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

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

5 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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kshertz's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I will preface this by saying that I’m not a big magical realism person. For me, this novel was one that was unexpectedly dark and devastating. In a way that felt like a lot of trauma that just happens and there’s no resolution. Magical realism that seemingly had no point that I could see was hard. But I know many friends who loved this book so maybe it’s just over my head! I think if you love magical realism and really dark stories with lots of sadness, you would like this book.

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andrewhatesham's review against another edition

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fast-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

4.0

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kelseyorzel's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense 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? Yes

4.5

4.5 stars. Sharks in the Time of Saviors was a very poignant tale of identity, family, poverty, capitalism, and loss. This book was beautifully written, the story was engaging, characters were developed (mostly), and the multiperspective narration that bounces around the members of a Hawaiian family was remarkably well done. So many big themes were explored while keeping the story well-paced and fascinating. I loved how the Hawaiian ethnicity of the central family allowed honest commentary on capitalism and politics from a viewpoint I do not often find in pop fiction. I enjoyed the magical realism elements of this book combined with some traditional Hawaiian mythological exploration. I also highly recommend the audiobook. It was a full-cast narration that was beautifully executed and solidified my connection to the characters

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