Literature Library author

Joy Kogawa

A concise guide to Joy Kogawa's body of work, major titles, and recurring themes.

AP-referenced author
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Novel
Indexed works
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Author overview

Joy Kogawa (born 1935) is a novelist and poet whose body of work spans novels. This writing is associated with Canada. Major works and useful reading starting points include Obasan. Key themes include Speech, silence, and listening, Memory as public history, Home, property, and belonging, and Protection and withheld truth.

Reading pathway

Begin with Obasan.

Representative starting points

Obasan

After her uncle's death, Naomi Nakane reads the records of her family's forced removal and finally learns what silence protected, what it concealed, and what Canada must remember.

All published guides by this author

Biography, authority, and bibliography sources

This independent author guide supports reading and discussion. Curriculum badges show useful AP or IB connections without making this an official AP or IB publication.