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tracyjw66's review against another edition
5.0
It’s only January and I think I just read the best book I’m going to read all year. Now what?
mollyleewootton's review against another edition
4.0
not bad. not great. But I still enjoyed the story.
toekneebone's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the style of writing in this book. The length was long, but it was worth it.
mike_morse's review against another edition
3.0
It’s beautiful writing and I did care about the characters but I got the feeling that the book got away from the author. There’s an interview with the author at the back of the paper book which seems to indicate that he didn’t know where the book was going as he wrote it. That may be good at times, but what we have here is a lot of Hawaiian mystical spirituality and magic that does nothing but rain misfortune, criminality and poverty on the characters. That can’t be what the author wanted to say, could it? Throw in some sibling rivalry, doubt about parenting skills, search for sexual identity, dealing with dementia, life in prison and what do you have? A mess is what you have, albeit one in beautiful prose.
lesbottt's review against another edition
3.0
The turning point of this book is a pregnant woman dying - I didn’t see that anywhere before reading and would’ve not picked up if I’d known. Couldn’t finish, but thought the first half was pretty good. Good sense of place but like another reviewer noted, I found it hard to connect with the characters given the abrupt juxtaposition of realism and myth.
fermanichlyd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pretentiousbreadcrumbs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rochelle1016's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book for those touched by Hawaii, those who know that Hawaii is more than a vacation spot, that want Hawaii free because it’s a place of more. Maybe it’s Gods maybe it’s something more.
This book was written in 5 voices, I love books with multiple voices, that clearly shares their hopes, dreams, shame, and complex relationship with Hawaii and the mainland.
This book was written in 5 voices, I love books with multiple voices, that clearly shares their hopes, dreams, shame, and complex relationship with Hawaii and the mainland.
emilyacgm's review against another edition
5.0
Blown away--beautifully written with luscious descriptions that bring place to life and allow the reader to feel what the characters feel. An amazing family story, with views from all members--the reader moves with each person though the highs and lows, good and bad, feeling their pain and the ways life doesn't turn out how they expected. A book to savor and to hold in awe--beautiful.
eesa_lv's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0