Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Sharks in the Time of Saviors

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Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

4 reviews

_rowantree_'s review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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thecriticalreader's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

Review:

I’m not sure if the problem is me or the book, but I could not get into Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn. Actually, the problem is probably me, because the book is objectively well-crafted. The prose is unique (although I found it tiresome at times), the narrative is heartbreaking, and the characters are complex. Unfortunately, I could not bring myself to care about or connect to the characters because, unlike their stories, their voices are not distinct. They’re all unobservant and lack the insight to spot the obvious problems with their mindsets and behaviors. I can enjoy characters who don’t have self-awareness, but it has to be written in a way that shows me how they justify their misguided actions or thought patterns. Since Sharks in the Time of Saviors is such a character-driven novel, my inability to care about the characters hindered my enjoyment.

Apparently the author is not native Hawaiian (although he was born and raised there), so that might play a role in why the book feels hollow to me, especially in how it engages with native Hawaiian culture. Of course, I'm not in a position to speak authoritatively about what counts as "good" representation in this area or not, but over the years I've developed a better sense of when an author is writing from personal identity and experience and when they are not. When the cultural elements of the book fell flat to me I brushed it off as a "me" problem, but now I wonder if it had anything to do with the author's lack of cultural and ethnic connection to his characters and their myths.

After dragging on for what seemed like forever, the book ended with an underwhelming conclusion. The overall message the book tries to send is super obvious, and the main characters don’t really grow as people. Again, I don’t think Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a bad book, but it failed to connect with me.

The Run-Down:

You will probably like Sharks in the Time of Saviors if . . .

You like stories about dysfunctional, but well-meaning, families
You are interested in a book that looks at the real ramifications of white imperialism/tourism in Hawaii
You like lyrical prose and hard-hitting truths

You might not like Sharks in the Time of Saviors if . . .

You want to read a book about native Hawaiian people, myths, and cultures, by someone who is native Hawaiian
You find it hard to root for or sympathize with characters who do horrible things
You want mythology and magic to play a large role in the plot

A Similar Book:

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo. Similarities include . . .

Themes of migration from home and return in search of financial security and belonging
A dysfunctional but loving family
Main characters with supernatural abilities/magical realism
Deeply flawed protagonists
Celebrations of resiliency in the face of hardship, social commentary

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hflh's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

NOTE: This author grew up in Hawaii, but is not Native Hawaiian. In an interview, he describes learning about the myths depicted in this book from friends and in school.

I really think this book is something special — It’s nothing and more than what I expected so I’m going to keep this review vague to try to maintain the mystery factor for other readers.

First of all, the PROSE. I wish I had the words to better describe Washburn’s style beyond that it feels so sharp and tactile. He also has a way of making the most mundane or unromantic things beautiful. This style is maintained across POVs while still keeping each character’s voice distinct.

For the story itself, the magical realism element is less of a focus and more of an avenue to deeply explore complex family dynamics and trauma (particularly related to colonization and poverty). The book switches between the POVs of three siblings as they grow up in a home where one gifted sibling carries the burden of helping financially support the family and the other two are in his shadow and, then, as all three try to ‘make it’ in some way on the mainland while separated from their family and dealing with old and new trauma. And it’s done so well.

It’s definitely heavy and emotional, but the characters also bring a lot of light and humour.

Unfortunately, I thought the last third lost itself a bit. I liked where it went, where it was going, and where it went after that, but that middle ‘where it was going’ part felt rushed compared to the care and depth in the first 2/3. This might have been what Washburn was going for, but it didn’t work as much for me. That being said, I’m excited for a future reread to see if my thoughts change and I’m eagerly awaiting Washburn’s next work.

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nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny informative mysterious reflective fast-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

4.5

absolutely brilliant, this book has such a grounded physicality, the descriptions are so tangible, the characters come off the page, I'm amazed

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