Michael Steffan

"North Pacific" certainly held my interest to the end. I rate as commendable the focus on the immigrant experience in the U.S. in the early-to-mid 20th century, its setting in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and its historical accuracy. It's obvious that author Michael Steffan knows the subjects he's writing about, from the streets of Tacoma and WWII history to philosophy and Catholic liturgy.

Less than commendable to me (admittedly not a fan of Christian fiction) are the moral choices of his protagonists. Joseph never considers marriage to Miku, the love of his life, and allows her to walk away? Miku discovers she's "never been so happy in all my life" but concludes it's "contrary to [God's] commandments and our faith" (p. 402)? Sheryl Crow sings, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." It's too bad Michael Steffan allows a potentially uplifting story to take so many wrong turns that it becomes an avoidable tragedy.

Thank you LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for allowing me to review this book.… (meer)

This is the story of one mans life, his dreams, his love for one woman and his faith in God. The main character Joseph Vaenko grew up in the Pacific North West in the city of Tacoma as the only child of an immigrant family. His father wants more for him than the sawmill job he has and so Joseph is introduced to a priest who has much influence over Joseph's education. Joseph is intelligent and he excels at his studies and eventually becomes a teacher at the local university. One morning at church Joseph catches sight of a beautiful woman of Japanese decent. He is smitten. They fall in love but because of her heritage and their religious code of moral ethics decide to separate. They are both heartbroken. World War II begins and they are separated by not only choice but circumstances, but they never forget each other. Joseph has may questions for God that as his life moves on are slowly answered. This is one mans journey through life, love and adversity where he arrives on the other side of it a happy and grateful man.… (meer)