From the New York Times bestselling author of Women of the Silk and The Samurai's Garden comes a gorgeous and evocative historical novel about a Japanese-American family set against the backdrop of Hawai’i's sugar plantations.
Daniel Abe, a young doctor in Chicago, is finally coming back to Hawai'i. He has his own reason for returning to his childhood home, but it is not to revisit the past, unlike his Uncle Koji. Koji lives with the memories of Daniel’s mother, Mariko, the love of his life, and the scars of a life hard-lived. He can’t wait to see Daniel, who he’s always thought of as a son, but he knows the time has come to tell him the truth about his mother, and his father. But Daniel’s arrival coincides with the awakening of the Mauna Loa volcano, and its dangerous path toward their village stirs both new and long ago passions in their community.
Alternating between past and present—from the day of the volcano eruption in 1935 to decades prior—The Color of Air interweaves the stories of Daniel, Koji, and Mariko to create a rich, vibrant, bittersweet chorus that celebrates their lifelong bond to one other and to their immigrant community. As Mauna Loa threatens their lives and livelihoods, it also unearths long held secrets simmering below the surface that meld past and present, revealing a path forward for them all.
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“Through tragedy and joy, Tsukiyama crafts characters whose reliance on each other is their greatest strength.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Lushly written, this is a story of family ties, immigration, resilience, and home.”
— Ms. MagazineBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Gail Tsukiyama is the bestselling author of eight novels, including Women of the Silk, The Samurai’s Garden, and The Color of Air. She was born in San Francisco, California, to a Chinese mother from Hong Kong and a Japanese father from Hawaii. She attended San Francisco State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in English. She has received the Academy of American Poets Award and the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award.
Brian Nishii is a voice talent and award-winning audiobook narrator.
Natalie Naudus is one of the most beloved audiobook narrators working today and now author of her debut novel, Gay the Pray Away.