A winner of the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, Obasan powerfully explores the evacuation, relocation, and dispersal of Japanese Canadians during World War II.  Joy Kogawa's first novel, it is based on her own experiences.

 
Born in Vancouver in 1935, Joy Kogawa, like many other Japanese Canadians and Americans, was interned and persecuted with her family during World War II. She is the author of two novels and four volumes of poetry.