Play Book Tag discussion

From Amazon: As a Korean student in a Japanese high school, Sugihara has had to defend himself against all kinds of bullies. But nothing could have prepared him for the heartache he feels when he falls hopelessly in love with a Japanese girl named Sakurai. Immersed in their shared love for classical music and foreign movies, the two gradually grow closer and closer. One night, after being hit by personal tragedy, Sugihara reveals to Sakurai that he is not Japanese—as his name might indicate.

This is much more than a YA love story describing two star crossed lovers. The author has done a wonderful job of weaving the modern love story aspect with some historical information without losing the magic of the narrative. It was touching and humorous. The translation was done is such a smooth manner I never noticed anything that didn't make sense as I read.

Until I read this book I had no idea that many Japanese engaged in this form of deeply ingrained institutional racism, that even today, denies many Japanese born Koreans Japanese passports. Go won the 2000 Naoki Prize and is being published by Amazon Crossings March 1st. If you have a Kindle Unlimited Subscription you can borrow it for free. I hope you get a chance to read this beautifully written coming of age story set in Japan.