"No-No Boy" (novel)

"No-No Boy" is a novel by John Okada that explores the struggles of Japanese Americans who faced discrimination during and after World War II. The story centers on Ichiro Yamaguchi, a man who, after being imprisoned for refusing to serve in the U.S. military, struggles with feelings of shame, identity, and loyalty. The term “no-no boy” refers to Japanese Americans who answered “no” to two specific questions on loyalty surveys, which branded them as untrustworthy by their community. The novel highlights themes of racial prejudice, internal conflict, and the quest for self-understanding amid societal rejection.