A review by savvylit
Every Drop Is a Man's Nightmare by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The majority of the stories in this collection blend themes of girlhood with Native Hawaiian legend. The folklore figures all have incredibly memorable and ominous presences. There are Menehune, an ancient race of dwarf people. There are Night Marchers, malevolent groups of ancient warrior ghosts. Another unforgettable figure is the Madwoman - who exists only in the pages of Every Drop - but feels as though she could be lurking in the shallows at this very moment. Part-mermaid and part-demon, the Madwoman is one mother's creation to impart lessons on a child who she increasingly doesn't recognize.

On the whole, Every Drop is a Man's Nightmare is a delightfully magical examination of sexuality, gender, race, and class in modern Hawaii. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who loves stories about girlhood, magical realism, folklore-inspired stories, or indigenous perspectives.
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