Morning Glory, a young Japanese woman, lands in San Francisco and records her wide-eyed, wisecracking adventures with her uncle, from Longfellow-loving society ladies to a cottage next door to a poet named Heine. Her broken-English diary lampoons American manners while she dreams of becoming a novelist.
Books mentioned in The American Diary of a Japanese Girl (11)
A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “I must read Mr. Longfellow again as I used a year ago reclining in the Spring breeze,—“A Psalm of Life,” “The Village Blacksmith,” and half a dozen snatches from “Evangeline” or “The Song of Hiawatha” at the least.”
The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “I must read Mr. Longfellow again as I used a year ago reclining in the Spring breeze,—“A Psalm of Life,” “The Village Blacksmith,” and half a dozen snatches from “Evangeline” or “The Song of Hiawatha” at the least.”
Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “I must read Mr. Longfellow again as I used a year ago reclining in the Spring breeze,—“A Psalm of Life,” “The Village Blacksmith,” and half a dozen snatches from “Evangeline” or “The Song of Hiawatha” at the least.”
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “I must read Mr. Longfellow again as I used a year ago reclining in the Spring breeze,—“A Psalm of Life,” “The Village Blacksmith,” and half a dozen snatches from “Evangeline” or “The Song of Hiawatha” at the least.”
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving: “I have read his gratifying “Sketch Book.” I used to sleep holding it under my wooden pillow.”
The Lotos-Eaters by Alfred Tennyson: “I recalled a few passages of “The Lotos Eaters” by Lord Tennyson—it sounds better than “the poet Tennyson.””
The French Revolution: A History by Thomas Carlyle: “Great Carlyle wrote his “French Revolution” twice. I wish I had been given a slice of his persistency.”
Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám by Omar Khayyám: “Mrs. Schuyler picked out for me “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.” My uncle said: “American woman can’t keep away from Omar and chicken-salad.””
When Knighthood Was in Flower by Charles Major: “I bought one book, being captivated by its title. Isn’t “When Knighthood was in Flower” beautifully chivalrous?”
Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant: ““Did you ever read Thanatopsis, my dear?” Mr. Heine asked. “Yes, sir!” “It’s a noble piece.”
The House of Life by Dante Gabriel Rossetti: “Dante Gabriel Rosetti buried his ‘House of Life,’ because they were not for a gaping millionaire’s wife, but only for his own little wife.”