The Nail That Sticks Out

The Nail That Sticks Out: Reflections on the Postwar Japanese Canadian Community is published by Dundurn Press.
 
This fourth-generation account is a unique hybrid memoir exploring an evolving community through memories of places, events and traditions while tackling issues of identity, belonging and racism.
 

Family stories  reflect on generational conflict  and bridges two cultures. It contrasts the North American dream of achievement through the conformity imposed by the Japanese adage: the nail that sticks out gets hammered in. 

Through the lens of wartime incarceration, family honour, traditional arts and human connection, it celebrates the historical and cultural contributions of the Japanese Canadian community to the Toronto landscape.
 

Available at your favourite book store.

Toronto Arts Council
Writers Grant

Thanks to the Toronto Arts Council for providing a writers grant to complete this important work.

Suzanne Hartmann Collage 2

Upcoming Events

Please join me as I share my work. Is there an event you think I should attend? Feel free to reach out.

Sept. 17 – Wynford Seniors, Heritage Lounge, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 10:30 a.m., part of the National Public Readings Program with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Sept. 19-21 – National Association of Japanese Canadians Gai Symposium, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, details tba.

Recent interviews

CBC Radio One – Of Junk and Gems 

CBC Radio One – Fresh Air;  Saskatchewan Weekend;
North by Northwest;

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Japanese Festival