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emjay24's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not sure why, but I was convinced this book was historical fiction. I had it on my to-read list, and then took it out of the library without re-checking much what it was about, besides something about Hawaii. I started reading it, and it was in present day, and I kept waiting for them to switch back in time, to the story of his ancestors and how they got the land he was supposed to sell. Nope! This is actually a book about a man whose wife has been in a coma in the hospital for a month. He is a busy lawyer and didn’t spend too much time with his wife, and basically no time with his 17 and 10 year old daughters. Now he’s coming to realize that he knows nothing about their lives or how to be a dad. People, both in the book and out, have questioned why he didn’t seem to be mad at his wife or the other man, but it seemed logical to me. She’s dying, why waste time now being mad? He would only regret it later. He has the rest of all time to worry about being mad, and only a short time to think of now and forgive and say goodbyes. I do find it hard to believe that he could be that clueless and apart from his family while he was living in the same house with them, but I guess there are plenty of people I’ve seen in real life who tend towards the same way. This book was just ok for me, because it’s not my style, but I think if you’re into this type of book, you’d really enjoy it.
themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
5.0
I was inspired to read this book after watching the movie, which by the way, completely changed my opinion on George Clooney (the movie was beautiful, and while George Clooney is too, I’m not usually into his acting).
Needless to say, the book didn't disappoint either. Moving and tender, but yet all too real and written so candidly I was utterly entranced.
The human drama and sagas play against a beautiful Hawaiian background, the author expertly explores themes of ancestry, human connections to sacred land and carrying on the traditions close to your culture.
While I feel that many would say this book was mediocre, I was deeply moved by the sensitive and humorous approach which the author took to an overall grim situation for the main characters to battle with. I feel that life too is a delicate mix of hardship and grimness, but ultimately with a mixture of beauty and humor to make it all a complex and living thing. Lovely read overall.
**Second time reading**
Even more poignant than before now that I'm at a different point in my life. Powerful and beautiful. One of my personal favorites.
Needless to say, the book didn't disappoint either. Moving and tender, but yet all too real and written so candidly I was utterly entranced.
The human drama and sagas play against a beautiful Hawaiian background, the author expertly explores themes of ancestry, human connections to sacred land and carrying on the traditions close to your culture.
While I feel that many would say this book was mediocre, I was deeply moved by the sensitive and humorous approach which the author took to an overall grim situation for the main characters to battle with. I feel that life too is a delicate mix of hardship and grimness, but ultimately with a mixture of beauty and humor to make it all a complex and living thing. Lovely read overall.
**Second time reading**
Even more poignant than before now that I'm at a different point in my life. Powerful and beautiful. One of my personal favorites.
allarminda's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly loved this book.
The narration is superb.
I was so drawn to the inner dialogue of the main character. He fascinated me as he moved through some massive life upheavals and how he chose to interact with those events and the people involved.
Life happens.
A lot of what happens is out of our control.
How you interpret those happenings and then respond is what makes all the difference.
The narration is superb.
I was so drawn to the inner dialogue of the main character. He fascinated me as he moved through some massive life upheavals and how he chose to interact with those events and the people involved.
Life happens.
A lot of what happens is out of our control.
How you interpret those happenings and then respond is what makes all the difference.
craftyscene's review against another edition
3.0
I went back and forth with this book. At times, I loved it and couldn't put it down, then other times, I found myself scanning the pages. There's a lot of detail and descriptions, which works for and against it. The author wrote a really great story though, and while she went into a lot of detail, there's a succinctness that gets the point across.
livetoread2024's review against another edition
3.0
I read it to see what all the hype was about before I saw the movie. Can't say that I liked it. It moved very slowly for me and the characters were not that interesting. The blurb at the back said that it it started out as a short story - in my opinion, it should have stayed that way.
gonzorama's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this movie, but I'm most happy I saw it because it led me to a wonderful book I wouldn't have otherwise known about. It is in every way superior to the film: more subtle, sadder, sweeter, and more hilarious. Beautifully written and understated, it made me cry and snort coffee out of my nose. Sounds like Hemmings is working on a couple new books; can't wait to read these too.
aemynadira's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever sit alone while life's moving around you, and in that moment you're completely aware? You can see the pieces of who you were yesterday falling to the ground, as today begins to fill in the holes and all you can do is sit there and watch it dissolve. That's what I feel after reading this book.
The Descendants, written by Kaui Hart Hemmings, is a great, funny, touching and moving story. Set in Hawaii, the story is about Matt King, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty and a rich landowner. Matt's wife, Joanie, lies in coma after a boat-racing accident. Matt is responsible to take care of their 2 daughters; Alex, (17) who has just recovered from drug addict, and Scottie (10), a wild, confused little girl.
Since Joanie shows no sign of improvement, her life support will be taken off soon. So Matt gathers their relatives and friends to announce the bad news. In meanwhile, he finds out that Joanie has been cheating on him, with a married guy named Brian. Apparently Brian is a part of a company that's so eager to buy the King family's 25 000 acres land. Joanie is selling their properties, but Matt doesn't let it happen since he realized the secret behind it and they have to keep the land.
The final moment of saying goodbyes to Joanie is really sad. Matt forgives her, even betrayed, because he really loves her. I hardly hold back my tears when Scottie cries beside Joanie's numb body. Matt isn't a best father and his family is almost broken. But they struggle together to become a family for the 1st time.
I love Matt. He's an observant and determined. He shows me how important it is to notice every fine thing, to be wise in dealing with turmoils and to always have plans to fix things. And of course, appreciate our family. They're the only ones we've got and don't let it crumble. Also, sometimes we have to learn to let go of things and move on.
And even though the art of wayfinding has been lost to me, I try to steer us to shore in as straight line as possible.
- Matt King, The Descendants
The Descendants, written by Kaui Hart Hemmings, is a great, funny, touching and moving story. Set in Hawaii, the story is about Matt King, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty and a rich landowner. Matt's wife, Joanie, lies in coma after a boat-racing accident. Matt is responsible to take care of their 2 daughters; Alex, (17) who has just recovered from drug addict, and Scottie (10), a wild, confused little girl.
Since Joanie shows no sign of improvement, her life support will be taken off soon. So Matt gathers their relatives and friends to announce the bad news. In meanwhile, he finds out that Joanie has been cheating on him, with a married guy named Brian. Apparently Brian is a part of a company that's so eager to buy the King family's 25 000 acres land. Joanie is selling their properties, but Matt doesn't let it happen since he realized the secret behind it and they have to keep the land.
The final moment of saying goodbyes to Joanie is really sad. Matt forgives her, even betrayed, because he really loves her. I hardly hold back my tears when Scottie cries beside Joanie's numb body. Matt isn't a best father and his family is almost broken. But they struggle together to become a family for the 1st time.
I love Matt. He's an observant and determined. He shows me how important it is to notice every fine thing, to be wise in dealing with turmoils and to always have plans to fix things. And of course, appreciate our family. They're the only ones we've got and don't let it crumble. Also, sometimes we have to learn to let go of things and move on.
And even though the art of wayfinding has been lost to me, I try to steer us to shore in as straight line as possible.
- Matt King, The Descendants
elaineruss's review against another edition
4.0
This book surprised me. Recommended by a friend I didn't think it would be my thing but the plot sounded interesting enough.
I'm very glad I did. It's a quick easy read but wow it makes an impact. This is Hemmings first novel I believe but I shall be watching her closely.
It's funny and touching without becoming schmaltzy (which considering the plot it could have been). The reason I gave it 4 stars is because it's not consistent. Some parts seem slightly like filling.
I'm very glad I did. It's a quick easy read but wow it makes an impact. This is Hemmings first novel I believe but I shall be watching her closely.
It's funny and touching without becoming schmaltzy (which considering the plot it could have been). The reason I gave it 4 stars is because it's not consistent. Some parts seem slightly like filling.
robthereader's review against another edition
4.0
Death is complicated. That’s the premise of Kaui Hart Hemming’s Descendants, a book told through the first person present perspective of a father of two daughters becoming a widower as his wife lies in a coma and has her life support pulled. Matt King introduces himself and his family whimsically noting the shining sun, light breeze and chattering beds while by his wife’s bedside before dismissing it as whatever, an indication of how beauty can hide indifference and scars. As Matt explains his wife’s circumstance from a boating accident, he so to unfolds her infidelity and troubled relationship with his daughters, Scottie, a 10 year old with the yearning to be a woman both physically and sexually and a Alex, a 16 year old who has already experimented with drugs and is battling with teenage angst. Matt’s journey around the islands to tell his family friends of his wife’s expected death, tracking of his wife’s lover and meeting over his family’s land inheritance sale intertwines to show how he is and knows he is no present parent, let alone perfect.
The book’s title makes it seem that the story will be about this family feud over who to sell the land to before it becomes evident it is just the backstory. However, by the time Matt and the cousins make their decision it becomes clear that it is part of the story as descendants must take on their families past, just like loved ones must take on those they love’s past. There are equal parts rebellion and open tenderness and all must be considered when deciding who and how to hold people close. The fact that the writer is a woman writing in a man’s perspective gives added layers to this as there is Hemingway macho masculinity on show with Hemming moments of hurt and tenderness. These moments are captured in moments where Matt’s thoughts run on his anxiety and self disappointment while his words and conversations can be terse and quick.
In the end, death hides everyone’s past transgressions but it is how everyone moves forward and not necessarily on that allows a family to become stronger and its descendants to prosper hopefully a little more than their ancestors and suffer a little less as well.
The book’s title makes it seem that the story will be about this family feud over who to sell the land to before it becomes evident it is just the backstory. However, by the time Matt and the cousins make their decision it becomes clear that it is part of the story as descendants must take on their families past, just like loved ones must take on those they love’s past. There are equal parts rebellion and open tenderness and all must be considered when deciding who and how to hold people close. The fact that the writer is a woman writing in a man’s perspective gives added layers to this as there is Hemingway macho masculinity on show with Hemming moments of hurt and tenderness. These moments are captured in moments where Matt’s thoughts run on his anxiety and self disappointment while his words and conversations can be terse and quick.
In the end, death hides everyone’s past transgressions but it is how everyone moves forward and not necessarily on that allows a family to become stronger and its descendants to prosper hopefully a little more than their ancestors and suffer a little less as well.