Previous to visiting the Kogawa Fonds at the Rare Books and Special Collections reading room, I had come to the understanding that the book Obasan written by Joy Kogawa was undoubtedly well received right from the beginning and embraced by publishers and readers alike. It was shocking when I discovered the magnitude of Kogawa’s struggle while producing her book.
At the RBSC reading room, I encountered a document from a publisher written in 1980, the document was an edited and critiqued draft of Obasan, by who I later learned was the publisher that finally produced the book. The document was generally positive and offered constructive feedback, but the few negative comments mostly related to the quantity of historical content and the prominent role of the Aunt Emily character. The publisher was persistent in their advice to lessen Aunt Emily’s role. This theme of dislike for Aunt Emily carried into the majority of the other documents that I examined.
The other documents were rejection letters for the publication of Obasan by a collection of publishing houses. Each rejection letter had the common criticism that the historical evidence was far too dreary or tedious as well as the dislike for Aunt Emily; many of the publishers mentioned how her character needed to be minimized. The rejection letter from Doubleday Canada Limited states that they “see problems with the marketing of this story” which I believe could stem from the apprehension to discuss a shameful period of Canada’s history. Kogawa wanted to share the story of the Japanese internment and urge a recognition of the atrocities in hopes to help heal the disregarded pain. Publishers seemed to be hesitant to be at the forefront of a notion of reconciliation for those affected by the internment. I do understand that publishing companies focus on the financial success of the book and their concern for selling copies could override their will to share the story. Though I feel that the important story that Obasan shares is extremely valuable and should have been released faster.
The letter from the publisher who ultimately published the book urges Kogawa to create a “I just couldn’t put it down feeling” and make Obasan able to “be read in one sitting.” The advice relates to another document I read, a letter from the Prime Minister replying to the copy of Obasan that Kogawa had sent. The letter back mentions how he will read it “hopefully during [his] summer holiday.” The belief that the book is light reading and should be a fast read speaks to how the Japanese internment had not been addressed or given much serious thought. It saddens me to think of how difficult it was for Kogawa and others to bring attention to Canada’s dark past and an attempt at resolution.
Living my entire life in the Vancouver area and having numerous close friends whose grandparents and great-grandparents were interned has given me some idea of what happened but by reading Obasan and by visiting the Kogawa Fonds I have gained a deeper understanding of the atrocities committed and the journey to reconciliation.
Kogawa, Joy. Obasan. Penguin Canada, 2017.
http://rbscarchives.library.ubc.ca/index.php/joy-kogawa-fonds;rad