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Moloka'i: A Novel
by Alan Brennert

Published: 2010-04-01
Kindle Edition : 402 pages
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Recommended to book clubs by 4 of 4 members

Young Rachel Kalama, growing up in idyllic Honolulu in the 1890s, is part of a big, loving Hawaiian family, and dreams of seeing the far-off lands that her father, a merchant seaman, often visits. But at the age of seven, Rachel and her dreams are shattered by the discovery that she has ...

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Introduction

Young Rachel Kalama, growing up in idyllic Honolulu in the 1890s, is part of a big, loving Hawaiian family, and dreams of seeing the far-off lands that her father, a merchant seaman, often visits. But at the age of seven, Rachel and her dreams are shattered by the discovery that she has leprosy. Forcibly removed from her family, she is sent to Kalaupapa, the isolated leper colony on the island of Moloka'i.

In her exile she finds a family of friends to replace the family she's lost: a native healer, Haleola, who becomes her adopted "auntie" and makes Rachel aware of the rich culture and mythology of her people; Sister Mary Catherine Voorhies, one of the Franciscan sisters who care for young girls at Kalaupapa; and the beautiful, worldly Leilani, who harbors a surprising secret. At Kalaupapa she also meets the man she will one day marry.

True to historical accounts, Moloka'i is the story of an extraordinary human drama, the full scope and pathos of which has never been told before in fiction. But Rachel's life, though shadowed by disease, isolation, and tragedy, is also one of joy, courage, and dignity. This is a story about life, not death; hope, not despair. It is not about the failings of flesh, but the strength of the human spirit.

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Serve Hawaiian food
by [email protected] (see profile) 09/21/17

Member Reviews

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  "The horrors of war"by liz p. (see profile) 02/11/22

Rachel was forced to give up her newborn daughter, Ruth, because she has leprosy. Ruth is eventually adopted by a loving Japanese family and all is going well, until the family moves to Cali... (read more)

 
by Cindy F. (see profile) 04/05/19

 
by Catherine P. (see profile) 03/30/19

 
by Sara S. (see profile) 12/31/18

 
by Margaret J. (see profile) 09/17/18

 
by Marlene M. (see profile) 09/07/18

 
by Linda P. (see profile) 02/16/18

 
by Danette S. (see profile) 02/11/18

 
  "Unexpected Hawaii"by Rasima L. (see profile) 09/21/17

Hawaii islands are known for vacation, relaxing, romantic paradise. This book opens the other side of paradise- dark, no-hope, not developed island-prison.
A lot of historical facts, local
... (read more)

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