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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
dark
informative
slow-paced
Rampant racism in this books. Probably accurate to the time and place, but there’s A LOT of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
I really enjoyed this novel. After reading 'Poland' by the same author, my expectations were dampened slightly, but in this novel the time-ellipsis were much shorter, the characters more developed, and the social aspects more fleshed out. I felt infinitely more 'engaged' to this novel.
As for the story, I was really surprised about the importing of Chinese and Japanese workers. I had no idea that the population of actual Hawaiians was so depleted, and so drastically overwhelmed by the imported population. I also felt I learned a lot about the Japanese in the later half of the novel (1940s-1950s) and the complex duplicity between the imported workers and their island-bred children.
It was also interesting to note (through the eyes of one of the military character's travels) the different ways countries 'delt with' minority figures, from the Tahitians, to the Americans, to the Japanese, all compared against the more lax laws of Hawaii that allowed the foreigners to almost wipe them out entirely.
As for the story, I was really surprised about the importing of Chinese and Japanese workers. I had no idea that the population of actual Hawaiians was so depleted, and so drastically overwhelmed by the imported population. I also felt I learned a lot about the Japanese in the later half of the novel (1940s-1950s) and the complex duplicity between the imported workers and their island-bred children.
It was also interesting to note (through the eyes of one of the military character's travels) the different ways countries 'delt with' minority figures, from the Tahitians, to the Americans, to the Japanese, all compared against the more lax laws of Hawaii that allowed the foreigners to almost wipe them out entirely.
Mammoth tome of a book. Definitely worth getting through that first chapter where Michener gets a little too excited about personifying geological events.
From the second chapter onwards: really compelling characters, really clean and well-written, and to read it all from downtown Honolulu was a treat.
I couldn't help spending a lot of the book trying to pin down Michener's angle--why is he writing this, when it's a bit of a thorny topic, what's his take? For the most part, the book ages IMO well enough with only a few...blunt moments. He does eventually reveal his hand but shockingly late and hides it well before it.
Fascinating place and a great book to read to get a slightly-opinionated high level view it.
From the second chapter onwards: really compelling characters, really clean and well-written, and to read it all from downtown Honolulu was a treat.
I couldn't help spending a lot of the book trying to pin down Michener's angle--why is he writing this, when it's a bit of a thorny topic, what's his take? For the most part, the book ages IMO well enough with only a few...blunt moments. He does eventually reveal his hand but shockingly late and hides it well before it.
Fascinating place and a great book to read to get a slightly-opinionated high level view it.
This was the Michner novel that got me into reading historical fiction and sweeping epics. It's absolutely my favorite of his books and has been one of my favorite novels period since I read it years ago in high school.
Truly epic, but so worthwhile. Michener's fiction is very faithful to Hawaiian history, and reading it really opened my eyes to so much on my recent trip there.
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
It helped me I stand the history of Hawaii.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
This saga is impressive, if nothing else. Over the course of 1100+ pages of small print, Michener tells the historical fiction story of Hawaii from when the islands form to right before statehood. We see the creation of the islands, the first Polynesians to make settle Hawaii, missionaries arriving in the early 1800s, and then the descendants of these characters as well as Japanese and Chinese families in the mid-1800s to mid 1900s.
The way that Michener was able to outline and interweave these stories and families is artful and something that should be applauded. However, there was just too much. Too many irrelevant side stories that added pages but not substance.
At the same time there was not enough- the era of the Kingdom of Hawaii was essentially skipped over. This book definitely leaned much heavier towards fiction than historical fiction.
As enjoyable as the beginning was, I found myself struggling to finish and counting down the pages. I’m glad that took on this epic, but not sure I will again, and I’m a bit hesitant about taking on another Michener novel.
The way that Michener was able to outline and interweave these stories and families is artful and something that should be applauded. However, there was just too much. Too many irrelevant side stories that added pages but not substance.
At the same time there was not enough- the era of the Kingdom of Hawaii was essentially skipped over. This book definitely leaned much heavier towards fiction than historical fiction.
As enjoyable as the beginning was, I found myself struggling to finish and counting down the pages. I’m glad that took on this epic, but not sure I will again, and I’m a bit hesitant about taking on another Michener novel.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can easily say that I did not know what I would get from a 900-something page book called Hawaii, much less one written by a white dude in the 50s. Hawaii is ultimately a tale about the gradual death of a people, and the stories of success within it. 1,000 years of history, spanning generations and continents, are all condensed into one novel. Michener writes in a way that is as faithful as one can be to the realities of a time period, but never without purpose, and never without disrespect or reflection. No single character is entirely bad, as much as I dislike them, and so single character is entirely good, as much as I want them to be. Hawaii is the story of all things hopeful and sad and lost. Very well done. 10/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Infertility, Suicide, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Abandonment, Alcohol