THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Unrequited love, jealousy, and racism during a murder trial in post WW II.  Two men, one a reporter, and one on trial for murder, love the same woman.  The novel flows back and forth in time revealing the stories of Hatsue, Ishmael and Kabuo.  The facts of the murder are uncovered in bits and pieces throughout the story.  Flashbacks reveal the tender love story between Ishmael and Hatsue.  Some people in the town, unforgiving of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor hope for revenge.  However, some of the townsfolk in San Piedro, Washington, feel remorse for the internment of the Japanese during the war.

Ishmael, who never stopped loving Hatsue, and never forgave her for marrying Kabuo, learns valuable information concerning the murder.

An intensely moving, deeply passionate, yet chilling drama, beautifully written and excellently plotted with sensitive, realistic characters.