Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers (Harvest American Writing) [Paperback]

Lois-Ann Yamanaka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1997 | Series: Harvest American Writing

Told in the distinctive rhythms of Hawaiian Creole English, this vibrant...wholly original” coming-of-age tale (Elle) is “a rare book-exuberant, fresh-voiced, rich, crazy, stabbing, comic, and as true-toned as a crystal glass tapped with a knife” (E. Annie Proulx).

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review PW called this Hawaiian coming-of-age story "fresh, distinctive" and "starkly realistic."
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In her debut novel, the author presents the history of a Japanese American family living in Hawaii in the 1970s. The narrator, Lovey Nariyoshi, tells her story of growing up in a white ("haole") culture that keeps her family segregated. "No japs on TV," observes Lovey, "except Mrs. Livingston and Kay-to." This engrossing novel is strongly woven together, with chapters that swing from the heartfelt, childhood memories of Lovey's father, Hubert, to the fiendish behavior of her neighbors. Hawaiian Creole is dispersed effectively with English, further corroborating the fervent characters and their stories. By focusing decisively on her own distinct culture, the author successfully uncovers the damaging restrictions of American culture at large. This commanding novel should delight and haunt every reader. Unconditionally recommended for every library collection.?David A. Berona, Westbrook Coll. Lib., Portland, Me.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (April 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156004836
• ISBN-13: 978-0156004831
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,868,750 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book with Broad Cross-Over Appeal, June 14, 2000

By 

A. G. McFarlane "AGMcF" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers (Harvest American Writing) (Paperback)

I just bought this book in Hawaii yesterday and read it all the way back to Baltimore with Israel Kamakawiwo'le (Bradda IZ) live-in-concert CD playing on my portable CD player. The combination brought Yanamaka's beautiful, poignant and powerful dialogue alive for me. This book resonated for me in so many ways -- as an African American tourist in an island where there was complex commingling and separation of the ethnic groups as well as a heirarchical order to the society based on ethnic origin and appearance. I also identified with the book as a daughter of Jamaican immigrants who carefully spoke in "correct" English to their children but spoke Jamaican patois (the equivalent of Lovey's pidgin, Creole Hawaiian) with each other and with family members. I picked up early on that how you sound and how you look affects your standing in society and now speak perfect English but mourn my inability to speak patois. So I empathize with Lovey's despair of every being able to speak perfect haole English.

But what probably got me the most was Yanamaka's hauntingly detailed description of Lovey's rapture with Shirley Temple's Heidi. It resonated strongly with my childhood love of Shirley's perfect ringlets, cherubic smile, and her love for Grandpa and her finding her father in that hospital ward in London.

If you had an awkward adolescence (particularly in the 1970s) and struggled to fit in while struggling to be yourself, this is the book for you.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Growing up poor in Hawaii, November 22, 1998

By 

Linda Linguvic (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers (Hardcover)

Lois Ann Yamanaka's voice is forceful, vibrant and original, and her female heroine, Lovey Nariyoski, a 12-year old with something to say, grabs our attention as well as our hearts, as she describes the details of her life and her working class family. She yearns to be a "Haole" (white) and live in a house that uses bendable straws for every drink. She is embarrassed when she first gets her period. She watches as her father kills animals for food or skins and her descriptions of the details of their slaughter are straightforward and unflinching.

All of the dialogue is in pidgin. I didn't understand every word, but the language was necessary to get the flavor of the islands. I suspect that many of the chapters were originally written as short pieces because then tend to be complete in themselves, and basically tell the story of growing up poor in Hawaii.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Quick Read, March 2, 2006

By 

R. Potter (Fairbanks, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers: A Novel (Paperback)

With very endearing characters, Lois-Ann Yamanaka has written an enjoyable, heartfelt coming of age story. This book is a wonderful way to pass a rainy (or snowy), cold weekend. However, I have to admit that I don't necessarily find 'Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers' a must-read, but it is perfect if you're looking for some 'light' reading.