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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The story revolves around very strong female characters and it's a multigenerational coming-of-age story about the people and traditions of Hawaii and from Hilo in particular, focused on the Hula Dance. Hi'i is the daughter of Laka, who is very well-known in her community for being Miss Aloha Hula. Hi'i is convinced that being the next Miss Aloha Hula will give her the right to be considered a worthy member of her family. But that doesn't seem to be enough for Laka and Hulali, Lala's strong-minded mother.
Hi'i is constantly reminded that she is not part of the tradition and that she doesn't fit the mold. That she is different. This is just one of the many disagreements that the women in this family face with each other. This is the bit that I find problematic. These women are trying to fight stereotypes but they are so full of prejudices that they go as far as to expulse a member of the family just because she looks different.
I found really interesting the collective narrator used by the author to tell the story. They work as a chorus that sees and knows everything that is happening and conveys this almost claustrophobic feeling of the close-knit community. Everyone is watching, everyone is aware of other people's feelings. They move as an undifferentiated mass.
I also enjoyed the structure. Everything makes sense in the end. The writer deliberately decided to not include a glossary of terms to preserve the experience of the oral tradition of storytelling and I applaud that decision. I find it smart and fully in line with the spirit of the book.
A beautiful story and a very enjoyable book.
Hi'i is constantly reminded that she is not part of the tradition and that she doesn't fit the mold. That she is different. This is just one of the many disagreements that the women in this family face with each other. This is the bit that I find problematic. These women are trying to fight stereotypes but they are so full of prejudices that they go as far as to expulse a member of the family just because she looks different.
I found really interesting the collective narrator used by the author to tell the story. They work as a chorus that sees and knows everything that is happening and conveys this almost claustrophobic feeling of the close-knit community. Everyone is watching, everyone is aware of other people's feelings. They move as an undifferentiated mass.
I also enjoyed the structure. Everything makes sense in the end. The writer deliberately decided to not include a glossary of terms to preserve the experience of the oral tradition of storytelling and I applaud that decision. I find it smart and fully in line with the spirit of the book.
A beautiful story and a very enjoyable book.
With knowledge comes the burden of responsibility. We were never revolutionaries. Only accidental activists. Once you know something, you can't unknow it. Once you see the crime, closing your eyes to it makes it yours.
This book is a both a love song and a tragic lament of the nuances and pain of being Hawaiian… being a daughter… being a mother. I feel like this book should be required reading for those planning to visit Hawaii to provide context and respect for the ʻĀina and its people. Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved the collective narration of the community.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
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
3.5
I was really hoping to love this novel. It has good points and good history. What I didn’t love was the style—a lot of telling rather than showing. Like explaining motivation rather than showing us how we got to this situation.
I was really hoping to love this novel. It has good points and good history. What I didn’t love was the style—a lot of telling rather than showing. Like explaining motivation rather than showing us how we got to this situation.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This beautifully written story follows three generations of women and explores their identities and belonging through the culture and history of Hawaii. The writing is beautiful. It did seem to drag on in some parts for me.
emotional
medium-paced