Executive Committee Statement regarding John Okada's 'No-No Boy'

In recent weeks, Penguin Classics’ decision to publish an edition of John Okada’s 1957 novel No-No Boy has been sharply criticized.  In our view, that criticism is warranted. It appears that Penguin Classics proceeded without consultation of the Okada estate or commitments to the distribution of royalties to it. Moreover, Penguin Classics’ action occludes acknowledgment of the publication history of the novel, which is a vital part of understanding No-No Boy’s importance to U.S. cultural studies. While Penguin Classics’ explains its action in terms of a “good faith” commitment to ensuring the novel remains a part of American literary history, we take note ...(Read more)

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