52 pages • 1 hour read
Asha LemmieFifty Words for Rain
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie is a historical novel set in post-World War II Japan, following Nori Kamiza, the biracial illegitimate daughter of an aristocratic Japanese woman and a Black American soldier. Raised by her strict grandparents and shunned by society for her mixed heritage, Nori forms a complex bond with her half-brother Akira, a violin prodigy, as she navigates identity, family ties, and self-discovery. The novel includes depictions of colorism, racism, physical abuse, sexual assault, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie is praised for its rich prose and deep emotional resonance, immersing readers in post-WWII Japan and the life of a biracial girl. Reviewers appreciate its vivid descriptions and complex characters, though some critique the pacing and plot developments as uneven. Overall, it's a compelling historical fiction debut that captivates the heart.
Who Should Read Fifty Words for Rain?
Readers who would enjoy Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie are typically fans of sweeping historical fiction that explores themes of identity, resilience, and cultural conflict. Comparable to works like Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, this book appeals to those captivated by intricate family sagas and rich settings.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Japanese Literature
Love / Sexuality
Race / Racism
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
WWII / World War II
Post-War Era
Identity: Race
Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride
Relationships: Mothers