Vivid and Beautiful
The year is 1954 and Kabuo Miyamoto a Japanese American fisherman is standing trial for murder in small town in Puget Sound Washington. Up until World War II, his family was growing strawberries and making payments towards owning the land they lived and worked on. With the onset so the war left for the land, they were sent away to a Japanese internment camp. After the war ended they came back to Puget Sound only to find the land that they had struggled for was sold.
The narrator of the story was the journalist covering the trial, Ishmael Chambers. As a child, he played with and later fell in love with Hatsue. When she was sent to the Japanese internment camp with her family, she sent Ishmael a “Dear John” letter. When she returned to Puget Sound, she was married to Kabuo Miyamoto.
Ishmael never stopped loving Hatsue and may be the only one to be able to uncover the truth and set Kabuo free. Will he let his feelings get in the way of doing the right thing? My lips are sealed.
This is a book of love, friendship, betrayal, honor, tradition, and racism. David’s Guterson’s characters ring true to me. His writing flows beautifully as he peels away the layers of the town and it’s inhabitants. This is a fast reading book that I didn’t want to put down. I highly recommend it!
4/5
Note to my fellow bloggers who also reviewed this book: If you would like me to link your review at the bottom of my review, please leave a comment with the link to your review.
I read this a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I think it was actually the first Japanese internment story that I read. Have you seen the film? It’s good too, from what I remember it follows the book pretty closely.
It’s been several years since I read this, but I absolutely loved it. The movie is quite good, too.
Someday maybe I will try and read this one again. I attempted it a few years ago but didn’t make it too far. I don’t know if it was just not a good fit for me at the time or a case of the book and I not clicking at all. I am glad you enjoyed it so much!
Tanabata and Les,
No, I haven’t seen the movie. I think I will rent it now.
Literary Feline,
Too bad you didn’t get into it. I sometimes re-visit books like that to see if perhaps it was my mood, back when I first tried. Sometimes I find I like them and sometimes I still don’t.
Beautiful review. I already wanted to read this book, but I want it even more now.
I think you would like it Nymeth. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it.
This sounds like a good book so I’m adding it to the TBR list. Great review!
Thanks Samantha! I hope you enjoy it.
Oooo This is on my TBR. I am thinking it needs to be moved up closer to the top of the pile now.
Thanks for a great review Teddy.
I haven’t read this but clearly I should. Your review is incredibly tempting; well done!
Thanks Linda! I’m pretty sure you would like this one.
Your most welcome J.C. I’d love to read your thoughts on it after you read it.
I enjoyed the movie so much I went out and got the book (which I love even more). Funny I should read your review now, I just mentioned Ishmael and Hatsue as one of my favourite literary couples last week for ‘Booking Through Thursday’.
Teddy I loved, loved, loved this book when I read it many years ago…Guterson has such a gift for creating scene and mood.
oh yes Wendy, what a gift he has. I am looking forward to reading more by him!
That is funny Wanda! I am looking forward to seeing the movie.
Great movie and better book!
Pinned this one. Puget Sound is near you.