“A rare book--Exuberant, fresh-voiced, rich, crazy and stabbing, comic and as true-toned as a crystal glass taped with a knife.” —E. Annie Proulx

“Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers has power and charm. A bold and skillful combination of languages . . . [it] belongs on the shelf near Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.” —Literary Supplement Quarterly

“Yamanaka's voice is clear and distinct, capturing the people and events in sensitive and exciting language. . . . An important and memorable debut.” —San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle

“Yamanaka, true to her poet's ear, communicates the luminous dignity of the language [pidgin]. . . . Because of Yamanaka's uncompromising skill at evoking the special flavor of Hawaiian life, Lovey, Jerry, Hubert--even no-good Larry--are some of the most vivid characters to spring off a page in recent memory.” —Time Out New York

“Funky and vibrant . . . A coming-of-age tale of exceeding charm.” —Elle