My Year of Meats

Suzie is one of the American wives featured on My American Wife!. While she “laugh(s) easily”, she is deeply sad and lonely inside, having become a contestant on this show in an attempt to save her failing marriage (20). She serves as an example of how it is possible to appear happy on the outside but be miserable on the inside.

Akiko Ueno begins the book “so thin”, bulimic, and unhappy in her marriage to John Ueno (20). She is timid and constantly abused by those around her, but especially by her husband, whom she has never been in love with, only afraid of.

Unable to conceive because of her bulimia, John tries to help by having Akiko watch My American Wife! religiously and make all the recipes in hopes that the American meat will help her gain weight. Instead of gaining weight however, she gains confidence, watching the way some of the wives exude happiness and independence. 

With a little help from Jane and some of the American wives, the end of the book finds a whole new Akiko. She is living in the States on her own, listening to the music she wants, eating the food she wants, and having the sexual experiences she wants – in short, enjoying choice for the first time in a long time. 

Joichi “John” Ueno is Akiko’s abusive husband and a rep for BEEF-EX. He is obsessed with voluptuous American women, American meat, having a child, and beating his wife. He is both a nightmare in Akiko’s life and in Jane’s, as he constantly gets in the way of Jane’s ability to create authentic episodes and also tries to rape her. He uses his position in BEEF-EX to eventually terminate Jane’s position, but while he is doing so, Akiko is busy terminating their marriage. At the end of the novel, John has lost his position at BEEF-EX and his wife, proving that aggression is not always the best way to get what you want.  

Sloan is a traveling musician from Chicago who Jane dates throughout most of the novel. Sloan is as talented sexually as he is at playing a “demented brand of postmodern jazz” (56). Their relationship grows from consisting solely of phone sex, to meeting casually at motels, to being a full blown romantic relationship. Sloan is presented as fun, loving, and supportive of Jane. 

Kato is Jane’s former boss who gets her hired onto My American Wife!. He is generally supportive of Jane but wants her to play by the rules.

Jane’s mother is “delicate” but “prejudiced” (155-6). She cares for Jane through action more than through verbal affection. She is presented as matter of fact, sometimes to the point of being rude, but ultimately concerned about her daughter. 

Mr. Oda is one of the revolving directors for My American Wife! who is especially heartless and selfish. 

Oh is the soundman for Jane’s crew. He is “quiet” and loves children and animals (34). He is very supportive of Jane.

Suzuki is the cameraman for Jane’s crew. Despite his “passion for Jack Daniels, Wal-Mart, and American hard-core pornography” he is extremely supportive and caring towards Jane (33).

Dyann and Lara are an interracial lesbian couple who are presented as loving vegans. They both hold important positions in their community and are good mothers. They help Jane with her research and Akiko with her escape from John.

John Dunn is the elderly husband of Bunny Dunn, one of the American wives Jane interviews for the show. He is presented as ignorant but ultimately concerned with others’ wellbeing. 

Bunny Dunn is a Texan mother and wife with huge hair, boobs, and butt. She is genuine, honest, and loving. She allows Jane to videotape her daughter Rosie’s deformities in an effort to help other children avoid the same issues. Her candid demeanor and willingness to help others is palpable throughout her portion of the book.

Rosie is the five-year-old daughter of Bunny and John Dunn. She appears to have a special affection for her Uncle Gale and for hanging out at the feedlot. Due to exposure to the chemicals used at the feedlot she has developed breasts, public hair, and a period.

Creepy and gaunt, Gabe is the uncle of Rosie Dunn and the current owner of the Dunn feedlot. He is abusive towards Rosie and towards Jane when she confronts him about it. He is exposed as being part of an illegal hormone ring and a pedophile.