Hunt for the Bamboo Rat by Graham Salisbury (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Hunt for the Bamboo Rat by Graham Salisbury Elizabeth Bush Salisbury, Graham Hunt for the Bamboo Rat. Lamb, 2014 [336p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-94070-5 $19.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-375-84266-5 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-307-97970-4 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 7-10 Salisbury returns to the theme of his previous acclaimed books (Under the Blood-Red Sun, BCCB 11/94, etc.), the plight of Japanese-Americans in World War II, who [End Page 173] were American patriots mistrusted by both homeland and enemy. Zenji Watanabe’s flawless mastery of English and Japanese is well known to his ROTC officer, so the recent high school graduate is quickly recruited into military intelligence and sent to Manila, just in advance of U.S. entry into the war. Of course, Pearl Harbor ups the ante of his mission, and his superiors instruct him to allow himself to be captured among the Filipinos rather than Americans, the better to gain further intel, as well as to maximize his own chances for survival. Unfortunately, when he’s rounded up into an internment camp, Zenji is singled out by his captors as a possible American spy or Japanese traitor, either of which is likely to assure his execution. Salisbury bases his novel on the wartime experiences of decorated Army intelligence agent Richard Sakakida, with other real life figures taking on supporting roles. Although the dialogue-rich text is accessible to younger readers, the complexity of Zenji’s cat-and-mouse game and the intensity of the torture scenes suggest a more mature audience with some background knowledge of World War II. This is a worthy companion piece to the Under the Blood-Red Sun titles, now remarketed as the Prisoners of the Empire series. Copyright © 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois