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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Moving sequel following Ruth, the daughter given up for adoption by the heroine of Moloka'i. Much of the book focuses on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II - a shameful chapter of American history that profoundly affects Ruth and her family. In the last section, Ruth is reunited with her Hawaiian mother and discovers another part of her heritage. Recommended for fans of the original, but can also stand alone.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautiful sequel to a beautiful book. Daughter of Moloka’i is Ruth’s story. The story of the daughter Rachel was forced to relinquish on Moloka’i. Initially sent to a children’s orphanage where she was raised by loving nuns then adopted by Japanese immigrant parents who subsequently emigrated to California. This story covers the deep injustice that was the Japanese internment camps of World War Two. But it is especially about mothers and daughters. Ruth discovers she has 2 mothers when Rachel is finally allowed to leave Moloka’i and comes looking for Ruth. This is the story of a daughter and her love for both of her mothers. It is magic. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Racial slurs, Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review is part of the Amazon Vine Program.
I absolutely loved the first book by Brennert, Moloka'i. It made me cry, it taught me a history I didn't know, and was deeply engrossing. So it was with trepidation that I started reading this sequel. In my opinion, it's a rare sequel that's as good as the original. This one pleasantly surprised me.
Daughter of Moloka'i could almost be read as a stand-alone. I say almost, because I believe the story of Rachel in the original is important and provides some background to this book. But you could probably read without it. Daughter of Moloka'i is of course about the daughter of Rachel, the protagonist in the first book. Because of the rules of the colony at Moloka'i, Ruth, the daughter, is sent to an orphanage on a different island at a year old. Here she waits until she is finally adopted by a Japanese couple with three sons, but no daughters. This shapes her life as she grows with them and is ultimately part of the internment camps established by the government during WWII.
Is Ruth as likable as her mother as a protagonist? I would say largely, she's a little harsher, a little angrier. But her story is one that resonates with you and arouses sympathy. And her story also introduces you to a part of history, that while it's starting to be taught more, is still a surprise for most Americans to learn. That we had internment camps, and that they weren't as good as the government would have led you to believe, will come as a surprise for some people. The injustice that was met out in them is well described here and even with reparations, cannot truly be forgiven.
I found this book a little more rushed than the first. I would have liked to have a more leisurely stroll through Ruth's childhood. The time spent on the descriptions of the camps, and of the later years with the introduction of Rachel was thorough though and I appreciated the detail there. Is it as good as Moloka'i? That one will still rank much higher for me, but this one is good on its own merit.
I definitely recommend both the first book and this one. It introduces you to a part of history that is not adequately taught and for that alone it is well worth reading.
Review by M. Reynard 2019
I absolutely loved the first book by Brennert, Moloka'i. It made me cry, it taught me a history I didn't know, and was deeply engrossing. So it was with trepidation that I started reading this sequel. In my opinion, it's a rare sequel that's as good as the original. This one pleasantly surprised me.
Daughter of Moloka'i could almost be read as a stand-alone. I say almost, because I believe the story of Rachel in the original is important and provides some background to this book. But you could probably read without it. Daughter of Moloka'i is of course about the daughter of Rachel, the protagonist in the first book. Because of the rules of the colony at Moloka'i, Ruth, the daughter, is sent to an orphanage on a different island at a year old. Here she waits until she is finally adopted by a Japanese couple with three sons, but no daughters. This shapes her life as she grows with them and is ultimately part of the internment camps established by the government during WWII.
Is Ruth as likable as her mother as a protagonist? I would say largely, she's a little harsher, a little angrier. But her story is one that resonates with you and arouses sympathy. And her story also introduces you to a part of history, that while it's starting to be taught more, is still a surprise for most Americans to learn. That we had internment camps, and that they weren't as good as the government would have led you to believe, will come as a surprise for some people. The injustice that was met out in them is well described here and even with reparations, cannot truly be forgiven.
I found this book a little more rushed than the first. I would have liked to have a more leisurely stroll through Ruth's childhood. The time spent on the descriptions of the camps, and of the later years with the introduction of Rachel was thorough though and I appreciated the detail there. Is it as good as Moloka'i? That one will still rank much higher for me, but this one is good on its own merit.
I definitely recommend both the first book and this one. It introduces you to a part of history that is not adequately taught and for that alone it is well worth reading.
Review by M. Reynard 2019
Amazing and heartbreaking, much like Moloka'i. Brennert takes Rachel's story and refocuses it on Ruth, her daughter. While we know at least part of her story from the first book, this one really provides a different piece of the puzzle. While tough to read at times, this is a great story for learning about Japanese-Americans in the 1920-1940s and an excellent introduction for those possibly unfamiliar with this side of American history. All in all, a fantastic follow-up worth the wait to read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Great to be with Rachel some more and to get to know Ruth... got a little bogged down in the middle but overall a really good book
A couple years ago I read Moloka'i, unknowing when I started that it would become one of my favourite books. I then wrote in a review that I wished I had never read it so I could experience it all over again for the first time. Well, Alan Brennert made my wish come true. This story follows Rachel's daughter, Ruth, and all of her turmoil and growth and love and sadness and happiness and the joy of her life, just like we followed Rachel. I fell in love, felt heartbreak, and felt like I had become her friend and a part of the Ohana all over again. Thank you.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A moving life story of an adoptee and survivor of the US WWII Japanese Imprisonment Camps. A character study of a resilient and loyal mother, daughter, and sister dedicated to familial piety. A picture of how hard working Japanese Americans had their lives ruined unconstitutionally by the American government. An emotional account of long lost relatives reuniting and accepting each other as family that ties this sequel to the first book perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, War
Minor: Police brutality, Deportation
Excellent! I'm so glad the author wrote a sequel. It filled in a lot of the gaps I was missing from the first novel. Really well done.