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Chrissie's Reviews > Moloka'i
Moloka'i
by
by
Chrissie's review
bookshelves: hf, medical, kirkus, usa, islands, kindle, life-stages, hawaii
Apr 01, 2009
bookshelves: hf, medical, kirkus, usa, islands, kindle, life-stages, hawaii
NO SPOILERS!!!
I want to make it very clear; those of you who are looking for a book of historical fiction on life in Hawaii, look no further - this is your book. Do not make the mistake I made by first trying Shark Dialogues. I could not complete Shark Dialogues. Moloka'i will teach you about life in Hawai through the 1900s. It will teach you about leprosy, today called Hansen's Disease. I thought I knew quite a bit about this disease. This book proved me wrong. I learned so much. This book brings the horrors of this disease to you, the reader, as a mighty punch in the stomach. I learned so much. Besides learning about the disease, I learned about Hawaii. I feel I can now smell it and see it and feel it. The mositure, the pounding surf, the majestic mountains, cliffs and crumbling paths mounting the peaks. You learn not only about the physical landscape but also native Hawaiian customs and belifs.The reason why I give this book four stars is that I learned so much. The historical and medical facts are presented in the framework of an engaging tale.
There is an excellent author's note at the end. It explains what is fact and what is fiction. Several of the characters are based on true experiences and real people. So much history is reflected in this book. Not merely the treatment of leprosy, but also the death of King Kaläkua, the reign of Queen Lili'uokalani, the American take-over, WW2 and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fires, the tsunami, the marvels of invention that characterize the early 1900s, the Depression, all of this is covered from the Hawaiian perspective. It is fascinating to read this book.
Rachel is the main protagonist of the book. Her life is very difficult and heart-wrenching, but there is humor. That which happens in her life makes the reader understand how it might feel to be a leper then, there, in Hawaii, in the 1900s. The style of writing is straight-forward. The circumstances and facts are presented so you come to understand the people who suffered the stigma of leprosy and the events of the times.
I want to make it very clear; those of you who are looking for a book of historical fiction on life in Hawaii, look no further - this is your book. Do not make the mistake I made by first trying Shark Dialogues. I could not complete Shark Dialogues. Moloka'i will teach you about life in Hawai through the 1900s. It will teach you about leprosy, today called Hansen's Disease. I thought I knew quite a bit about this disease. This book proved me wrong. I learned so much. This book brings the horrors of this disease to you, the reader, as a mighty punch in the stomach. I learned so much. Besides learning about the disease, I learned about Hawaii. I feel I can now smell it and see it and feel it. The mositure, the pounding surf, the majestic mountains, cliffs and crumbling paths mounting the peaks. You learn not only about the physical landscape but also native Hawaiian customs and belifs.The reason why I give this book four stars is that I learned so much. The historical and medical facts are presented in the framework of an engaging tale.
There is an excellent author's note at the end. It explains what is fact and what is fiction. Several of the characters are based on true experiences and real people. So much history is reflected in this book. Not merely the treatment of leprosy, but also the death of King Kaläkua, the reign of Queen Lili'uokalani, the American take-over, WW2 and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fires, the tsunami, the marvels of invention that characterize the early 1900s, the Depression, all of this is covered from the Hawaiian perspective. It is fascinating to read this book.
Rachel is the main protagonist of the book. Her life is very difficult and heart-wrenching, but there is humor. That which happens in her life makes the reader understand how it might feel to be a leper then, there, in Hawaii, in the 1900s. The style of writing is straight-forward. The circumstances and facts are presented so you come to understand the people who suffered the stigma of leprosy and the events of the times.
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Reading Progress
April 1, 2009
– Shelved
April 1, 2009
– Shelved as:
hf
April 1, 2009
– Shelved as:
medical
April 1, 2009
– Shelved as:
kirkus
April 1, 2009
– Shelved as:
usa
October 15, 2009
– Shelved as:
islands
June 17, 2011
– Shelved as:
kindle
June 18, 2011
–
Started Reading
June 18, 2011
– Shelved as:
life-stages
June 23, 2011
–
Finished Reading
September 27, 2011
– Shelved as:
hawaii
Comments Showing 1-50 of 64 (64 new)
message 1:
by
Lisa
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Feb 08, 2011 12:21PM
Ooh. I'm excited to read this. I convinced my book club to read this for our April book.
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I'm looking forward to see you comments on this book.
I am so annoyed I bought the wrong book!
you cannot change it??
Honestly Laura, I am really bad at figuring out how to do this stuff on computers.... So I am scared of BookMooch!Belgian mail costs are high. I trust ABeBooks but I have never returned anything ther. I do not know how. I have tried trading books at Belgian second hand stores and you get peanuts. The guy was really yucky! If I mail it to Amazon, do I get credit for buying another book? However their mailing costs are so high the whole idea seems worthless. I don't think international swap at GR works yet. I am all prepared. I have a swap helf and wishlist shelves!
What I wish is that someone just wanted to read this book, and they had a book I wanted to read and we switch. First I trash the book in my review and then I expect someone to want to read it?! Kind of illogical, but I am not about to start saying I like abook I don't. If I just knew someone who wanted to read it! That seems so much simpler than anything else! I do have a whole shelf of swapable books but I guess no one knows this. Everyone know what to do, but I don't!
So yes, I could take it to that yucky guy here in Belgium.... and get a few pennies. Yup, I could take a bag and go downtown with them.
And as I have explained, due to the hight cost of mailing, it is usually a better deal to buy a book from BookDepository than to start with BookMooch. Thanks for your concern! It certainly is not a problem. I just made a mistake and Iwill have to live with that.
if the mail costs are high, it doesn't make sense to return this item then. Unless you post into your Bookmooch and you establish that "I Only Send Books To my Country".
Laura, I also checked out Amazon and again the cost of mailing is what wrecks the profitability. Honestly, Bookmooch isn't going to work well if I limit the sales to within Belgium! The best is if I just take them to a book store here in Belgium, but even then we are talking peanuts! The demand for English books is extremely low!
Yeah, but heavens, this is not a serious problem!
Hi Chrissie, Molokai is a terrific book. I read this with my book group and I think most everyone enjoyed it. Sometimes heart-wrenching story about a young women growing up under very unusual and difficult circumstances but ultimately and inspiring story.
As I understand it, you also get Hawaiian history too. Right? Or is the history minimal?
There was some Hawaiian history but not a lot if I remember correctly. What I remember most is how this closed community watched history progress around them including the attack on Pearl Harbor and all the changing technology.
OK, so the central theme is the community of lepers. Do you learn about how the treatment has improved? I believe that treatments did begin in the 30s, but then the bacterias grew resistant, so it wasn't until the 1980s that a true cure was found. Is this part of the book too? Or is it predominatly life in the coummunity and how they helped eachother, how they formed new "families"?
Chrissie wrote: "OK, so the central theme is the community of lepers. Do you learn about how the treatment has improved? I believe that treatments did begin in the 30s, but then the bacterias grew resistant, so it ..."there is a lot about the treatment, including the natural alternatives by the native's island.
Oh, you finally got a copy!!!
I have just begun. Already I love Rachel's curiosity. I love how she asked which water Jesus walked over! And her religion teacher, Mr. Mac Reedy, he just blinked. Nobody seemed to have ever asked him this before. For me, it is such little comments as this that make me laugh and appreciate a book.
Though sad and poignant, there is so much humor in this book. I loved all of it.
Lisa wrote: "Though sad and poignant, there is so much humor in this book. I loved all of it."I do agree with you Lisa, an excellent reading Chrissie, hope you will enjoy as much as we did.
I have only read 40ish pages and I have bonded with Rachel. I think I will like it as much as you two.
Chrissie wrote: "I have only read 40ish pages and I have bonded with Rachel. I think I will like it as much as you two."Oh good! Yes, I LOVE this book. Rachel is a wonderful character.
Laura and Lisa, how the family reacts to the discovery of Rachel's illness is spot-on. And what can I say, but Rachel's first encounter with hospitals and doctors was so perfect that I was in tears. When I read the words in the book they were so close to my emotions when I first got diabetes. I was stunned at how well Brennert captured the emotions of not just Rachel but her whole family. Rachel's emotions just blew me over. The words put me back to my own experiences. The writing is that good!
Didn't one of you say in your reviews that there is a glossary of Hawaiian words? I cannot find that in the Kindle, so I am making my own since everytime a new word is used, it is explained. Is there a glossary?
Chrissie wrote: "Didn't one of you say in your reviews that there is a glossary of Hawaiian words? I cannot find that in the Kindle, so I am making my own since everytime a new word is used, it is explained. Is the..."Chrissie, I don't remember a glossary. Here's what I said: "I absolutely loved all the Hawaiian words interspersed throughout, all with their English counterparts right with them so their meaning was always apparent."
Chrissie, Oh, I didn't first see your message 22. So much in this book touched me so deeply. I'm so glad you're getting to read this.
Lisa, I am very glad too! I have so many to thank for getting to this point - the book sitting here in my lap. First of all I must thank you and Laura for your engaging reviews and subsequent discussion of the book. And then Alan Brennert, the author, and his editor who pushed to make it available in the Kindle format on the European market. And actually also the book Shark Dialogues. It too is about leprosy and Hawaii, but I disliked it so much that I quit in the middle. This pushed me to find another book! And then of course GR. Without GR none of this would have happened. Thanks to all of you.
Chrissie, It really does all come down to Goodreads. Even Alan Brennert's efforts and maybe you even knowing much about this book or trying to get it for Kindle, and maybe even getting the Kindle when you did, all of those might not have happened without Goodreads. Definitely not Laura's and my reviews. Hooray for Goodreads!
Lisa wrote: "Chrissie, It really does all come down to Goodreads. Even Alan Brennert's efforts and maybe you even knowing much about this book or trying to get it for Kindle, and maybe even gettin..."Hooray!!!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
Great review, I have the book on request at the library, but they only have one copy and it's currently out on loan.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. Chrissie.
Gundula, I approached the book thinking I understood leprosy. I understood nothing. I also learned a lot about Hawaiin history and culture. Historical fiction should teach; this book does. I didn't put in any quotes, and that is because the prose is so verystraight-forward. Sometimes I felt we were being "told" rather than "shown", but then immediately came a section where we were shown. I think the need to tell was necessary because the book covers topics so thoroughly. Gundula, I really am happy that my review helps explain a book in advance. There is no reason to read a book that will not fit our interests. Picking the right book for each person is important. Even a good book will not fit everyone. Donna, you gave it four stars too!
Hi my friends! Chrissie, what a wonderful review you gave, and no spoilers, so I read it completely. I just got this book last week, I've been wanting to read it forever, so finally got around to buying it. Seeing how much you and Lisa think of it, I'm even more excited to read it. I have about 3 books ahead of it, but I think this is what I will take on vacation with me in early August -- a nice read for my plane ride. I'll be sure to check back in with you when I read it.
Diane, Wonderful, it is essential to have a good book on a plane trip. I also read when we take the car to Sweden (18hrs) or Brittany (10hrs). Laura also loved it. She even went to Hawaii. Lisa, I am sure you enjoyed the bits about San Francisco. Alan can really describe places and events.
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, I approached the book thinking I understood leprosy. I understood nothing. I also learned a lot about Hawaiin history and culture. Historical fiction should teach; this book does. I didn't..."More excited than ever about reading it, just hope it becomes available soon at the library.
Chrissie, I did enjoy the California parts, but mostly enjoyed the Hawaii parts because that's where I learned the most, and it was all so interesting.
Lisa, yeah I thought of the extra plus you must have given it when it drew San Francisco! I agree, the main focus is of course Hawaii. It is amazing what I have learned! I had to immediately warn people NOT to read Shark Dialogues. Two books, one is so wonderful and the other so terrible, and I made the wrong choice the first time around. I don't want anyone to make my mistake. Lisa, thank you for pushing me to read this book. Your enthusiasm pushed me.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Chrissie. I can't imagine it being as good but I want to read Honolulu, and I'm very curious about the subject of the book Alan Brennert is working on currently.
I will check the links!
Chelsea, nice you liked the review. It really brought home to the reader how it might be to be a leper then and there in Hawaii. There were so many aspects of the disease that I had no idea about. The book also makes you want to visit Hawaii. Have you been there?
I really need to get to this book. Have you seen "Princess Ka'iulani"? It's about the last Queen of Hawaii prior to the US taking over :(. Great movie.
I went to Hawaii - the big island when I was in high school. Got sun poisoning my first day because I was a dope about sunscreen. But what I saw was beautiful.
I went to Hawaii when I was in high school. Got sun poisoning my first day because I was a dope about sunscreen. But what I saw was beautiful.
Cynthia, I just added that movie to my DVD queue.I was in Hawaii, briefly, when I was 10: 2 days on Oahu, 1 on Maui, 1 on Hawaii, and 1 on Kauai = 5 days.
It was gorgeous and interesting, but I'd love to go back, and to more islands include Molokai, for longer to both relax and learn more. This book did make me want to go back, and I assume I'll want to even more if/when I read Honolulu.
All of you who have been there...... Jeeze, I envy you! And my brother. He lives in California, surfs and adores surfing in Hawaii......I loved learning more about the history of Hawaii. The Americans have something to be ashamed of here. And then Japanese internment camps. I was particularly touched by the mourning of the Hawaiin people when their last King died.
Cynthia and Lisa, I haven't seen the movie. The way you guys sign up for movies and get them sent home is so amazing to me. What is available here in Belgium are either Dutch or French films. DVDs with several languages are predominantly not available in English except for the latest most popular films, which are usually French. I do like French films, although I am much more of a book person. In Stockholm, when the kids lived at home, we had a video store right across the street. In Sweden, English language films were very popular - on TV, at the movies, video stores. Here the taste is very different. I have tried ordering a film; it never works.
Don't want to make you even more jealous Chrissie, but what's even more amazing is that Princess Ka'iulani is available Instantly on Netflix. I can watch it now and not wait for it to be sent in the mail.
Chrissie, I don't watch very many films. I am on Netflix's cheapest plan: 2 DVDs a month, and then I sometimes borrow 2 or 3 a month from the library, so I watch as many as 1 a week, but often it's less than that.Yes, a lot to be ashamed of regarding the Japanese internment camps, which I knew about as soon as I learned of them.
Now, though, I'm just learning about Hawaii. I remember when it became a state (I was 5-1/2 years old) and it was cause for celebration in California, where I lived. I don't think it occurred to any of us there that the people in Hawaii would be any less pleased. So wrong!
"The way you guys sign up for movies and get them sent home is so amazing to me."It's amazing to me too and I'm addicted.
We are all on line!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wonderful. I have heard about Netfix. Do the films come on your TV, or must you look at the computer? Belgium is so antiquated. I think in Sweden more such possibilites will be available. Maybe in two years time, when we live in Sweden, I will move from the dark ages to modern time. I really do not know what is available in France, but I bet it is better than Belgium. Anne, go rent it. You can sit and watch it now with Roland curled up next to you. I haven't seen a movie in over a year...... Oscar would have to sit at home alone. So why not read a book and keep him company? Lisa, four films a month, every month, is not so little in my book, but Americans have a completely different standard I am going to go back to my book. If you haven't gotten my message loud and clear - the book After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam is utterly fascinating. I am spouting information to my husband, and he asked me if I was almost done. I have only read like 40 pages.
The instant films can be watched on TV if it's hooked up properly. For now, I watch on my computer. I just received the free book which I need to read and review. I will go outside to read it and Roland will sit with me or go under the house where it's cool. I can't watch a movie when it's so sunny and beautiful outside; not when our Spring/Summer is so short and the winter so long. But I will watch the movie very soon - maybe tonite.
