Foundlings: A Dual Timeline Historical Novel of the Japanese Internment

by Richard Levesque

Kichiro Nakamura has lived on the edges of two cultures, a white foundling raised by Japanese parents in a small California fishing village. He dreams of getting published in the science fiction pulps, but the bombs that fall on Pearl Harbor destroy that dream. Struggling to hold on to his fragile identity, Kichiro must decide who he wants to be, but in a world torn by war and heartache, every choice means losing part of himself.

Decades later, recently bereaved professor Derek Chandler discovers a manuscript concealed in a former mental hospital and finds comfort in the distraction of searching for its author. But the search seems to die in a California fishing village that was leveled during World War II. There's one old woman who may still know the truth, but she's not talking, and her tattoo-artist granddaughter is blocking Derek's attempts to get any closer to the answers he seeks--answers he needs if he's going to complete his own healing journey.

Moving between modern and historical Los Angeles, Foundlings portrays grief, obsession, and redemption, along with the desperate need of the lost to be found.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2015

About the author

Richard Levesque was born near Montreal,Canada and grew up in Southern California.

He began writing while in college, publishing several pieces in college journals while working on his undergraduate degree at Cal Poly Pomona. After finishing his Master's Degree in 1990, he focused more on teaching than writing for a few years, eventually completing his Ph.D. at UC Riverside in 2000. His dissertation was on Hollywood novelists of the 1920s and 1930s.

Since 1999, he has been part of the English Department at Fullerton College and turned again to writing a few years ago. He primarily writes science fiction but continues to have a strong interest in early Hollywood and Los Angeles history and culture and often works those themes into his writing.

When not writing or grading papers, he spends time with his wife and daughter, works on his collection of old science fiction pulps and tries to be better than a mediocre guitar player.

Reviews

[Emmett J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, inventive and emotional portrayal of a dark time in U.S. history.

Richard Levesque has turned his considerable writing talent in a different direction for him and the reader.

I have enjoyed all his books because I love scifi. The clever style Richard constructed his novel is brilliant. I was considering the possibilities as to where this story was taking me right to the final page. It is a page Turner, I loved it.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kichiro Nakamura was abandoned, when he was just a baby, on the streets of Fish Harbor, on Terminal Island, where an important Japanese community lived for many years. Kichiro is adopted by a family on Fish harbor and he lives a happy life. The only thing that could cause troubles is that Kichiro is not of Japanese origin, and when the attack at Pearl Harbor happens, Kichiro is separated from his family and from what all he knows and loves. Many years later, Derek Chandler, a young college professor just relocated to California, happens to stumble upon an old manuscript written by Kichiro Nakamura. It is a science-fiction story, and longing for a distraction from all his troubles and worries, Chandler starts researching about who this Kichiro Nakamura could have been, since there is no Japanese science-fiction literature in America from the time the manuscript was written. During this investigation, Derek will meet Yuki Kamikazee, a tattoo artist, who could hold some clues to the mystery of Kichiro Nakamura.

Having read other works by Richard Levesque, who usually dwells in the science-fiction and cyberpunk genres, I have to say that this a completely different book. It really took me by surprise, but the story trapped me from the beginning and didn't let me go till the end. The audiobook is just short of 12 hours, but I have to admit that it just took me two days to listen to it.

There are two main storylines in the book: on one hand, we have Kichiro's sad story; while on the other hand, Derek and Yuki try to find out who this Kichiro was. The characters are extremely well depicted, and it's heartbreaking to witness how lives can change in a second. Even though this is not a science-fiction story, it is, in part, a story about science-fiction, and I especially enjoyed Kichiro's inspiration, and the mentioning of some old sci-fi heroes.

The story has a steady pace. There are a lot of events covered in the book, and it spans several decades, where we see our characters grow and evolve. There is a twist towards the end that I saw coming after two thirds into the book, but that didn't diminish any impact on the whole story.

I loved Steven Jay Cohen's narration. One of the things Cohen does best is transmitting the character's emotions. He brings them to life in a magical way, making me feel I'm listening to dear friends, and these friends are real, they suffer, they smile, they live, and they die. Steven Jay Cohen's narrations are always very powerful in a way that they trap you into the story, and don't let you go until all is said and done, and it finally leaves you empty and sad because everything is over.

This was absolutely one of the best books I have listened to lately, and I would recommend it, not only to Richard Leveque's fans, but also to anyone who would like to read a good and well-written story.

I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Mv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I really enjoyed it. This book has historical facts, a full circle mystery, and touched on many prejudices that are relevant today- not only within the Japanese people. The book’s chapters flip back and forth between the current day (with Derek and his companions), and the past (with the life of Kichiro x starting when he’s a young boy, up until his death). I like the way we gain insight into the true story of Kichiro and that we are privy to answers Derek is not.

After loosing his wife in a tragic accident, Derek moves and gets a new job. In his new office he finds a sci-fi manuscript written by an unknown author. Initially, he is interested in the mystery as a means of distraction, but soon he becomes enthralled with finding the answers. With the help of a couple people, he starts to find clues into the life of Kichiro. Derek’s not the only one with an interest in finding out the truth.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Steven Jay Cohen ) and I would gladly listen to another. I’m unaware of the correct pronunciation of Japanese words, but it sounds like the narrator does. He does very well with all the voices- from young to elderly females and young boys to adults. I could really imagine the characters from the narrator’s renditions. Listening to him, it’s easy to forget you’re listening to a book being read to you.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 5/5
Narration 5/5

[Sean Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The highest rating — 4-1/2 stars — on my personal chart shortchanges this book

Although I do not expect "Foundlings" by Richard Levesque to join the ranks of "David Copperfield" or "Red Badge of Courage", I was so captivated and moved by the book that I know that it will be a part of me the rest of my life.

Probably many (everybody?) would think that I gave bit pedantic attention to grammar. Fortunately there should be no quarrels here. Actually, I found only one phrase that I thought could have been worded better: on page 232, "one of the narrow roads that wound their way through the grounds." I felt could have benefitted from omitting "their way". Trivial. Oh, there were typos (obviously typos) — I think I noticed three — or maybe it was four.

Levesque weaves a tale that has two protagonists, and two timelines. (I hope this isn't a spoiler; it is made clear in the initial chapters of the book.) It also has two timelines. The handling of the protagonists and timelines, weaving in numerous critical characters, events, and locales is so well-done and effective that it suggests that this book may very well be considered a clasfic.

Additionally, the yarn that Levesque weaves touched me… okay, I admit, it made my eyes leak all the way to my chin. Twice.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundlings
: Richard Levesque

This is part historical fiction, part mystery/suspense, and hints of romance. The story line moved back and forth thru time without being time travel. This is a listen that keeps the listener on the edge waiting to see what what would happen next. The characters were interesting and the more you get to know them the more you want to know. This had enough twists to an unexpected ending.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Steven Jay Cohen voiced a fine story.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[norma baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In your mind, where do you live?

Everyone needs to belong, with a family, with friends, with community. What if your appearance sets you apart? This story is about a boy who grows up in Japanese fishing village in Hawaii, but he is not Japanese. It is a wonderful account of his life before and after Pearl Harbor as he searches for who he is and where he belongs.

[Alex Orap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only giving it 4* and not 5* because the Michelle/Dereck storyline felt a bit cheesy at times, but overall it’s a really good book. The Japanese boy’s story is a gripping and poignant one. Great plot twist at the end.
Listened to it on Audible.

[Kourosh Keshavarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real page turner. It captured the feelings surrounding the Japanese internment during the second world war. I am a big fan of books or movies where different stories converge at the end. This story did it very well. The characters were quite well defined and had very interesting back stories which made for a very rich reading experience. Highly recommended.