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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This is by far the most original book I've read this year. For ages, I've been waiting for a novel that gave me a sense of contemporary Hawaii. This is it. But it's also much more. I had to sit still after it concluded and ponder fate, destiny, chance, and most of all - family. Words defy me as I try to explain what was so wonderful about this debut novel. Partly it is because I've never read anything like it. It's also because I felt the wisdom of ages within an edgy modern text. I'll come back (probably_ and sort out a more articulate review. But don't wait for it - just read the book.
I listened to the Audible version and the narration is fantastic.
I understand some of the poor reviews are lashing out because the author, while born and raised in Hawaii, is not native Hawaiian. Cultural appropriation is a complicated topic. I often think of the novels I've read that were written by men with woman lead characters, as an example. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it works. Can authors write from another's perspective? Yes. I think this is a good example of that. Do I want to read more novels written by native Hawaiians? Yes. I see some Polynesian reviewers praising this book and other reviewers calling it cultural appropriation. I just enjoyed the book and am glad it was written and I read it.
I found this discussion of cultural appropriation in literature helpful. https://zora.medium.com/inspiration-vs-cultural-appropriation-ff49132929e8
I listened to the Audible version and the narration is fantastic.
I understand some of the poor reviews are lashing out because the author, while born and raised in Hawaii, is not native Hawaiian. Cultural appropriation is a complicated topic. I often think of the novels I've read that were written by men with woman lead characters, as an example. Sometimes it's really bad and sometimes it works. Can authors write from another's perspective? Yes. I think this is a good example of that. Do I want to read more novels written by native Hawaiians? Yes. I see some Polynesian reviewers praising this book and other reviewers calling it cultural appropriation. I just enjoyed the book and am glad it was written and I read it.
I found this discussion of cultural appropriation in literature helpful. https://zora.medium.com/inspiration-vs-cultural-appropriation-ff49132929e8
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
summer splash:
- surfs up
- sunny days
- pride
- spice it up
- surfs up
- sunny days
- pride
- spice it up
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
good but really slow and kind of hard to follow. the overall lessons were very important though.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book did not work for me at all. Very little magical realism and more like a dysfunctional family drama. I just don’t understand all of the glowing reviews.
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow I am going to need some time to gather my thoughts and quotes, but I absolutely loved this book!