Vancouver Japanese Language School-Japanese Hall: 4th Floor

A reading from and author conversation about The Breakwater, a multigenerational novel about the long shadow of an unspeakable family secret, culminating in an overdue reunion between two rivalrous brothers of Japanese Canadian heritage. Inspired by Shimotakahara’s family history, it has been praised by Kerri Sakamoto as a “vivid, earthy tale.” Following her reading from various parts of the novel, Shimotakahara will answer audience questions and talk about her writing process. 

About the Author: Leslie Shimotakahara is an award-winning author of three novels and a memoir, as well as numerous short fiction and essays. She won the Canada-Japan Literary Prize (2012) and has been shortlisted for the K.M. Hunter Artist Award. She holds a PhD in English from Brown University, and lives in Toronto.