"Sophie and the Rising Sun" is a novel by Augusta Trobaugh, first published in 2001. The story is set in a small coastal town in South Carolina during World War II and follows the unlikely romance between Sophie, a lonely white woman, and Mr. Oto, a mysterious Japanese man. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate the racial and cultural tensions of the time, as well as the threat of violence and suspicion from the townspeople. The novel explores themes of love, prejudice, and the human capacity for empathy and understanding. With its vivid portrayal of small-town life in the American South and its poignant portrayal of a forbidden romance, "Sophie and the Rising Sun" is considered a powerful and affecting work of historical fiction.
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