Hannah's Reviews > Moloka'i
Moloka'i (Moloka'i, #1)
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![2411388](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p2/2411388.jpg)
Disappointing.
Underwhelming.
Squandered potential.
Lacks "soul".
These are a few of the things that immediately sprang to mind after finishing Molika'i. After reading several 2 star reviews here on Goodreads by more gifted reviewers then myself, I really can't add much more without becoming repetitive.
Suffice it to say, this book had so much potential. So much possibility. And although a vast majority of readers thought it met (and exceeded) those parameters, for me it fell flat.
I wanted my soul to be moved while reading this. I wanted my heart to be engaged. I wanted to feel real sympathy for these fictional characters played out against a very non-fictional aspect of history. Instead, I yawned - frequently. I looked to see how many pages were left. I got tired of the innumerable instances of "info-dumping" (and plotline wrangling in order to create the "info-dump" moment). I thought of how a writer like my favorite M.M. Kaye would have handled this scene or that situation. I got frustrated over the shallow writing and the contemporary feel of a story that was supposed to take place over 100 years ago. And finally, I closed the book and was sad that what could have been an awesome story fell flat for me (expecially since I've been on a run of mediocre reads lately).
This is a minority opinion - but it's mine. Hope it's a better read for others.
Underwhelming.
Squandered potential.
Lacks "soul".
These are a few of the things that immediately sprang to mind after finishing Molika'i. After reading several 2 star reviews here on Goodreads by more gifted reviewers then myself, I really can't add much more without becoming repetitive.
Suffice it to say, this book had so much potential. So much possibility. And although a vast majority of readers thought it met (and exceeded) those parameters, for me it fell flat.
I wanted my soul to be moved while reading this. I wanted my heart to be engaged. I wanted to feel real sympathy for these fictional characters played out against a very non-fictional aspect of history. Instead, I yawned - frequently. I looked to see how many pages were left. I got tired of the innumerable instances of "info-dumping" (and plotline wrangling in order to create the "info-dump" moment). I thought of how a writer like my favorite M.M. Kaye would have handled this scene or that situation. I got frustrated over the shallow writing and the contemporary feel of a story that was supposed to take place over 100 years ago. And finally, I closed the book and was sad that what could have been an awesome story fell flat for me (expecially since I've been on a run of mediocre reads lately).
This is a minority opinion - but it's mine. Hope it's a better read for others.
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Reading Progress
October 25, 2011
– Shelved
Started Reading
October 28, 2011
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Finished Reading
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by
Arlene
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rated it 3 stars
Oct 28, 2011 11:16AM
![Arlene](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347048609p1/1746727.jpg)
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![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
![Arlene](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347048609p1/1746727.jpg)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Really, you too? We're just going to have to watch each other's back from this time forward :)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
You and me both!
Don't even get me started on Oprah. I don't think she has had one "pick" that I've had the least bit of interest in picking up and reading - lol!
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Agreed. The days of purchasing books outright has come and gone for me a long time ago. At least this way we're only out the disappointment of a bad read, and not our hard earned $$.
![Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1381602286p1/1849875.jpg)
Agreed. The days of purchasing books outright has come and g..."
I agree Hannah..unless it belongs to a series I already have & enjoy..I now borrow.
![Arlene](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347048609p1/1746727.jpg)
Don't even get me started on Oprah. I don't think she has had one "pick" that I've had the least bit of interest in picking up and reading - lol! "
I've given her a few tries and we're just not on the same field when it comes to book choices. Now I just use her picks as a filtering technique. :)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Ah yes, the "she-liked-it-so-I-need-to-stay-clear-of-it" technique!
I approve wholeheartedly :D
![Misfit](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1496595931p1/1375548.jpg)
![Crystal Starr Light](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1705617148p1/3990525.jpg)
![Misfit](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1496595931p1/1375548.jpg)
![Rachel Piper](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1416707719p1/245387.jpg)
Don't even get me started on Oprah. I don't think she has had one "pick" that I've had the least bit of interest in picking up and reading - lol! "
I've given h..."
Pretty much the sole Oprah book I love is East of Eden, which I recommend to fans of John Steinbeck, people who've never read John Steinbeck, people who HAVE read John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice & Men) and hated it, and everyone else. East of Eden is amazing.
But yeah. Many other books that Oprah picked have really cool concepts but poor delivery, which makes me think Oprah heard the pitch and said, "Ooooh, OK!" without reading the book.
![Kim](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1454402751p1/4542979.jpg)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Misfit,
I liked your review of Honolulu, but I don't think I'll be checking it out for myself. Your comment about the heroine being too much of a 21st century character hit home. I felt the same thing for his characters in this book. I don't think Brennert knows how to create a period feel, and his writing didn't do anything for me.
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Hi Rachel,
East of Eden blew me away when I read it in high school. It's definitely one I need to revisit to see if it's as awesome as I remember.
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
That's one of the great things about GR, Kim - we can discover so many books we would otherwise have only walked by in a bookstore.
This is certainly a book you'll either love or hate. I wouldn't discourage you from trying it one day, but only if you have nothing better to pick up.
Same experience for me -- many of my GR friends love this one. It wasn't high on my list, but the diversity of opinions on GR surprises me, and also encourages me.
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Yes, you never know which side of the fence you're going to land on with a book like this - kind of exciting, huh? :D
I guess! lol Sometimes I feel like I always land on the other side of the fence from everyone else.
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Me, too :(
Once in a while you and I end up on the same side, which is indeed a consolation. :)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Flattery will get you everywhere...
:D
![Christine Honsinger](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1569270789p1/5611089.jpg)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Thanks, Christine. It takes a talented writer to be able to provide info. within the context of a book without "info. dumping". Unfortunately, the writer of Moloka'i wasn't adept at it :(
I hope you'll enjoy MM Kaye.
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Thanks, Melissa. I'm sorry it was a disappointing read for you also.
![Diana](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1335207673p1/8994877.jpg)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Hi Diana,
I'm sorry it was a disappointing read for you as well. I liked your comment about it reading like an instruction book for accountants - it definitely had "stand-offish" feel to what should have been an emotional story (at least for those of us who didn't like it).
![Lauren](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1309042577p1/5692421.jpg)
![Hannah](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1272561978p1/2411388.jpg)
Thanks, Lauren. Glad to know others had some of the same feelings I did over it - especially regarding the part about wishing another (better) author could have written it.