Japanese-American Author David Mura Will Read From His New Novel at The Seattle Public Library

Author David Mura will read from his book, “Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire” from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Seattle Public Library, Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S.

The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Free parking is available in the branch parking lot.

“Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire” is about Ben Ohara, a third-generation Japanese-American. He is the only surviving member of his family. His brother has disappeared, his mother is recently deceased and his father, a World War II draft resister during the internment of Japanese-Americans, committed suicide. Ohara sets off for the West Coast to look into the circumstances of his brother’s disappearance.

Mura previously wrote the memoirs, “Where the Body Meets Memory: An Odyssey of Race, Sexuality and Identity” and “Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei,” which won a 1991 Josephine Miles Book Award and was listed in the New York Times Notable Books of the Year. He teaches at Hamline University, Voices of the Nation Association and the University of Maine’s Stonecoast master of fine arts program. He lives in Minneapolis.

For more information, call the branch at 206-684-4711.

Date and Time : Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location : The Seattle Public Library.

Cost : Free.