Houston attorney Vivienne Schiffer recalls the little-known story of Japanese Americans who were held in an internment camp in Arkansas during WWII in her novel Camp Nine. Schiffer based her book on her mother’s real-life experiences living near the camp. Though fictionalized, Camp Nine captures the essence of the era, when America imprisoned its own citizens based on ethnic heritage. Tension and confusion became part of daily life for both the internees and the townsfolk.
The book is a coming-of-age story; 12-year-old Chess tags along with her mother, who has offered to teach art to the internees. During those lessons, Chess and her mother become friends with one of the families. Chess watches as the family disintegrates (the mother has a nervous breakdown and the son suffers harsh consequences for attempting to woo a local girl). She also sees her mother transformed from a lonely, bored widow into a woman dedicated to seeking justice for the Japanese internees no matter what the social cost.
In real life, Schiffer’s mother is still in contact with some of the families that lived at the camp near her home, some of whom still visit the camp and its graveyard. 7 p.m. Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive. For information, call 281-497-8675 or visit www.bluewillowbookshop.com. Free.
Tue., Nov. 8, 7 p.m., 2011
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.