THE BREAKWATER is now available in bookstores

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PRAISE FOR THE BREAKWATER:

“A vivid, earthy tale of two brothers whose lives are sundered by love, lust, and the need to simply survive. Shimotakahara takes us from the seedy back alleys of pre-war LIttle Tokyo and Chinatown, where gangsters, swindlers and madams meet, to the tumble-down shacks of an internment camp. All along, she immerses us in the rueful memories of her misbegotten souls.” Kerri Sakamoto, author of Floating City and Governor General’s Award finalist, The Electrical Field 

“Leslie Shimotakahara shines a light on a shameful and complex time in Canadian history and explores the personal impacts of the Japanese Canadian experience during World War II and the generational trauma that follows when people are forced into impossible situations ... Shimotakahara’s brilliant use of understated prose perfectly captures the depth and poignant realities of her principal characters and immerses readers in a page-turning read.” Ann Y.K. Choi, author of All Things Under the Moon and Toronto Book Award finalist, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety

"[T]he scars of Japanese internment mixed with long held family secrets make for an enthralling, captivating story. Expertly told, the novel speaks to what we search for at the end of our lives, what we strive to fix, the chapters we’ve hidden from others, and most devastating of all, the self-deceptions that have sheltered us from our personal guilt." Rajinderpal S. Pal, author of However Far Away 

"Stories like The Breakwater provide an important historical Canadian context for minority groups by vividly exploring the effects of racism and unjust government actions." Art Miki, author of Gaman – Perseverance: Japanese Canadians’ Journey to Justice, winner of the Canada-Japan Literary Prize

"I read it twice ... I loved this story ... There are so many layers, there are so many fascinating things that take place, and you understand the dynamics within the family and how it all came to be. This book will keep you moving forward, wanting to know how it all plays out." Rebecca Higgerson, host of Canada Reads American Style podcast

"The Breakwater is beautifully written in delicate prose about a period in Canadian history that needs to be remembered ... A moving and compelling read, this novel will appeal to readers who enjoy complex family stories. I recommend this as a great read." The Seaboard Review of Books

“Told through the perspectives of Yas, Cathy, and later Stum, The Breakwater deftly oscillates between the estrangement of two brothers and the history of Japanese Canadians. The expulsion of Japanese families from their homes and their subsequent internment both propel the plot and serve as the backdrop to Yas’s memories as he returns to Victoria … The result is a meticulous plot, neither overconstructed nor obscure, steeped in history and written in clear, generous prose.” CHA: An Asian Literary Journal

PRAISE FOR LESLIE SHIMOTAKAHARA:

"[A] novel of perspicacious observation ... Contrasting family loyalties with a girl's propulsive yearning for independence, Sisters of the Spruce is a captivating historical novel." Foreword Reviews for Sisters of the Spruce

"A heartbreaking story in which the past haunts the present and bleeds into the future ... Shimotakahara shows virtuosity in this subtle deconstruction of one family's tainted origins." Kirkus Reviews for Red Oblivion

"Shimotakahara's writing is personal and entrancing, unflinchingly shining a light on this difficult part of history."  Booklist (starred review) for After the Bloom 

"A deep and beautiful story … Shimotakahara joins a rank of garlanded Canadian authors." National Post for After the Bloom