They Called Us Enemy

They Called Us Enemy is a 2019 graphic novel that is a collaboration by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker. It is about his experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II. It is published by Top Shelf Productions.

They Called Us Enemy
First edition cover
AuthorGeorge Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott
IllustratorHarmony Becker
LanguageEnglish
SubjectInternment of Japanese Americans during World War II
GenreMemoir, Graphic novel
PublisherTop Shelf Productions
Publication date
July 16, 2019
ISBN9781603094504

The writing was done by Takei, Eisinger, and Scott, with Becker creating the grey-scale, manga-inspired illustrations.[1][2]

The memoirs focusing on Takei's time as a child take up the bulk of the work, and the "harsh reality" and "minutiae of daily life" occur back and forth.[3] Throughout the book, "Takei describe[s] how these early experiences in the camps shaped his subsequent coming of age both in the theater and in politics."[1]

A Spanish-language translation of the book was released in June 2020,[4] as well as an expanded edition in July 2020 including bonus material.[1]

Creation and conception

The book's writing began in the beginning part of 2017, and in the same part of 2018 the writing process concluded.[5]: 215  In the latter year, the producers of the comic hired the artist.[5]: 216 

The writers used Allegiance and To The Stars as inspiration. The research process involved books, documents, film, and photographic works.[5]: 215  Clip Studio Paint was used to create the artwork, and the work intended to have inspiration from American artwork and Japanese artwork.[5]: 216 

Reception

They Called Us Enemy is a New York Times bestselling book.[6]

The book was generally well-received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[7] Kirkus Reviews,[6] and Publishers Weekly.[8]

Kirkus Reviews stated that the work is "A powerful reminder of a history" and that the images "effectively convey the intense emotions and the stark living conditions."[6] Booklist's Sarah Hunter also discussed the images, stating, "Becker’s spare, fine-lined, manga-inspired artwork focuses intently on faces and body language, keeping the story centered in the realm of the personal."[7] Hunter concluded by writing, "This approachable, well-wrought graphic memoir is important reading, particularly in today’s political climate."[7]

Publishers Weekly wrote, "Giving a personal view into difficult history, Takei’s work is a testament to hope and tenacity in the face of adversity."[8]

Writing for The New York Times, Ed Park praised the "pure" "power of the story" and how the artwork is "clear, empathic."[2] However, according to Park, the shifting to the past and the present day occurs too often, and due to so many people collaborating on the work at the same time, "There are some glitches."[2]

Michael Cavna of the Washington Post argued that the work is more similar to March than to Maus.[9]

Kirkus Reviews named They Called Us Enemy one of the best books of the year.[6] The book also "claimed the top spot on PW’s annual Graphic Novel Critic’s Poll," an annual review "compiled by asking participating critics to list up to 10 trade book releases they consider the best graphic novel and comics works of the year."[1]

Awards for They Called Us Enemy
Year Award Result Ref.
2019 Cybils Award for Young Adult Graphic Novel Finalist [10]
2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Graphic Novels & Comics Nominee [11]
2019 Outstanding Books for the College Bound: History and Cultures Selection [12]
2019 VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award for Youth Winner [13]
2020 ALSC Notable Children's Books Selection [14][15]
2020 American Book Award Winner [16]
2020 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Young Adult Literature Winner [17][18]
2020 Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults Selection [19]
2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top 10 [20][21]
2020 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work Winner [22][23]
2021 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Selection [24]
2022 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee

References
  1. "'They Called Us Enemy' Tops PW's Graphic Novel Critics Poll". Publishers Weekly. 2019-12-17. Archived from the original on 2023-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  2. Park, Ed (2019-09-09). "When George Takei Was Imprisoned in an American Internment Camp". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. Segal, Steve (2019-07-16). "George Takei talks Pittsburgh, new novel, Hollywood and John Wayne". TribLIVE. Archived from the original on 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  4. Reid, Calvin (2019-11-21). "IDW Debuts Spanish Graphic Novel Line with Takei's 'They Called Us Enemy'". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  5. Takei, George (2020). They called us enemy. Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker (Expanded ed.). San Diego, CA. ISBN 978-1-60309-470-2. OCLC 1174585088. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. "They Called Us Enemy". Kirkus Reviews. 2019-08-05. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  7. Hunter, Sarah (July 2019). "They Called Us Enemy". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  8. "They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott". Publishers Weekly. 2019-06-20. Archived from the original on 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  9. Cavna, Michael (2019-07-12). "George Takei has talked about his family's internment before. But never quite like this". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  10. "2019 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards. Archived from the original on 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  11. "They Called Us Enemy". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  12. "2019 OBCB History and Cultures". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-10-21. Archived from the original on 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  13. "VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Winners for 2019 Announced". www.vla.org. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  14. "Notable Children's Books: 2020". Booklist. 2020-03-15. Archived from the original on 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  15. Schulte-Cooper, Laura (2020-02-25). "ALSC names 2020 Notable Children's Books". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  16. "George Takei, Ocean Vuong win American Book Awards". Associated Press. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  17. "2020 Youth Media Award Winners". American Libraries Magazine. 2020-01-27. Archived from the original on 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  18. Ho, Dora (2020-01-27). "YMA highlights 2020 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature youth category winners". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  19. "Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults, 2019". Booklist. 2020-01-01. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  20. "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2020". Booklist. 2020-03-15. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  21. "2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-01-02. Archived from the original on 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  22. Grunenwald, Joe (2020-07-25). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Archived from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  23. Reid, Calvin (2020-07-27). "Walden, Takei, Telgemeier, Tamaki Win 2020 Eisner Awards". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  24. "2021 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2021-01-05. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
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