Eyes of the Emperor Audiobook By Graham Salisbury cover art

Eyes of the Emperor

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Eyes of the Emperor

By: Graham Salisbury
Narrated by: Robert Ramirez
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After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Eddy Okubo, a Japanese American teenager, is more determined than ever to prove his loyalty and worth as an American soldier. Graham Salisbury poignantly pens the historically accurate but fictional account of the special mission given to 26 Japanese American soldiers in the midst of WWII and a young man’s struggle between heritage and patriotism.

©2005 Graham Salisbury (P)2006 Recorded Books Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Fiction Friendship Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Imperial Japan

Critic reviews

"Morally and psychologically complex, historically accurate and unforgettably gripping." ( Kirkus Reviews)

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Featured Article The Best Young Adult Audiobooks to Listen to as a Grown Woman
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I wasn't familiar with this part of WWII. I read the first half on kindle and then listened to the second half. The story is straightforward, told from the POV of a 16-year-old boy. The author did an excellent job of creating the setting and character development. Once the soldiers arrive at Cat Island, I was in a constant state of anxiety. I was reading/listening with a student I tutor, so I was listening and putting myself in Eddy's shoes, processing as myself, and anticipating how my 12 year-old student might be thinking/feeling. I couldn't help but extrapolate the learned behavior of hate from the animals to humans: to societies, to entire populations and eras in history. It made me sick to my stomach. So, well done, Graham Salisbury.

As for the narration, I felt the tone was too aggressive throughout. There were times when it was definitely appropriate, but it never varied. I also had a difficult time with the inconsistency of chapter breaks, and the audible throat-clearing and swallowing of the narrator, as well as page turns and maybe mic hits? I kinda wanted to claw my eardrums out at times. But then I just started listening in the car while I was driving so the engine noise would drown those things out.

As the story reached climax and resolution, I was completely hooked, and stayed up late in the night to finish. Overall, it's an excellent read if you can get past the narration.

Important, but difficult to listen to at times

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