Brittany McCann's Reviews > Moloka'i
Moloka'i (Large Print)
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Brittany McCann's review
bookshelves: z2021-challenge, 5-stars, contemporary, fiction, historical-fiction, new-adult, reviews, romance, mystery
Mar 19, 2021
bookshelves: z2021-challenge, 5-stars, contemporary, fiction, historical-fiction, new-adult, reviews, romance, mystery
Wow.... this book was a LOT. Before reading this book, I feel so ignorant for never knowing about the leprosy island colony in Hawaii: Moloka'i. It is apparent from the beginning that Alan Brennert took on extensive research to remain as true to the reality of the time period as he could in this telling. I had literally NO idea! Then I spent a crap ton of time learning about it and leprosy (Hansen's disease) in general.
Alan Breenert took this topic on beautifully. Rachel was a well-done narrative voice. But the single thing that makes this book shine and brings it to life is Anne Noelani Miyamoto's spectacular narration. Please tell me this beautiful voice narrates other books because I want to listen to her more. She has now reached my top favorite narrative voices, with Marin Ireland still holding on to her title.
Moloka'i is told in chronological parts through the ages of Rachel Kalama, who, at 7 years of age, is diagnosed with leprosy and sent to be quarantined at Moloka'i in the late 1800s. The youngest age, Rachel, is the strongest of the entire book, while the coming of age section felt like the weakest. Rachel, as a young adult, is also a strong section, and Rachel is a middle-aged woman. Rachel's final telling as an older woman is again a bit weak but necessary.
There is a wonderful cast of phenomenal characters, such as Rachel's father, Henry, her uncle Kapono, and her friend Haleloa. All her friends on the island, such as Sister Catherine and Leilani, and of course, I had a soft spot for Kenji.
Brennert brings Rachel to life, and it is hard not to empathize with her and all she and others go through. This is worth the read for sure! I would LOVE to go to see the sights brought to life before my eyes one day.
A weird but hilarious quote that made me say What?!?:
"His handshake was soft and gentle, like the brushing of a leaf.:
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for me.
Alan Breenert took this topic on beautifully. Rachel was a well-done narrative voice. But the single thing that makes this book shine and brings it to life is Anne Noelani Miyamoto's spectacular narration. Please tell me this beautiful voice narrates other books because I want to listen to her more. She has now reached my top favorite narrative voices, with Marin Ireland still holding on to her title.
Moloka'i is told in chronological parts through the ages of Rachel Kalama, who, at 7 years of age, is diagnosed with leprosy and sent to be quarantined at Moloka'i in the late 1800s. The youngest age, Rachel, is the strongest of the entire book, while the coming of age section felt like the weakest. Rachel, as a young adult, is also a strong section, and Rachel is a middle-aged woman. Rachel's final telling as an older woman is again a bit weak but necessary.
There is a wonderful cast of phenomenal characters, such as Rachel's father, Henry, her uncle Kapono, and her friend Haleloa. All her friends on the island, such as Sister Catherine and Leilani, and of course, I had a soft spot for Kenji.
Brennert brings Rachel to life, and it is hard not to empathize with her and all she and others go through. This is worth the read for sure! I would LOVE to go to see the sights brought to life before my eyes one day.
A weird but hilarious quote that made me say What?!?:
"His handshake was soft and gentle, like the brushing of a leaf.:
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for me.
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Reading Progress
June 27, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 27, 2014
– Shelved
March 17, 2021
–
Started Reading
March 17, 2021
–
46.92%
"This book is crazy, I am really enjoying it, although so far, I prefer younger Rachel..
I had no idea there was a leprosy colony on one of the Hawaiin islands."
page
289
I had no idea there was a leprosy colony on one of the Hawaiin islands."
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
z2021-challenge
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
5-stars
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
contemporary
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
fiction
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
new-adult
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
reviews
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
romance
March 19, 2021
– Shelved as:
mystery
March 19, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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megs_bookrack
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 19, 2021 07:07PM
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![megs_bookrack](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532027727p1/48328025.jpg)
I would think that they would. It is seriously heart-wrenching. So good though. At first I was like, do we really need a sequel? But after reading it, I can't imagine not knowing the end of Rachel's story.
![Luella](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1618062909p1/89042035.jpg)
I loved reading your review, thank you.
I always read (listen to) one book on audio aswell as a physical copy of another book. So it's always great to hear a recommendation for a narrator. I've just checked audible, they don't seem to have Moloka'i but they have the sequel.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, I'm sold 🌙⭐
![Brittany McCann](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1702262204p1/30535238.jpg)
I loved reading your review, thank you.
I always read (listen to) one book on audio aswell as a physical copy of another book. So it..."
Thanks Sarah. That means a lot to me.
Also good to know about audible for Book 2. I used the library libby/overdrive to listen to the first one, but they don't have audio for book 2.
![Luella](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1618062909p1/89042035.jpg)
I will definitely try and get the audio version of Moloka'i.
Thank you again so much for sharing your thoughts and emotions Brittany 🌙⭐
![Brittany McCann](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1702262204p1/30535238.jpg)
Nooo, maybe I will be lazy and actually read the second book then ;) Thanks for the heads up. I don't like when they do that either. Thank you for your comments and new friendship