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k8griffin 's review for:
Sharks in the Time of Saviors
by Kawai Strong Washburn
I wasn't sure how I wanted to write this review, so I glanced at some others and was really surprised about why some people seemed to not enjoy this. For all the reasons they didn't, I did!
I feel the amount of "magical realism" (I came across this phrase in almost every review - is this a thing? A genre? It's the first time I'm hearing it) was just right. I didn't even really read it as "magic" but more as a metaphor for something that made Nainoa unique and different, something he was celebrated for, but also caused him to feel an immense amount of pressure. I think if you look at his abilities as a symbol of "otherness" it's easy to understand the relationship he has with his siblings, and how the path his life takes directly affects all of them.
I found the individual voices of each character/chapter to be clear and enjoyable. The writing was so distinct I actually heard their voices as I read each chapter. I enjoyed reading the Hawaiian terms and challenging myself not to look them up, but to discern their meaning from the context, and most times I was able to figure them out.
I have never read a book that was so deeply inspired by a culture I was unfamiliar with. I really appreciated the way the story felt contemporary but also pulled form the ancient heritage of its main characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys "magical realism," stories about family, about heritage, and for anyone who has an appreciation for or interest in Hawaiian culture.
I feel the amount of "magical realism" (I came across this phrase in almost every review - is this a thing? A genre? It's the first time I'm hearing it) was just right. I didn't even really read it as "magic" but more as a metaphor for something that made Nainoa unique and different, something he was celebrated for, but also caused him to feel an immense amount of pressure. I think if you look at his abilities as a symbol of "otherness" it's easy to understand the relationship he has with his siblings, and how the path his life takes directly affects all of them.
I found the individual voices of each character/chapter to be clear and enjoyable. The writing was so distinct I actually heard their voices as I read each chapter. I enjoyed reading the Hawaiian terms and challenging myself not to look them up, but to discern their meaning from the context, and most times I was able to figure them out.
I have never read a book that was so deeply inspired by a culture I was unfamiliar with. I really appreciated the way the story felt contemporary but also pulled form the ancient heritage of its main characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys "magical realism," stories about family, about heritage, and for anyone who has an appreciation for or interest in Hawaiian culture.