| Sayonara | |
| Author: | James A. Michener |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Pub Date: | 1953 |
| Media Type: | |
| Pages: | 243pp. |
Sayonara (1954) is a novel published by American author James A. Michener. Set during the early 1950s, it tells the story of Major Gruver, a soldier stationed in Japan, who falls in love with Hana-Ogi, a Japanese woman. The novel follows their cross-cultural Japanese romance and illuminates the racism of the post-World War II time period.[1]
Sayonara was made into a film of the same name, released in 1957; it was directed by Joshua Logan and featured Marlon Brando and Miiko Taka as Major Gruver and Hana-ogi, respectively.[2] Miyoshi Umeki won an Academy Award in 1958 for her portrayal of Katsumi in that film.[3]
In addition, the novel was adapted by William Luce into a musical of the same name, premiering at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 1987. It starred Richard White as Gruver and June Angela as Hana-ogi.[4] Writing for The New York Times, Alvin Klein called it "purely and purposefully sumptuous ... a spectacle with a soul."[5]