The Block Manager: A True Story of Love in the Midst of Japanese American Internment Camps

by Judy Mundle

The Block Manager is the gripping memoir of Janet, an American-born child of Japanese immigrants. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Janet’s life in California was uprooted when thousands of Japanese Americans on the West Coast—including Janet’s family—were forced into internment camps. Because of her brilliant command of English and Japanese, she was assigned the job of block manager. Janet was shuffled between three camps, got married, and had a child while the war raged on.
After enduring the psychological strain of forced incarceration, her very survival was threatened when she joined her husband in post-war Japan as famine gripped the country. Janet remained an American patriot through all her ordeals, holding on to the dream of reuniting with her family in the US. The Block Manager beautifully captures the uncertainty surrounding the internment camps and the gaman—patience with dignity—of the detainees.

294 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Japanese US citizen internment into concentration camps sits on the periphery of most history lessons about the United States experience in WWII. The idea that the President Roosevelt would have authorized that US citizens be placed in concentration camps—especially during the shadow of the Holocaust—seems out of sync with American ideals of all people being equal under the law. But in The Block Manager, a true story of one woman’s incarceration and her experiences following the war, this forgotten American chapter comes to life. Author Judy Mundle takes on the voice of Janet, the American-born daughter of Japanese immigrants, whose fluency in both Japanese and English is valued by US authorities. She’s given the job of Block Manager, or overseer, over barracks in her first internment camp. Ultimately Janet marries, has a baby and is moved into two other camps before the war ends. Her Japanese-born husband is forced to move back to Japan and to join him she must renounce her US citizenship. Through her eyes we see the devastation caused by the Hiroshima atomic bomb and the little-reported aftermath of the war on the Japanese people. Janet’s unique position of being both American and Japanese adds waves of depth to her story as she struggles to reconcile ideas of American freedom with traditional Japanese social order. Prejudice, suspicion, faith, dignity, family all jostle in her surprising life.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and moving memoir.

The construction of the story is sound, the story linear and compelling. The kindness and intelligence of the protagonist shines through and the writer brilliantly captures her “Gaman.”

I was deeply moved and fully engaged with this woman’s story, and that of her family. I was particularly moved by the actions of the people of St. Louis after the war, when they welcomed the formerly interred Japanese and Japanese Americans. It made me feel very warmly towards the city and now I would like to visit there someday; it sounds like a very nice place indeed.

I found zero errors or formatting issues, the writing was clear and precise, the story well framed, the book was brilliant and flawless.

[Loralei Standish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The through line of this book is the Japanese philosophy of Gaman, enduring unimaginable hardship with patience and grace. The terrible trials Janet endured over the course of her internment and later, her life in post war Japan, are honestly overwhelming. She truly sounds like an amazing, kind and generous individual. Learning about her story is so relevant to facing the uncertain future of the country today, and the interwoven feelings of loving and being betrayed by your country at the same time. Very interesting read, and by a local Saint Louis author, which I love.

[Judy Newman]

Enjoyed reading this true story of Janet and her family during their time in internment camps in the US. A very difficult time for all Japanese people in all of North America. Worth taking the time to read this book for a better understanding of what these families went through leaving their homes, many never recovered their original property or belongings. Would this happen in today's world in North America? I think not....hopefully not...

[Jolie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and fascinating biography! I learned so much about WWII and the Japanese internment camps and about Jan who seemed like a very special person with an extraordinary life. Quick read - would highly recommend!

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book and learned so much history I never really thought about before.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from Janet's story. She was very brave and caring in her time of adversity. Judy Mundle did a great job of writing her life story.

[Jendett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about the life of an interned Japanese woman who becomes a liaison between her people and the USA.