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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This is a gut-punch of a debut novel, full of astonishingly sharp grief and sensation. The language cuts deep and lingers in this family story backed by all the power and beauty of Hawaii's landscape and culture. An atypical story with echoes of magical realism in a thoroughly modern dress.
Highly recommend listening to this on audio with the various narrators who bring the characters to loving life.
emotional
mysterious
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
emotional
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
I truly wanted to love this book. The beginning—with all its mysterious allusions to a turn of fate and magical realism—sucked me in. But halfway through I lost steam. I think this was a mix of things: the narrative taking a turn I wasn’t expecting (or thrilled about) and my finding out the author is not Native Hawaiian (despite it being made very ambiguous in interviews).
However, I’m still glad I picked this one up. The characters all have very distinct voices and the full-cast audiobook is a treat. I also really appreciated how grief and loss are portrayed in this family epic.
However, I’m still glad I picked this one up. The characters all have very distinct voices and the full-cast audiobook is a treat. I also really appreciated how grief and loss are portrayed in this family epic.
I sped through this book, totally caught up in the family and in the place, so I guess neither the vernacular (which I didn't find to be very strong or difficult to read; it flowed) nor the mysticism/magical realism that some other reviewers have found off-putting bothered me. For me, the book was more about the power of place and, rippling out from that, the power of family/blood ties. While I've never been to the Big Island or experienced the particular power of that particular place, I've begun to experience the power of other places, and I'm trying to learn how to listen better. I found the book to be evocative, raw, muscular, and capable of effecting great change. I loved it and wish I were still reading it. If I didn't have to return it to the library today, I'd start over from the beginning right now.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
This is the kind of story that sticks with you, one that your mind will recall long in the future at the most unexpected yet powerful times. I didn't realize how quickly and how deeply I grew attached to the characters. What I love about them is that they're so real- everything they feel, everything they are is raw and it's both shattering and beautiful to experience. It feels like you're alongside each of them in their journeys. The prose is breathtaking, and it's a wonderful reflection on human connection, on family, and on exploring one's purpose.