ROBERT H. KONO — WESTWARD LIES THE SUN

Westward Lies The Sun

Greg Sonoda, a Japanese American attorney, embarks on a quest to determine what influence God has in his life. In the back of his mind is the question, first and foremost, of whether God exists at all. God is such an elusive concept to a humanist, who, from his earliest years, was made to question God's very existence-he suffered in the concentration camps for the duration of WWII-and he doubts his efforts will ever come to fruition. In Westward Lies the Sun, Greg's search for truth is given voice during the frequent debates with his poker foursome, although the late-night discussions produce more questions than answers. But they do serve to articulate thoughts and feelings about sundry issues such as the search for Greg's family heirloom: a samurai sword stolen during Greg's incarceration in the camps. More significantly, Greg is forced to ponder God's hand in his family's survival after being shipwrecked on a small, uninhabited Micronesian island. Greg and his family make several discoveries on the island that lead to financial success and miraculous physical healing. But will the island also heal Greg spiritually? The family sword-Onimaru-is ultimately used in a showdown on the island with Greg's quest for God, together with his mental and physical survival, hanging in the balance.

This week we’re speaking with Robert H. Kono, author of Westward Lies The Sun. Mr. Kono, welcome to Martin Matthews Writes!

Thank you, Martin. It's a pleasure to be here.

It’s a pleasure for me, truly, Mr. Kono. Now, before we get into the book, tell my audience a little about yourself.

I’m a Sansei, a third-generation Japanese American born in LA and grew up there till I was nine-years-old. That I’m ninety-years-old and still writing, and my aim is to entertain, enlighten and inspire through my works.

90 years young! That amazing, and I am glad you’re still writing. Okay, the moment has come! Tell us a little about your book:

Westward Lies The Sun is about Greg Sonoda, a Japanese American attorney, embarks on a quest to determine what influence God has in his life.In the back of his mind is the question, first and foremost, of whether God exists at all. God is such an elusive concept to a humanist, who, from his earliest years, was made to question God's very existence-he suffered in the concentration camps for the duration of WWII-and he doubts his efforts will ever come to fruition. In Westward Lies the Sun, Greg's search for truth is given voice during the frequent debates with his poker foursome, although the late-night discussions produce more questions than answers. But they do serve to articulate thoughts and feelings about sundry issues such as the search for Greg's family heirloom: a samurai sword stolen during Greg's incarceration in the camps. More significantly, Greg is forced to ponder God's hand in his family's survival after being shipwrecked on a small, uninhabited Micronesian island. Greg and his family make several discoveries on the island that lead to financial success and miraculous physical healing. But will the island also heal Greg spiritually? The family sword-Onimaru-is ultimately used in a showdown on the island with Greg's quest for God, together with his mental and physical survival, hanging in the balance.

Is there a message behind your book? What is it?

It is that the search for God is a never-ending one and God is to be found within.

Who or what are some of your biggest influences?

Ernest Hemingway and Fydor Dostoevsky and their works greatly influenced me and determined the direction that my writing was to take.

Can you tell us what are you currently reading?

The Brothers Karamazov.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

I hope the reader comes away from this book stimulated and inspired to seek God and an understanding of where he stands in relation to God.

Robert, thanks for stopping by and chatting with me today. It’s truly been a pleasure!

Thank you for your time, Martin.

Robert H. Kono

Born in 1932, Robert H. Kono was a boy of nine when he was evacuated and thrown into concentration camps for the duration of WWII. After the war in 1946, he repatriated to war-torn, postwar Japan with his parents as a young, displaced American lookalike outsider. He managed to return to the United States in 1959 to get married and complete his college education at the University of Washington where he earned his B.A. in English, Advanced Writing, and served as editor in chief of the campus literary magazine, Assay, after being elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He began to write in earnest after retirement to produce seven works of fiction to date, including a volume of short stories.

Martin MatthewsComment