Sansei and Sensibility

These inventive stories by Karen Tei Yamashita explore themes of inheritance—familial, cultural, emotional, and artistic—by crossing boundaries and questioning their true meaning. Set in 1960s and 70s California, the tales feature characters engaging in unique cultural moments, from examining deceased relatives’ freezers to collecting neighborhood gossip, all with humor and insight. The stories blend classic elements with modern settings, addressing issues of class, race, and gender in engaging and playful ways.