East Wind, Rain - by Caroline Paul (Paperback)

About the Book

This provocative and compelling debut novel of innocence, identity, loyalty, and betrayal is set on a small, isolated Hawaiian island in December 1941, and based on true events. When a plane crashes on Niihau, the islanders have no idea that it is a Japanese zero, and that the pilot, who survived, has just bombed Pearl Harbor. Only the lone Japanese-American couple on Niihau knows the truth - and they begin to question their own loyalties. Over seven days, the innocent peace of the island unravels . . .

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Gutsy Girl comes this provocative, compelling novel of irrevocable consequences for people thrust unwittingly into a devastating war of nations and American identity--based on a little-known true event.

December 1941. The inhabitants of Niihau lead a simple life. Mostly Hawaiian natives, they work the ranch of Niihau's eccentric haole owner, who keeps his island totally isolated from the outside world, devoid of cars, phones, and electricity. But then a plane crash-lands there, and although the villagers rescue the pilot, they have no idea that he has just attacked Pearl Harbor. War has now come to Eden, slowly undoing its tranquillity, widening the cracks in the already troubled marriage of Irene and Yoshio Harada, the island's only Japanese-American couple. It will test everyone's loyalties and all they believe in . . . as Paradise, once within reach, slowly falls victim to its own isolated innocence.

From the Back Cover

December 1941. The inhabitants of Niihau lead a simple life. Mostly Hawaiian natives, they work the ranch of Niihau's eccentric haole owner, who keeps his island totally isolated from the outside world, devoid of cars, phones, and electricity. But then a plane crash-lands there, and although the villagers rescue the pilot, they have no idea that he has just attacked Pearl Harbor. War has now come to Eden, slowly undoing its tranquillity, widening the cracks in the already troubled marriage of Irene and Yoshio Harada, the island's only Japanese-American couple. It will test everyone's loyalties and all they believe in . . . as Paradise, once within reach, slowly falls victim to its own isolated innocence.

Based on a little-known true event, East Wind, Rain is a provocative and compelling novel of irrevocable consequences for people thrust unwittingly into a devastating war of nations and American identity.

Review Quotes

"A compelling psychological drama." - San Francisco Chronicle

"Paul offers a refreshing and interesting vantage point from which readers may reconsider the episode in history. . . . [A]n excellent job of bringing complex questions to the forefront." - Kirkus Reviews

"Authentic and dramatic." - Booklist

"A complex and beautifully imagined story of evolving meanings and shifting allegiances. An intelligent and impressive debut." - Tom Barbash, Author of The Last Good Chance and On Top of The World

"With fluid, often lyrical prose, Paul succeeds at creating a novel that's authentic and at times artful." - San Francisco Chronicle

"Paul's graceful, objective tone may be the book's greatest strength . . .When it's over, we don't want to leave." - New York Times Book Review