Novelist Naomi Hirahara, author of books including “Clark and Division” and “Evergreen,” returns with a new mystery set in Pasadena, “Crown City.” A winner of the Edgar and McCavity awards for mystery writers and a former chapter president of the Southern California chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, Hirahara is also known as the author of the best-selling Mas Arai series.
Q. Please tell readers about your new book, “Crown City.”
“Crown City” is a deep dive into 1903 Pasadena when things Japanese were all the rage. An 18-year-old carpenter from Yokohama, Ryui Wada, tries to understand how he figures into this new world, which also harbors hostilities toward Asian newcomers. He and his roommate, an eccentric Japanese photographer, join forces as amateur detectives when a painting by a popular Pasadena-based Japanese artist is stolen.
SEE ALSO: Like books? Get our free Book Pages newsletter about bestsellers, authors and more
Q. Is there a book or books you always recommend to other readers?
I love my late friend Amy Uyematsu’s first book of poetry, “30 Miles From J-Town.” Born in the Pasadena area, she wrote elegantly about Japanese American life from the 1960s on. Her work was recently recognized in Europe and translated in French. I was honored to participate in a recorded Zoom session to celebrate her writings.
A nonfiction book I often refer to is Richard Steven Street’s “Beasts of the Field: A Narrative History Of California Farmworkers, 1769-1913.” It’s close to 900 pages long! It’s quite a brilliant work that has been meticulously researched. In terms of California, it’s key to understanding how the land and in particular how agriculture has impacted the state and its people.
Q. What are you reading now?
An advanced reading copy of a debut novel written by D.K. Furutani, “When Mikan Road Was Ours.” It’s set in El Monte and South Pasadena; Southern Californians will love it!
Q. Do you remember the first book that made an impact on you?
The series that made me want to be a writer was “All-of-a-Kind-Family,” written by Sydney Taylor. It’s about a Jewish family living in the Lower Tenement District of Manhattan during World War II. I carefully studied how Ms. Taylor handled dialogue and multiple characters’ POV. My current agent also represents her estate!
Q. Can you recall a book that felt like it was written with you in mind (or conversely, one that most definitely wasn’t)?
Kyoko Mori’s memoir, “The Dream of Water,” addressed issues of friendship among Japanese women—how painful experiences are avoided in conversation because friendship is meant to bring joy to each other’s lives. It was a completely different way to view friendship—that oversharing is not necessary in some cultures. It shed a lot of light on my relationships with Japanese immigrants.
Q. Is there a person who made an impact on your reading life – a teacher, a parent, a librarian or someone else?
My South Pasadena High School AP teacher was amazing. She recommended that I read Lady Murasaki’s “The Tale of Genji,” one of the first novels written by a woman. I started reading Doris Lessing while I was taking her class. How a teenager could relate to the voice of a woman dealing with being middle-aged in “The Summer Before the Dark” is evidence of how reading can transport us to worlds so different than the ones that we inhabit.
Related Articles
‘Eradication’ author Jonathan Miles opened for the Rolling Stones Southern California romance bookstores do not want AI for Valentine’s Day 9 romance novel recommendations to spice up your Valentine’s Day ‘Infinite Jest’ at 30: Why its editor says it’s ‘more valuable than ever’ ‘The Copywriter’ author Daniel Poppick composed text for a queenHence then, the article about crown city author naomi hirahara on a book southern californians will love was published today ( ) and is available on Los Angeles Daily News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Crown City’ author Naomi Hirahara on a book Southern Californians will love )
Also on site :
- Canaan Inc. Acquires Cipher Mining's Interest in Multiple Operational Mining Projects Totaling ~4.4 EH/s in West Texas
- Anthropic accuses Chinese AI labs of mining Claude as US debates AI chip exports
- Pedestrian killed on 101 Freeway in Calabasas-Agoura Hills area