is rich with detail and dripping with emotion. They do an excellent job of placing you into the main character’s current life and seamlessly blend into stories from the past. Following the growth of the main character is uplifting and inspiring. There are many relatable topics throughout the story that readers will be able to connect with, particularly connection to family, and feeling out of place. I highly recommend this book, even if it isn’t your typical read, the author does a fantastic job of gripping the reader from the first page to the last.
April 29, 2026
4.5 stars. What an important story to tell. I feel like not many people understand the history of over 125000 people of Japanese heritage that were in the internment camps. I also learned that a large came was at the Santa Anita race track, and am shocked that there isn't more there than a plaque to remind people all that occurred at that location. I found the characters very likable, and the story to be very REAL. Most families have secrets, and people who are generally misunderstood and may be guarded. People are messy, and we're all dealing with our own trauma. I love that the author was inspired by his own family writings about their experiences in the story. Definitely feels very personal.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. This book goes between a Japanese American man who teaches in a high school and is dealing with a cancer diagnosis on his own and then shows us his great-uncle's memoir of boyhood in California during the Pearl Harbor days. In a way, the reader doesn't get all of the answers we seek just as Murano tries to find answers of his own. It's a quiet book, but packs a big punch as it deals with weighty issues in his personal life, his work life, and his family's past. The pressure of being a teacher while dealing with cancer and being pulled back into his estranged family's lives after his father and great-uncle's deaths are a lot for one person to handle.
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