Product Description

In 1954 a fisherman is found dead in the nets of his boat, and a local Japanese-American man is charged with his murder. In the course of his trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than one man's guilt. For on San Piedro, memory grows as thickly as cedar trees and the fields of ripe strawberries - memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and a Japanese girl; memories of land desired, paid for, and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbours watched.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48050 in Books
• Published on: 1996-06-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
'This is classic whodunnit territory but Guterson's fiercely intelligent and moving novel is far more than a murder mystery Guterson has written a novel about the human condition that marvellously combines tenderness and excitement' The Times 'A skilfully constructed, deeply affecting story of love and death This is a hugely attractive book, written in clipped elegant prose' Sunday Times 'Compelling a flawlessly written first novel' New York Times 'The death of a fisherman turns into a murder trial and a test of passions brewed since Pearl Harbour between two heritages claustrophobically locked on one dot of land. Love and morality are beautifully choreographed into an exceptional debut novel' Daily Mail

Guardian
'An absorbing and beautiful work.'

The New York Times
'Compelling...a flawlessly written first novel.'

Customer Reviews

"Find a girl, Ishmael. Have children. LIVE."
A thoroughly absorbing read which I then repeated a subsequent three times...and teaching it at 'A' level necessitated various passage dissections; from the impassioned language of closing arguments to the insular descriptions of the forest Ishmael believed (needed to believe) belonged to he and Hatsue. Guterson weaves a tale of political, social and interpersonal racism at the time of Pearl Harbour and within this, interweaves a love story which could never enjoy its 'happy' ending. Symbolism is rich in content, from the hollow tree which acts as a place of refuge, to the succulent strawberries amassed from the fields each summer, to Ishmael's arm and very name. Enthralling and consuming, this novel will challenge and engage.

A good thriller
This is just the sort of thriller I enjoy - 'a thinking person's thriller', as the reviews say on the back. It alternates between taut court-room scenes and painting a picture of the fishing community, unravelling different characters' backgrounds and prejudices, combining murder with a love story and political themes.

The research for this book seems impeccable. I thought the love story, in particular was beautifully written and the book did keep me intrigued. The reason I knocked off a couple of stars is because I just didn't like the way it was written - and I accept that judging from the other reviews, other readers might disagree. I found the style rather leaden and pompous; it is readable but there is a strained, slightly forced feeling to the narrative, as if he is trying too hard to be literary - a fault which more recent reviews of the book in America have picked up on. It always took me a little while to get back into the flow of it and I felt the dryness of the prose meant that some of the emotional force was lost.

Anyone who enjoyed this would also enjoy Donna Tartt's The Secret History, a five-star read which is also a murder mystery with psychological depth and a beautifully written but very readable prose style.

Atmospheric
I studied this novel for a module in my literature AS level. Before we studied it I read it twice and fell in love with it, the more we studied it the more i began to appreciate how Guterson has crafted the story to deeply engage and involve the reader.I read the book now and I can feel the weather, smell the scents and I love how Guterson has created this effect. I find the story to be full and well written, he's obvously done a tonne of research and the plot is brilliant.Our teacher wouldn't let us watch the film until we'd taken the exam.I wasn't disappointed.All the moodiness, the atmosphere, the chemistry had translated so well and the film remains to be one of the best I've seen.