The American Diary of a Japanese Girl : An Annotated Edition

Annotation The first American novel by a writer of Japanese ancestry, The American Diary of a Japanese Girl is a landmark of modern American fiction and Japanese American transnationalism. First published in 1902, Yone Noguchi's novel describes the turn-of-the-century adventures of Tokyo belle Miss Morning Glory in a first-person narrative that The New York Times called "perfectly ingenuous and unconventional." Initially published as an authentic journal, the Diary was later revealed to be a playful autobiographical fiction written by a man. No less than her creator, Miss Morning Glory delights in disguises, unabashedly switching gender, class, and ethnic roles. Targeting the American fantasy of Madame Butterfly, Noguchi's New Woman heroine prays for "something more decent than a marriage offer," and freely dispenses her insights on Japanese culture and American lifestyles. With the addition of perceptive critical commentary and comprehensive notes, this first annotated edition sheds new light on the creative inventiveness of an important modernist writer First Published In 1902, Yone Noguchi's Novel Describes The Turn-of-the-century Adventures Of Tokyo Belle Miss Morning Glory In A First-person Narrative That The New York Times Called Perfectly Ingenuous And Unconventional. Initially Published As An Authentic Journal, The Diary Was Later Revealed To Be A Playful Autobiographical Fiction Written By A Man. No Less Than Her Creator, Miss Morning Glory Delights In Disguises, Unabashedly Switching Gender, Class, And Ethnic Roles. Introduction / By Laura Franey -- The American Diary Of A Japanese Girl / By Yone Noguchi -- Afterword / By Edward Marx. Yone Noguchi ; Edited By Edward Marx And Laura E. Franey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [196]-201). Blair Mallory has already survived one murder attempt. Now, while planning her wedding and dealing with holiday-season madness, Blair once again dodges a bullet. Or, more precisely, a Buick. And though the driver's identity remains a mystery, his or her murderous intentions seemed all too clear to Blair. But Wyatt Bloodsworth, Blair's police detective groom-to-be, believes it was only an accident. When she cheats death a second time in another seemingly innocent accident, Blair still can't convince Wyatt that someone wants to kill her Contents......Page 6 Introduction by Laura E. Franey......Page 8 Notes to this Edition......Page 22 The American Diary of a Japanese Girl by Yone Noguchi......Page 2 Before I Sailed......Page 26 On the Ocean......Page 36 In Amerikey......Page 41 Afterword by Edward Marx......Page 154 Notes to the Introduction......Page 176 Notes to the Text......Page 179 Notes to the Afterword......Page 215 Works Cited......Page 219