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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
[3.5 stars] For 60 percent of “Sharks in the Time of Saviors,” I was completely invested and lavishing early praise to all who would listen. As the story dragged to its conclusion, my listening was out of obligation for the early goodwill Kawai Strong Washburn earned rather than my enjoyment.
It’s a shame because Washburn hooked me immediately. Quickly establishing our main characters and giving us taste of how this quasi-magical family drama was going to play out. The tense first chapter almost left me breathless, but he never quite found that magic again as the story played out over 15 years and four POVs.
Washburn raises interesting questions about anointing a child gifted, and the strain that puts on a family. From parents, who put all their hopes and dreams (and finances) on the backs of one person, and the siblings who no matter how hard they try will never measure up.
A native Hawaiian, he also addresses the marginalization of Pacific Islanders, and the challenges with poverty, housing insecurity and substance abuse. All-in-all, it was a unique and insightful read with the right balance of mystical and realism.
Then it wasn’t. There’s something authentic in having people you were rooting for let you down, it’s often how life goes, but last third of the novel felt like a bait and switch.
Would I give Washburn another shot? Absolutely. There was a general ease in his prose and a realism in how the characters were presented and developed. I was invested in each of their journeys, to a point, and I think he’s got a few great novels left to write.
Criticism of the text aside, the audiobook was one for the ages. Jolene Kim, Kaleo Griffith, G.K. Bowes and Tui Asau absolutely nailed their performances as Malia, Noa, Dean and Kaui, respectively.
Each brought a conversational approach to the characterization, which helped elevate Washburn’s understated humor and amplified the Hawaiian roots of Flores family. Sometimes when you listen to multiple narrators in a family story it feels like each performer is trying to be the star. Here, they all complemented one another with no one person stealing the spotlight.
It’s a shame because Washburn hooked me immediately. Quickly establishing our main characters and giving us taste of how this quasi-magical family drama was going to play out. The tense first chapter almost left me breathless, but he never quite found that magic again as the story played out over 15 years and four POVs.
Washburn raises interesting questions about anointing a child gifted, and the strain that puts on a family. From parents, who put all their hopes and dreams (and finances) on the backs of one person, and the siblings who no matter how hard they try will never measure up.
A native Hawaiian, he also addresses the marginalization of Pacific Islanders, and the challenges with poverty, housing insecurity and substance abuse. All-in-all, it was a unique and insightful read with the right balance of mystical and realism.
Then it wasn’t. There’s something authentic in having people you were rooting for let you down, it’s often how life goes, but last third of the novel felt like a bait and switch.
Would I give Washburn another shot? Absolutely. There was a general ease in his prose and a realism in how the characters were presented and developed. I was invested in each of their journeys, to a point, and I think he’s got a few great novels left to write.
Criticism of the text aside, the audiobook was one for the ages. Jolene Kim, Kaleo Griffith, G.K. Bowes and Tui Asau absolutely nailed their performances as Malia, Noa, Dean and Kaui, respectively.
Each brought a conversational approach to the characterization, which helped elevate Washburn’s understated humor and amplified the Hawaiian roots of Flores family. Sometimes when you listen to multiple narrators in a family story it feels like each performer is trying to be the star. Here, they all complemented one another with no one person stealing the spotlight.
4.5 stars. I wish I had someone to help me digest this book. Would make an excellent book club choice. The audiobook was especially powerful and the characters’ pain was felt acutely through each narrative. Unique premise with fascinating perspectives on family relationships.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a compelling story that explores identity and masterfully weaves the story of a Hawaiian family into the larger tapestry of Hawaiian folk tales. It asks the question of "what happens to those in a family with a chosen one?" Sharks in the Time of Saviors discusses family in all its complicated facets--sibling rivalry and friendship; marriage; support. It feels realistic even with the elements of magical realism. This is magical realism done really well, with beautiful writing and complex characters. It will definitely be a story that I'll think about often. I listened to the audiobook of this, and the narrators of this story did a fantastic job. I do think I would have equally enjoyed this story if I had physically read it so I could follow it better in parts, but the pronunciations of Hawaiian words and places was worth listening to the audiobook alone.
The reason it wasn't rated higher for me is because of my own preferences. I'm a prude, lol, so I don't like a lot of sexual content or unnecessary sexual information. I don't think it makes a story more artful or impactful. So I felt like the language surrounding women's bodies in this story especially was a little crude.
It was a super interesting concept of a story though, and I thought the author did a great job representing his Hawaiian culture in a beautifully-written tale.
The reason it wasn't rated higher for me is because of my own preferences. I'm a prude, lol, so I don't like a lot of sexual content or unnecessary sexual information. I don't think it makes a story more artful or impactful. So I felt like the language surrounding women's bodies in this story especially was a little crude.
It was a super interesting concept of a story though, and I thought the author did a great job representing his Hawaiian culture in a beautifully-written tale.
slow-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I listened to SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS by Kawai Strong Washburn and I absolutely loved it. I rated this novel 4.5/5 stars!
When he's just a baby, Nainoa falls overboard and is circled by sharks. To everyone's shock and awe, he's returned to the ship in the jaws of a shark. As he grows up, Noa develops abilities that his family attributes to divine gifts. This splits Noa off from his siblings and his parents, isolating him in his gifts. Time passes and the family is reunited by a tragedy as Washburn examines family, survival, and myth in this magical realism novel.
Trigger warning for drug/alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and death. I listened to this novel on audiobook and I think that really enhanced the use of Hawaiian pidgin (including slang and grammar). I thought all of the characters were incredible, they were so well written and unique. I thought the magical realism was beautiful and so interesting. The myths were woven in with discussions of race, poverty, and expectations of others. I would highly recommend this one!
When he's just a baby, Nainoa falls overboard and is circled by sharks. To everyone's shock and awe, he's returned to the ship in the jaws of a shark. As he grows up, Noa develops abilities that his family attributes to divine gifts. This splits Noa off from his siblings and his parents, isolating him in his gifts. Time passes and the family is reunited by a tragedy as Washburn examines family, survival, and myth in this magical realism novel.
Trigger warning for drug/alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and death. I listened to this novel on audiobook and I think that really enhanced the use of Hawaiian pidgin (including slang and grammar). I thought all of the characters were incredible, they were so well written and unique. I thought the magical realism was beautiful and so interesting. The myths were woven in with discussions of race, poverty, and expectations of others. I would highly recommend this one!