Lois-Ann Yamanaka
Encyclopedia
Lois-Ann Yamanaka is a Japanese-American poet and novelist from Hawaii. Many of her critically acclaimed literary works are written in Hawaiian Pidgin
, and some of her writing has dealt with controversial ethnic issues. In particular, her works confront themes of Asian American families and the local culture of Hawaii.
Both of her parents were school teachers, though her father later became a taxidermist. Following in her parents footsteps, Lois-Ann also joined them in their passion for education: In 1983, she received a Bachelor’s Degree, and in 1987 her Master's Degree, both in Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
She completed her first book, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, in 1993, which, was coined "'witty' and 'street-smart'" by Kiana Davenport in Women's Review of Books. The novel, "composed of four verse novellas narrated by working-class Hawaiian teenagers...explore(d) such subjects as ethnic identity, sexual awakening, drug use, and abusive relationships." Lawrence Chua, of the Voice Literary Supplement, wrote, "Her poetry is enabled by its elegant structure as much as its indolent diction. Saturday Night is not a lonely specimen of street life but a bold push at the borders of meaning and memory." After its publication in 1993, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre received several awards including the Pushcart Prize for poetry and later, the fiction award given by the Association for Asian American Studies
.
In 1996, Yamanaka’s second book, Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers, again told through the Pidgin dialect, was a coming-of-age story made up of, "a series of connected vignettes", that, "examin(ed) larger issues of class and ethnicity". Lauren Belfer, of the New York Times Book Review, claimed the book to be, "somewhat impenetrable"...leaving "haunting images" in the minds of readers.
Again in 1997, Yamanaka completed her third book, Blu’s Hanging 'which created even more of an uproar among Asian American critics. As the novel treated characters of both Filipino and Japanese American backgrounds within the Hawaiin landscape, she was given the Asian American Studies National Book Award in 1998, however, it was annulled almost immediately after because of her lack of censorship in a stereotypical context. Other well-known Asian American authors such as Amy Tan
and Maxine Hong Kingston
emerged in support of Yamanaka during the controversy. The work was deemed, "a well-wrought but painful work" by Anna Quan Leon in the Library Journal. In defending herself and work, Yamanaka spoke out against criticism in telling, "Newsweek reporter Donna Foote that 'the distinction between the narrator and the author is not being made'".
Following Blu's Hanging, Yamanaka published, Heads by Harry', which dealt with homosexuality and gender identity issues. The book received mixed reviews; "to some extent, Yamanaka has replaced racism with sexism and homophobia, 'safer topics'", concluded Nation reviewer Mindy Pennybacker. However, Michael Porter, the New York Times Book Review critic applauded Yamanaka's efforts in stating, "{she} delivers a precise look at this vibrant 'Japanese-American' culture yet still speaks to anyone who has experienced the joy, security and small humiliations of family life".
Name Me Nobody was her fourth book geared towards a much more adolescent-based audience. In illustrating the difficulties of young 'teenhood' and the surrounding superficialities, the "'vignettes of young girlhood praised for their vivid images and expert distillation of language' related a Horn Book reviewer..'Yamanaka provides young adult literature with a fresh and welcome voice "noteworthy for its complexity and richness'."
In 2004, Silent Years, a short film based on Yamanaka's screenplay was released. Silent Years is the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who finds herself caught between her abusive uncle and older boyfriend. Based upon two poems from her collection, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, is described as a "brutal coming-of-age story". The film was locally produced and directed by Honolulu-native and University of Southern California
film school graduate, James Sereno.
In 2006, Yamanaka explored a spiritual approach in the novel, Behold the Many', which is set on the island of Oahu. In the book, a young woman is haunted by ghosts which ends in what a Kirkus Review contributor called a, "beautifully tragic" outcome. Carol Haggas, of Booklist wrote the book was a, "richly atmospheric novel which paints a chillingly spectral portrait of souls tormented by love and guilt."
An excerpt from Yamanaka's next work have been released. According to the April 2007 issue of Honolulu Magazine
Yamanaka's upcoming novel has been given the working title of The Mother Mary Storieshttp://www.honolulumagazine.com/currentmonth.aspx?id=17.
.
"Yamanaka once said,' My work involves bringing to the page the utter complexity, ferocious beauty and sometimes absurdity of our ethnic relationships here in the islands. The way we language about each other and with each other in 'talk story' communities resonates in me with every word I write. I know this because as my friend Lisa Asagi says, 'It's impossible to ban the sound of memory'."
language, she also attributes much of her work to the other authors who have inspired and influenced her. In an interview, Yamanaka states what a huge influence reading William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury
has had on her. In no way does Yamanaka compare her work to that of Faulkner, only that such works help keep her humble and rooted. She describes her experience as, "In the presence of this genius, I felt embarrassed." (216) Yamanaka also cites June Jordan
, Ai
, Thulanie Davis, and Jessica Hagedorn
as major inspirations in terms of their use of voice in poetry. In general, Yamanaka counts herself lucky to be in the same category as other female Asian American writers such as Maxine Hong Kingston
and Amy Tan
.
Hawaiian Pidgin
Hawaii Pidgin English, Hawaii Creole English, HCE, or simply Pidgin, is a creole language based in part on English used by many "local" residents of Hawaii. Although English and Hawaiian are the co-official languages of the state of Hawaii, Pidgin is used by many Hawaii residents in everyday...
, and some of her writing has dealt with controversial ethnic issues. In particular, her works confront themes of Asian American families and the local culture of Hawaii.
Early years
Lois-Ann Yamanaka was born September 7, 1961 in Ho’olehua, Molokai, Hawaii. Her parents, Harry and Jean Yamanaka, raised her and her four younger sisters in the sugar plantation town of Pahala.Both of her parents were school teachers, though her father later became a taxidermist. Following in her parents footsteps, Lois-Ann also joined them in their passion for education: In 1983, she received a Bachelor’s Degree, and in 1987 her Master's Degree, both in Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Career
Yamanaka then went on to become an English and Language Arts resource teacher. Inspired by her own students' honesty demonstrated within poetry assignments, she began writing on her own. Little did she know she would become a breakthrough writer who would receive significant criticism after expressing minority and racial issues experienced by herself and others alike within the Pidgin speaking community of Hawaii.She completed her first book, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, in 1993, which, was coined "'witty' and 'street-smart'" by Kiana Davenport in Women's Review of Books. The novel, "composed of four verse novellas narrated by working-class Hawaiian teenagers...explore(d) such subjects as ethnic identity, sexual awakening, drug use, and abusive relationships." Lawrence Chua, of the Voice Literary Supplement, wrote, "Her poetry is enabled by its elegant structure as much as its indolent diction. Saturday Night is not a lonely specimen of street life but a bold push at the borders of meaning and memory." After its publication in 1993, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre received several awards including the Pushcart Prize for poetry and later, the fiction award given by the Association for Asian American Studies
Association for Asian American Studies
The Association for Asian American Studies is an organization founded in 1979 to promote teaching and research in Asian American Studies. Its official journal is the Journal of Asian American Studies....
.
In 1996, Yamanaka’s second book, Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers, again told through the Pidgin dialect, was a coming-of-age story made up of, "a series of connected vignettes", that, "examin(ed) larger issues of class and ethnicity". Lauren Belfer, of the New York Times Book Review, claimed the book to be, "somewhat impenetrable"...leaving "haunting images" in the minds of readers.
Again in 1997, Yamanaka completed her third book, Blu’s Hanging 'which created even more of an uproar among Asian American critics. As the novel treated characters of both Filipino and Japanese American backgrounds within the Hawaiin landscape, she was given the Asian American Studies National Book Award in 1998, however, it was annulled almost immediately after because of her lack of censorship in a stereotypical context. Other well-known Asian American authors such as Amy Tan
Amy Tan
Amy Tan is an American writer whose works explore mother-daughter relationships. Her most well-known work is The Joy Luck Club, which has been translated into 35 languages...
and Maxine Hong Kingston
Maxine Hong Kingston
Maxine Hong Kingston is a Chinese American author and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a BA in English in 1962. Kingston has written three novels and several works of non-fiction about the experiences of Chinese immigrants living in the United...
emerged in support of Yamanaka during the controversy. The work was deemed, "a well-wrought but painful work" by Anna Quan Leon in the Library Journal. In defending herself and work, Yamanaka spoke out against criticism in telling, "Newsweek reporter Donna Foote that 'the distinction between the narrator and the author is not being made'".
Following Blu's Hanging, Yamanaka published, Heads by Harry', which dealt with homosexuality and gender identity issues. The book received mixed reviews; "to some extent, Yamanaka has replaced racism with sexism and homophobia, 'safer topics'", concluded Nation reviewer Mindy Pennybacker. However, Michael Porter, the New York Times Book Review critic applauded Yamanaka's efforts in stating, "{she} delivers a precise look at this vibrant 'Japanese-American' culture yet still speaks to anyone who has experienced the joy, security and small humiliations of family life".
Name Me Nobody was her fourth book geared towards a much more adolescent-based audience. In illustrating the difficulties of young 'teenhood' and the surrounding superficialities, the "'vignettes of young girlhood praised for their vivid images and expert distillation of language' related a Horn Book reviewer..'Yamanaka provides young adult literature with a fresh and welcome voice "noteworthy for its complexity and richness'."
In 2004, Silent Years, a short film based on Yamanaka's screenplay was released. Silent Years is the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who finds herself caught between her abusive uncle and older boyfriend. Based upon two poems from her collection, Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, is described as a "brutal coming-of-age story". The film was locally produced and directed by Honolulu-native and University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
film school graduate, James Sereno.
In 2006, Yamanaka explored a spiritual approach in the novel, Behold the Many', which is set on the island of Oahu. In the book, a young woman is haunted by ghosts which ends in what a Kirkus Review contributor called a, "beautifully tragic" outcome. Carol Haggas, of Booklist wrote the book was a, "richly atmospheric novel which paints a chillingly spectral portrait of souls tormented by love and guilt."
An excerpt from Yamanaka's next work have been released. According to the April 2007 issue of Honolulu Magazine
Honolulu Magazine
-History:In 1888, when Hawaii was still a monarchy, King Kalākaua commissioned a magazine under royal charter to be Hawaii's ambassador to the world. That magazine was Paradise of the Pacific. For nearly a century, Paradise of the Pacific promoted local business and tourism by assuring citizens of...
Yamanaka's upcoming novel has been given the working title of The Mother Mary Storieshttp://www.honolulumagazine.com/currentmonth.aspx?id=17.
Current
Lois-Ann Yamanaka is currently married to John Inferrera. In between writing, she and her husband continue to teach. Together they have a son, John jr. and live in Honolulu, Hawaii. Lois-Ann also is co-owner of a writing school, Na`au..
As an Author
"Lois-Ann Yamanaka's fiction focuses on young, working-class Japanese-Americans from Hawaii who struggle with such typical issues of adolescence as sexual development and peer acceptance while coming to terms with their cultural identity as the descendants of Japanese immigrant laborers.""Yamanaka once said,' My work involves bringing to the page the utter complexity, ferocious beauty and sometimes absurdity of our ethnic relationships here in the islands. The way we language about each other and with each other in 'talk story' communities resonates in me with every word I write. I know this because as my friend Lisa Asagi says, 'It's impossible to ban the sound of memory'."
Influences
While Yamanaka believes that her characters "know the sound of their own voice," and admits to being highly inspired by her own experiences growing up amongst Hawaii life and culture, including the pidginPidgin
A pidgin , or pidgin language, is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups that do not have a language in common. It is most commonly employed in situations such as trade, or where both groups speak languages different from the language of the...
language, she also attributes much of her work to the other authors who have inspired and influenced her. In an interview, Yamanaka states what a huge influence reading William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury
The Sound and the Fury is a novel written by the American author William Faulkner. It employs a number of narrative styles, including the technique known as stream of consciousness, pioneered by 20th century European novelists such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. Published in 1929, The Sound and...
has had on her. In no way does Yamanaka compare her work to that of Faulkner, only that such works help keep her humble and rooted. She describes her experience as, "In the presence of this genius, I felt embarrassed." (216) Yamanaka also cites June Jordan
June Jordan
June Millicent Jordan was a Caribbean American poet, novelist, journalist, biographer, dramatist, teacher and committed activist...
, Ai
Ai
AI, A.I., Ai, or ai may refer to:- Computers :* Artificial intelligence, a branch of computer science* Ad impression, in online advertising* .ai, the ISO Internet 2-letter country code for Anguilla...
, Thulanie Davis, and Jessica Hagedorn
Jessica Hagedorn
Jessica Tarahata Hagedorn is a Filipino-American playwright, writer, poet, storyteller, musician, and multimedia performance artist.-Biography:...
as major inspirations in terms of their use of voice in poetry. In general, Yamanaka counts herself lucky to be in the same category as other female Asian American writers such as Maxine Hong Kingston
Maxine Hong Kingston
Maxine Hong Kingston is a Chinese American author and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a BA in English in 1962. Kingston has written three novels and several works of non-fiction about the experiences of Chinese immigrants living in the United...
and Amy Tan
Amy Tan
Amy Tan is an American writer whose works explore mother-daughter relationships. Her most well-known work is The Joy Luck Club, which has been translated into 35 languages...
.
List of works
Among her principal works are:- Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre, a book of poems written in Hawaiian Pidgin (1993)
- Wild Meat and the Bully BurgersWild Meat and the Bully BurgersWild Meat and the Bully Burgers is a Japanese American-Hawaiian-Adult Fiction novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka. Its tonality is distinctive to that of a local Hawaiian culture in that all the main characters speak in Hawaiian Pidgin. Although it is an adult fiction novel, the plot follows a young...
(1996) - Blu's HangingBlu's HangingBlu's Hanging is a 1997 coming of age novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka. It follows the Ogata family after the death of their mother, as each family member struggles to come to terms with their grief...
(1997) - Heads by Harry (1998)
- Name Me Nobody (2000)
- Father of the Four Passages (2001)
- The Heart's Language (2005)
- Behold the Many (2006)
Awards
- National Endowment for the HumanitiesNational Endowment for the HumanitiesThe National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
grant, 1990 - Pushcart PrizePushcart PrizeThe Pushcart Prize is an American literary prize by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. Magazine and small book press editors are invited to nominate up to 6 works they have featured....
for Poetry, 1993 - Carnegie FoundationCarnegie Corporation of New YorkCarnegie Corporation of New York, which was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding," is one of the oldest, largest and most influential of American foundations...
Grant, 1994 - National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the ArtsThe National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
grant, 1994 - Pushcart Prize, 1994
- Rona JaffeRona JaffeRona Jaffe was a popular American novelist, publishing numerous works from 1958-2003. She may have been best known for her controversial novel, Mazes and Monsters...
Award for Women Writers, 1996 - LannanLannan Literary AwardsThe Lannan Literary Awards are a series of awards and literary fellowships given out in various fields by the Lannan Foundation. Established in 1989, the awards are meant "to honor both established and emerging writers whose work is of exceptional quality", according to the foundation...
Literary Award, 1998 - Asian American Literary Award, 1998.
Other publications
- Yamanaka, Lois-Ann. "This Man Is an Island." The New York Times 18 Jan. 2009, Opinion sec.: WK14. Print.
- Yamanaka, Lois-Ann. "Sunnyside Up." Chicago Review, Vol. 39, No. 3/4, A North Pacific Rim Reader (1993), pp. 175–178, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25305741