Moloka’i
Alan Brennert
number of voters: 7
percentage of voters who finished the book: 100
highest rating: 9
lowest rating: 7.5
average rating: 8.03
percentage of readers who liked this book particularly because of the history: 100
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At the intersection of history, Hawaii, and leprosy lies the fascinating novel Moloka’i. In 1891, a young Hawaiian girl contracts leprosy. She is torn from her family and sent to live in the leper colony at Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka’i. How her life unfolds from this point is best left to author Alan Brennert’s competent prose.
The historical part of this historical fiction book was a completely new and fascinating topic for us. The irony of a beautiful island paradise serving as a prison is haunting; the humanity of the colony’s inhabitants is astounding. The fact that hundreds of people were ripped from their families is horrifying; the government’s desire to protect the rest of a population is frighteningly understandable.
As for the fiction, it is a shocking and tragic story, yet surprisingly sweet and moving. We couldn’t help but root for the young heroine, and her life story quickly became too interesting to put down.
The novel itself is not without its flaws—it is at times choppy and can be repetitive—but these flaws are minor compared to the rewarding experience of the book as a whole. Moloka’i is a well-crafted piece of historical fiction. Recommended.
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