'When the Emperor Was Divine' traces the harrowing experience of a Japanese American family uprooted from their home and sent to an internment camp during World War II. Through the distinct narratives of each family member—the mother's shock, the daughter's resilience, the son's struggle, and the father's stoic return—the novel brings to life the emotional and physical landscapes of a dark chapter in American history. Julie Otsuka threads a story of loss, adaptation, and the enduring stigma of being considered an enemy in one's own country.