Julie Otsuka Books in Order

Julie Otsuka is a critically acclaimed novelist known for her poignant and lyrical portrayals of the human experience. Born and raised in California, she initially pursued a career as a painter before turning to fiction writing at 30. Otsuka holds an MFA from Columbia, and her impressive body of work has earned her a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Asian American Literary Award, and the American Library Association Alex Award. Her debut novel, <i>When the Emperor Was Divine</i>, is a powerful exploration of Japanese-American history during World War II, drawing heavily from her own family's experiences. The book has been translated into six languages, selling over 250,000 copies, and has been hailed as a "resonant and beautifully nuanced achievement" by <i>The New York Times</i> and a "gem of a book" by <i>USA Today</i>. It has become a staple in educational institutions, assigned to incoming freshmen at over 35 colleges and universities, and remains a popular 'Community Reads' selection across the US.