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Debbie W.'s Reviews > Moloka'i
Moloka'i (Moloka'i, #1)
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Debbie W.'s review
bookshelves: american-hawaii, historical-fiction, 2020-reads, favorites, gorgeous-cover
Aug 25, 2020
bookshelves: american-hawaii, historical-fiction, 2020-reads, favorites, gorgeous-cover
Why did I give this story 4.5 (round up to 5) stars?
1. I learned that during the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of people - men, women and children - were tragically separated from their loved ones and sent to Kalaupapa, a leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i to live out the rest of their days while suffering the debilitating effects of leprosy, as well as the ostracization from others, sometimes even from their own families.
2. My heart went out to the main character, Rachel, who as a 7-year old child, contracts leprosy and is forced to live on Moloka'i. I felt her confusion, her fears, and at times, her delights, over the many years that she lives on this island.
3. The story is told in 3rd person POV, not only from Rachel, but from several characters, adding to the richness and knowledge of this story.
4. My emotions for the characters were all over the place!
5. I learned a lot about the Hawaiian culture - its beliefs, traditions, food, language.
6. The inclusion of a map highlighting various communities on the Hawaiian islands as well as the Author's Note, was extremely beneficial.
7. I'm definitely looking forward to reading MOLOKA'I'S DAUGHTER!
Only one issue niggled at me - thoughts and dialogue sometimes sounded too 21st century (IMO).
Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction and want to learn about an obscure and devastating piece of history, I recommend that you read this book!
1. I learned that during the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of people - men, women and children - were tragically separated from their loved ones and sent to Kalaupapa, a leper colony on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i to live out the rest of their days while suffering the debilitating effects of leprosy, as well as the ostracization from others, sometimes even from their own families.
2. My heart went out to the main character, Rachel, who as a 7-year old child, contracts leprosy and is forced to live on Moloka'i. I felt her confusion, her fears, and at times, her delights, over the many years that she lives on this island.
3. The story is told in 3rd person POV, not only from Rachel, but from several characters, adding to the richness and knowledge of this story.
4. My emotions for the characters were all over the place!
5. I learned a lot about the Hawaiian culture - its beliefs, traditions, food, language.
6. The inclusion of a map highlighting various communities on the Hawaiian islands as well as the Author's Note, was extremely beneficial.
7. I'm definitely looking forward to reading MOLOKA'I'S DAUGHTER!
Only one issue niggled at me - thoughts and dialogue sometimes sounded too 21st century (IMO).
Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction and want to learn about an obscure and devastating piece of history, I recommend that you read this book!
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Reading Progress
July 31, 2019
– Shelved
July 31, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 27, 2020
– Shelved as:
american-hawaii
August 18, 2020
–
Started Reading
August 18, 2020
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
August 25, 2020
–
Finished Reading
February 24, 2021
– Shelved as:
2020-reads
February 24, 2021
– Shelved as:
favorites
July 1, 2021
– Shelved as:
gorgeous-cover
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Jenna
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Aug 26, 2020 05:31AM
Sounds both interesting and devastating! It is horrific to think of anyone suffering on this island, much less the 7 year old child. I hope the second book will appeal to you just as much, Debbie..... and as for the modern thoughts and dialogue, I don't know why some authors do that! Maybe they simply aren't aware of it but you'd think their copy editor would catch it.
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Thanks, Jenna! I really felt heartbroken for the children that were forced to live there. Also, many patients’ spouses divorced them because of the stigma. As for the dialogue, it is my opinion but I’m sure many readers didn’t see an issue with it.
So glad you enjoyed it, Debbie. I did, too. Fascinating, heartbreaking, inspiring.
Thanks, Mary! I so agree!
Excellent review, read this when it 1st came out & story made a deep impression.
A very well written review, Debbie. I am so glad that you enjoyed this book. It sounds interesting but also heartbreaking.
Kim wrote: "Excellent review, read this when it 1st came out & story made a deep impression."Thanks, Kim! It definitely opened my eyes to this event in history! Have you read the sequel MOLOKA'I'S DAUGHTER yet?
Kathleen wrote: "A very well written review, Debbie. I am so glad that you enjoyed this book. It sounds interesting but also heartbreaking."Thanks, Kathleen! It really tugged at my heartstrings!
Wonderful review, Debbie...both this book and the following book were so beautiful despite the subject matters.
MarilynW wrote: "Wonderful review, Debbie...both this book and the following book were so beautiful despite the subject matters."Thank you, Marilyn! I think I will have to sign out a copy of the following book from my local library very soon!
Wonderful review Debbie. This one was a slow read for me, but I loved the Island by Victoria Hislop which is about leper colony on a separate island.
Annette wrote: "Wonderful review Debbie. This one was a slow read for me, but I loved the Island by Victoria Hislop which is about leper colony on a separate island."Thanks, Annette! I learned so much while reading this novel! A mention of the island of Molokai is given in Robert Louis Stevenson's short story The Bottle Imp. If I hadn't read Moloka'i previously, I would have been totally ignorant about that place and time period!
Excellent review Debbie
Margaret wrote: "Excellent review Debbie"Thanks, Margaret!
Wonderful and interesting review, Debbie!
J.K. wrote: "Wonderful and interesting review, Debbie!"Thank you, J.K.! I enjoy reading historical fiction that focuses on a slice of history not too many people know about!
