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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This is one of those books where in the moment I can't say it was more enjoyable than a 3 star book, but I feel like it will stick with me. There are many universal truths explored in the book related to family, parent's expectation of their children, the pressure the children feel to meet those expectations, the pressure to be successful (especially for children who come from poor families), the complicated relationships between siblings (further exacerbated by parental expectations), leaving home, being drawn back home, etc etc. But while there are all these relatable universal experiences in the book it is also a singularly unique story. I don't think I've read anything quite like it... set in Hawaii and written by a Hawaiian native the culture is a huge part of the book and what makes these characters. Washburn also tips well-worn tropes on their head that could impact the reader's enjoyment. For one character trope in particular, the reader will expect one outcome but it will diverge and the impact is quite shocking.
I am not sure what type of reader I would recommend this book to.
I think if you want to read a book mostly set in Hawaii from a Hawaiian perspective, that shows the richness of the culture, especially if you only know Hawaii as a tropical destination, and you are ready for some family drama, struggle, and sadness then give it a spin.
I am not sure what type of reader I would recommend this book to.
I think if you want to read a book mostly set in Hawaii from a Hawaiian perspective, that shows the richness of the culture, especially if you only know Hawaii as a tropical destination, and you are ready for some family drama, struggle, and sadness then give it a spin.
Really..? The r-word in 2020??? And then to find out that the author isn’t native Hawaiian on top of it??? Gtfo.
Beautiful imagery. Skillful prose. And yet I struggled with this book. It picked up for about a third in the middle when it became more of an exploration of the family’s grief, but I found the characters lacking and the progression a little too slow.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is the story of a family, a miraculous son, and life in modern Hawaii. When Nainoa is seven, he is saved from drowning by sharks, and his parents see this as a sign things are looking up for them. But things aren't simple for Nainoa, and for his siblings Dean and Kaui who both feel like he has a special place in their parents' affections. Each of them travels to mainland USA looking for something, but things don't work out as their parents hope.
It is difficult to know what to expect from this novel, which starts with a kind of mystical atmosphere as Nainoa is saved and becomes a kind of myth, but also looks at the struggles of economic downturn, and later the tarnished American dream. The magical elements, though vital to the narrative and the blended atmosphere of myth and harsh reality, are much less prevalent than you might assume, which works well with the different characters' senses of the myth elements of the book. Though Nainoa's narrative is the more unusual, it is through Dean and Kaui that you get a real sense of the novel's power as their connections to Hawaii and their family become complicated and change, and the dreams or goals they once had become untenable.
This is a novel for people who like stories that combine sadness and harsh circumstances with interesting explorations of place, myth, and people. For many readers it'll give new ways to think about Hawaii and how people might interact with it as a home and what they might seek in mainland USA.
It is difficult to know what to expect from this novel, which starts with a kind of mystical atmosphere as Nainoa is saved and becomes a kind of myth, but also looks at the struggles of economic downturn, and later the tarnished American dream. The magical elements, though vital to the narrative and the blended atmosphere of myth and harsh reality, are much less prevalent than you might assume, which works well with the different characters' senses of the myth elements of the book. Though Nainoa's narrative is the more unusual, it is through Dean and Kaui that you get a real sense of the novel's power as their connections to Hawaii and their family become complicated and change, and the dreams or goals they once had become untenable.
This is a novel for people who like stories that combine sadness and harsh circumstances with interesting explorations of place, myth, and people. For many readers it'll give new ways to think about Hawaii and how people might interact with it as a home and what they might seek in mainland USA.