Rating: 
Summary: This book really made me think.
Review: I picked up this book at a garage sale a few weeks ago because the title sparked my interest (one of my friends just left to teach English in Japan). I honestly didn't have any opinion of the book at first, although I have heard praise for Michener's novels. When reading this book, I was surprised that most of the American characters seemed to be racist. But my mother commented that this was what the world thought of Japan after the war.I liked how the author portrayed Major Gruver. At first, he was showed ignorance towards anything and anyone Japanese, but after he met Hana-Ogi, his views changed. And it was particularly nice that he realized that what was important in a person was what was on the inside (e.g. Katsumi). I thought this book was great :) but the ending was so sad. (f.y.i. I am a 22 year old Asian female).
Rating: 
Summary: Sayonara
Review: I thought this was a really great book. It tells the story of Major Lloyd Gruver, who falls in love with the beautiful Takarazuka girl, Hana-ogi. Through his relationship with her, he begins to see past the darkened skin and slanted eyes of the Japanese into their hearts. The ending was very sad. I reccomend this book to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: A 'Love Story' in Japan
Review: Lloyd Gruver, a jet pilot ace in Korea, is sent back to Japan on a new assignment. The son of a General, his fiancee Eileen is the daughter of General Webster. There is a problem with Airman Kelly, who wants to marry a Japanese girl even though she would not be allowed to come to America. General Webster's wife disapproves of American soldiers accompanying Japanese girls; and the General's wife commands the General. Eileen wants a regular marriage, not spending years of loneliness as a stateside Officer's wife.
At Airman Kelly's wedding, Major Gruver learns the secret of Japanese women: they make their men feel important. Sometimes a Congressman will get a special bill passed to allow an American to bring his Japanese wife stateside. But American officialdom did everything to prevent these marriages. The story continues with Major Gruver learning more about Japanese culture - and a Japanese girl! [Little hints point to an oncoming tragedy.] Michener paints word-pictures of Japan that match his descriptions of islands in the South Pacific. In the end tradition and duty win out over love, for both Lloyd and Hana-ogi. The reader gets a brief glimpse into Japanese culture. This is one of Michener's earlier works, and not as good as his later books. But it explains the importance for Congress to control the budget.
What is the significance of the suicides? Gun Prohibitionists bray "America has the highest murder rate (qualifications)". Yet the rate of Violent Death in America is lower than Japan and other Western Industrialized Nations. The oppression and lack of freedom in those countries creates higher suicide rates, even with "socialized medicine". Beware of half truths!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: This is a beautiful tale of love and war. Though I am young, I have enjoyed the powerful way James Michener had written 'Sayonara'. I feel symphatetic towards the end for the dashing Major Llyod Gruver and his beautiful Hana-ogi. This has been a very enjoyable book and I recommend other people to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Very good though short.
Review: This is a fine story. The book moves along at a steady pace and has plenty of interesting moments. A couple of these: when the hero hides in a cupboard from the Military Police and has a breakthrough in his thinking (freedom from the fear of the heavy boot steps in the middle of the night), and when he is reprimanded by his father and forced to realize that there are all sorts of people needed in this world to make it go 'round. The characters are diverse though the Japanese community seems weakly done. This book is recommended for those interested in the Korean war, Japan, love, or sad endings.
Rating:
Summary: Not your average love story
Review: To me, Sayonara is an amazing story of a very unlikely couple. Maybe it is simply the woman in me that enjoys reading of a great love tale, but this novel truly hit me. In the beginning Lloyd is a man that would not think twice about dating a Japanese woman simply because of her race. But as time goes on, and the storyline progresses, his perspective begins to shift. He sees Hana-ogi not as a JAPANESE woman, but as a warm-hearted, loving human being. And although both of their careers forbid their relationship, neither one of them is willing to give up the bond they share. Their friends Joe Kelly and Katsumi are only another example of how love conquers, or rather, should conquer, all. Sayonara is not just a sappy love story. It is a tale of struggle and the overcoming of obstacles merely to be with the one you were meant to be with.
Rating:
Summary: Not your average love story
Review: To me, Sayonara is an amazing story of a very unlikely couple. Maybe it is simply the woman in me that enjoys reading of a great love tale, but this novel truly hit me. In the beginning Lloyd is a man that would not think twice about dating a Japanese woman simply because of her race. But as time goes on, and the storyline progresses, his perspective begins to shift. He sees Hana-ogi not as a JAPANESE woman, but as a warm-hearted, loving human being. And although both of their careers forbid their relationship, neither one of them is willing to give up the bond they share. Their friends Joe Kelly and Katsumi are only another example of how love conquers, or rather, should conquer, all. Sayonara is not just a sappy love story. It is a tale of struggle and the overcoming of obstacles merely to be with the one you were meant to be with.
Rating:
Summary: Some info
Review: While I have not read the book (looking forward to it) I have the movie (first VHS and now DVD) and have seen it many times. So I rated the book at 5 stars based on the movie. Just wanted to add some comments from someone who has spent 2 years in Korea and 16 plus years in Japan serving in the military and with the US government -- and has a wonderful Japanese wife. - As recently as the 80's, commanders were encouraged to discourage marriage to foreign nationals. I know this first hand -- from both sides of the situation. - It is interesting to note that In the days of occupational Japan up through sometime in the late 60's I believe, it was forbidden to even consort with the Japanese. A friend of mine, whom passed away two years ago, required congressional approval to get married. I actually saw the document. It was a regular bill/law (forgot the topic) with a rider that had the names of personnel authorized to marry a Japanese foreign national. His name was there along with 20 or so other names. Pretty cool document if I might say so. Wish that I had a copy. I asked him one time how he just got married without dating. He just grinned. It seemed that as an engineer his was allowed to have lunches with local engineering folks to conduct business meetings. She was his preferred translator for the meetings. Never mind that there was only three of them, and it was a picnic style meeting! He was lucky that his commander overlooked this issue. - As for the dual suicide in the movie, I have another very close friend whom knows of occurrences of this happening. He actually had to handle the bodies and next of kin notification. - As for the cutting of the eyes. I saw this first hand in Korea. Girls would attempt to make themselves more appealing to Americans by doing this. There were legitimate places that did this, and there were your roadside sleazy operations as well. This was so sad to see. None of my American friends wanted their GF or wives to do this. But the ladies nonetheless thought that it would make them more accepable and beautiful. - The transformation into understanding this culture is not based on time, but rather the pealing of the onion. It happens to different folks at different rates. It is possible to live in Japan for a long time, but never peal the onion. After you peal a few layers, it becomes almost impossible to explain to a newbie what you know. I am so glad that this movie was made. It has provided a wonderful reference to what happened from occupational Japan through the early 80's (and some would say still happening today to a lesser extent) concerning attitudes and racial views.
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