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A review by bookapotamus
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
5.0
Who knew an infectious disease could hold my attention so intensely? That the setting of this beautiful island, still made me want to visit, even though it's inhabitants could possibly be highly contagious with leprosy? But you almost don't care because you grow to love every single one of these human beings so fiercely, you overlook the sores, and the scabs, and the deformities - because their hearts are so pure and unblemished.
This story is the very definition of epic. I'm ashamed to not know of this history of Hawaii and the outbreak of leprosy and how badly these people were treated. It's a harrowing story of love and loss, strength and spirit - and Rachel just might be one of my most favorite literary characters of all time.
Rachel is young, just 7 years old when she finds a scab on her leg... and she's soon taken away from her family to like on Moloka'i, a beautiful tropical island off Hawaii, that is also like a prison to so many. The government sends all those affected and exposed to the disease and the colony forms and grows bigger every day. The living conditions are awful, and they wait sometimes months for basic necessities, all the while being separated from family, friends and the ones they love.
For a 7 year old it's the ultimate fear for a little girl - she's ripped from her family and deeply misses her father (another favorite character). We follow her life from childhood to adulthood, as she finds herself, finds love, loses so many people and tries to navigate a life she never thought she'd be living.
The human spirit is so incredible and the portrayal of these poor people is heartbreaking, but also inspiring. I wanted to reach in and hug everyone in the book - and seek out as much as I can about this time in history - such a dark, and troubled time in such a beautiful setting. I loved every minute of this epic journey following this brave little girl - and I cannot wait to read the second book Brennert has recently written.
This story is the very definition of epic. I'm ashamed to not know of this history of Hawaii and the outbreak of leprosy and how badly these people were treated. It's a harrowing story of love and loss, strength and spirit - and Rachel just might be one of my most favorite literary characters of all time.
Rachel is young, just 7 years old when she finds a scab on her leg... and she's soon taken away from her family to like on Moloka'i, a beautiful tropical island off Hawaii, that is also like a prison to so many. The government sends all those affected and exposed to the disease and the colony forms and grows bigger every day. The living conditions are awful, and they wait sometimes months for basic necessities, all the while being separated from family, friends and the ones they love.
For a 7 year old it's the ultimate fear for a little girl - she's ripped from her family and deeply misses her father (another favorite character). We follow her life from childhood to adulthood, as she finds herself, finds love, loses so many people and tries to navigate a life she never thought she'd be living.
The human spirit is so incredible and the portrayal of these poor people is heartbreaking, but also inspiring. I wanted to reach in and hug everyone in the book - and seek out as much as I can about this time in history - such a dark, and troubled time in such a beautiful setting. I loved every minute of this epic journey following this brave little girl - and I cannot wait to read the second book Brennert has recently written.