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David Guterson

David Guterson gives us an insight into the conflicts between the Americans and Japanese in San Piedro in his novel.
We see how the love life of Ishmael changed and we could notice similarities and differences during his growing up.
Ishmael grew up with the japanese girl, Hatsue and as a kid they were just good friends, but by the time they fell in love. Both Ishmael and Hatsue knew that it was very difficult to have a relationship in this way, but Ishmael never gave up hope. Hatsue´s mother always wanted the best for her daughter and she insisted on that Hatsue have a japanese boyfriend. So they weren´t friends in public, because of their fear and the gap between the Americans and Japanese sides and this situation didn´t change when Ishmael got older. Ishmael always met Hatsue in the wood under a cedar and there he kissed her the first time. When they got older Ishmael wanted to marry Hatsue, because he really was determined to keep the feelings for her forever but in contrast to Ishmael, Hatsue knew that it wasn`t possible.
She left Ishmael and after some time she married a japanese man, named Kabuo. By the time Ishmael began to hate Hatsue and he recognize that she didn´t want him any more, but on the other hand Hatsue only married Kabuo to get over Ishmael and to put him out of her life. After a long time he met Hatsue in a courtroom, because her husband was a defendant of a murder. Ishmael noted that Kabuo didn´t was a murderer and that the man died just because of an accident. At the first time Ishmael didn´t say anything, but he knew the truth. He thought that Kabuo got arrested and that it might would give a chance that Hatsue turned back to Ishmael.
Nevertheless he told it to the judge and Kabuo got free. Ishmael just wanted the best for Hatsue and that she felt happy, although she didn´t come back to him, but afterwards he had a good feeling.