They Called Us Enemy
AuthorGeorge Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott
LanguageEnglish
GenreMemoir, Graphic novel
PublisherTop Shelf Productions
Isbn9781603094504
Pub dateJuly 16, 2019
SubjectInternment of Japanese Americans during World War II
IllustratorHarmony Becker

They Called Us Enemy is a 2019 graphic novel written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott, and illustrated by Harmony Becker. It is about Takei's experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II. It was published by Top Shelf Productions.[1][2]

Takei's childhood comprises the bulk of the work, which alternates between the humor found in the minutiae of daily life and the moments of sadness evoked by the severity of the characters' lives in an internment camp.[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 early 2017, and the writing process concluded in the beginning of 2018.[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." 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 book strongly echoed civil rights activist John Lewis' autobiographical graphic novel trilogy March, which told the story of Lewis' work in the civil rights movement, and that Top Shelf, which published both books, appeared to be positioning Takei's memoir to be a similar hit, inasmuch as like March, it was written to be accessible to older grade-schoolers, and was marketed via appearances by Takei at fan conventions.[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]

In 2022, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and PEN America identified They Called Us Enemy as one of the most-banned graphic novels in public schools, citing bans in numerous local school districts.[10][11]

Awards for They Called Us Enemy
YearAwardResultRef.
2019Cybils Award for Young Adult Graphic NovelFinalist[12]
2019Goodreads Choice Award for Graphic Novels & ComicsNominee[13]
2019Outstanding Books for the College Bound: History and CulturesSelection[14]
2019VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award for YouthWinner[15]
2020ALSC Notable Children's BooksSelection[16][17]
2020American Book AwardWinner[18]
2020Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Young Adult LiteratureWinner[19][20]
2020Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books for Young AdultsSelection[21]
2020Great Graphic Novels for TeensTop 10[22][23]
2020Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based WorkWinner[24][25]
2021Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult ReadersSelection[26]
2022Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book AwardNominee

See also

References

  1. ^ "'They Called Us Enemy.' Tops PW's Graphic Novel Critics Poll". Publishers Weekly. 2019-12-17. Archived 2023-03-07 at the Wayback Machine. 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 2023-03-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  3. ^ Segal, Steve (2019-07-16). "George Takei talks Pittsburgh, new novel, Hollywood and John Wayne". TribLIVE. Archived 2023-03-15 at the Wayback Machine. 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 2023-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  5. ^ Takei, George (2020). They called us enemy. Expanded ed. San Diego, CA. ISBN 978-1-60309-470-2. OCLC 1174585088
  6. ^ "They Called Us Enemy". Kirkus Reviews. 2019-08-05. Archived 2023-03-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  7. ^ Hunter, Sarah (July 2019). "They Called Us Enemy". Booklist. Archived 2022-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  8. ^ "They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott". Publishers Weekly. 2019-06-20. Archived 2021-05-18 at the Wayback Machine. 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 2021-01-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  10. ^ "PEN Report Reveals All Graphic Novels Banned in the Last Nine Months". 2022-04-22. Archived 2025-02-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  11. ^ "Banned In the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students' First Amendment Rights". 2022-04-11. Archived 2025-07-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  12. ^ "2019 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards. Archived 2022-11-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  13. ^ "They Called Us Enemy". Goodreads. Archived 2023-03-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  14. ^ "2019 OBCB History and Cultures". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-10-21. Archived 2022-02-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  15. ^ "VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Winners for 2019 Announced". www.vla.org. Archived 2023-03-29 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  16. ^ "Notable Children's Books: 2020". Booklist. 2020-03-15. Archived 2022-06-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  17. ^ Schulte-Cooper, Laura (2020-02-25). "ALSC names 2020 Notable Children's Books". American Library Association. Archived 2020-06-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  18. ^ "George Takei, Ocean Vuong win American Book Awards". Associated Press. September 14, 2020. Archived March 13, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  19. ^ "2020 Youth Media Award Winners". American Libraries Magazine. 2020-01-27. Archived 2020-12-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  20. ^ Ho, Dora (2020-01-27). "YMA highlights 2020 Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature youth category winners". American Library Association. Archived 2022-09-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  21. ^ "Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults, 2019". Booklist. 2020-01-01. Archived 2022-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  22. ^ "Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2020". Booklist. 2020-03-15. Archived 2021-12-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  23. ^ "2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2020-01-02. Archived 2022-10-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  24. ^ Grunenwald, Joe (2020-07-25). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Archived 2022-04-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  25. ^ Reid, Calvin (2020-07-27). "Walden, Takei, Telgemeier, Tamaki Win 2020 Eisner Awards". Publishers Weekly. Archived 2022-12-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  26. ^ "2021 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2021-01-05. Archived 2022-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-03-29.