Love and Infamy [Mass Market Paperback]

Frank Deford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

Raised as blood brothers, Cotton Drake, the son of American missionaries, and Japanese-born Kiyoshi Serikawa find their friendship shattered by war and the love of the beautiful Miyuki. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Highly regarded sportswriter ( Everybody's All American ) and author of an affecting chronicle of his daughter's death ( Alex ), Deford debuts as a novelist with an engrossing story of political and personal intrigue that takes place in Japan before and during WW II, and that contrasts the irreconcilable gulf between cultures with the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship. In 1940, Japanese-born, Yale-educated Cotton Drake returns to his birthplace as a rookie Episcopal missionary. There he is briefly reunited with his lifelong friend, Harvard alumnus Kiyoshi Okuno, on leave from his job in Hawaii to marry Miyuki, sister of a mutual childhood friend, Takeo Serikawa, who as leader of a failed mutiny has committed seppuku . Soon afterward, Kiyoshi is sent back to Honolulu as a spy to facilitate Admiral Yamamoto's attack on the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor. Cotton, suspecting treachery and in turmoil over his own feelings for Miyuki, is inexorably drawn into the intrigue as both he and Kiyoshi become morally compromised by acts they perform in the name of patriotism. Right up to the surprising and suspenseful climax, the book rings with historical authenticity and vivid descriptions of exotic landscapes and Shinto ritual. There are sharp portraits of historical characters: Admiral Yamamoto, for instance, never sounds more believable than when he's using baseball as a metaphor for Japanese-American relations. The real coup is that, despite an oft-used setting, Deford has created fresh characters and a consistently captivating story of romance, politics and the clash of two cultures. 35,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-Cotton Drake, son of missionaries in Japan, and Kiyoshi Serikawa meet in the fourth grade and become best friends, inseparable until they choose different U.S. colleges. Each has grown to love the other's homeland, but they return to Japan to enter business together in 1936. Politics and intrigue slowly alter the relationship between the two men, as events move inexorably toward the attack on Pearl Harbor. Deford presents an important view of the start of World War II, with Emperor Hirohito and Admiral Yamamoto lending credibility to the plot. The main characters and their motivations are believable, yet the central focus of the novel is on the Japanese as a people. Their perceptions of duty, honor, family, sex, work, and religion are woven into the story; differences between Japanese and American thoughts and ways are portrayed with understanding and respect. Despite very minor stylistic flaws, the book is a welcome contrast to Michael Crichton's Rising Sun (Knopf, 1992) and could serve as a prequel. YAs will like the fast pace, strong love interest, and highly readable historical treatment.
Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Pinnacle Books (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786001224
• ISBN-13: 978-0786001224
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,953,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I Enjoyed It, October 26, 1999

By 

Reader Girl (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love and Infamy (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this bookfor the sole reason that Frank DeFord's name was attached to it. I wanted to see how this veteran 'sportswriter' would handle the topic of love and war. I have to say that he did a good job. He deftly describes pre-war Japan, and remains true to historical fact, for the most part. The love story between Cotton and Miyuki is somewhat 'Harlequin-esque' - (Lots of lingering looks, heavy breathing, unsaid declarations of love, descriptions of longing etc.) However, the strength of the story more than compensates for the romantic corniness - I was hooked. I would go as far to say that I would recommend it to my husband, who generally avoids romance tales.