Middle Son - Deborah Iida

Set in Hawaii, Middle Son tells the story of Spencer, a sansei Japanese-American who has returned home from war to his dying mother. Ostensibly a middle son, Spencer lost his older brother while they were still children, and his younger brother was given up to relatives with no children of their own. The truth surrounding the death of the older brother has been kept a secret by Spencer and his younger brother their whole lives, and has haunted Spencer and his relationship with his parents. There is not a whole lot to the plit of this novel. But, what I truly enjoyed about it was the Hawaiian setting, the delicious foods described in detail, and the Pidgin English spoken by the characters - all of which reminded me of home.