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 … 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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This epic novel is set in Hawaii more than 100 years ago. It deals with leprosy when it was a major disease with no cure. The family of Rachel, a young girl, is torn apart when she contracts leprosy and is removed from her family and placed in quarantine. At times I found it to be a very heartbreaking, but it also was full of hope, love and family. This story certainly made me curious to find out more about this time in history. I found this story intriguing and recommend it to those who love historical fiction!
Captivating from beginning to end. Fiction mixed with real life history, written so well that it will keep you wanting to turn the pages. The storyline is interesting, and the author did a fine job describing Hawaii so vividly. It was all so beautiful. I highly recommend this book to everyone, please add it to your bookshelf, you will not be disappointed!
I waited way too long to read this amazing book, which is timely in a strange way. The main character and her story is heartbreaking and ultimately powerful, reminding readers of the inner strength we all possess.
What’s not to say about this book? It’s truly one of the best stories that I have ever read. Historically correct, abd just beautifully written. To hear her story, and how it intertwined into the lives of the lepers, the history of Hawai’i, was a pleasure to read and become intimately into these character’s lives. Mr. Brennert is truly one of the best story tellers.
Incorporated Hawaiian history into a hard-to-put-down tale of the impact of the government’s leprosy policies on one family. Well thought out, realistic characters that you can relate to.
This is about the tragic impact that leprosy had on the Hawaiian population. The historical fiction begins on Oahu but moves on to Molokai where the government had established a leprosy colony. It is based on actual events and includes a number of characters that we know such as Father Damien. The book has been impressively researched and is a wonderful way to introduce people to a bit of history that is often unknown.
Loved this book and I am now re-reading it for book club
Long ago, I was taught that other than hell, the next worst thing was to wind up in a leper colony. So it’s a wonder I read this book. But I’m so glad I did.
This isn’t a book about the disease; although I learned so much about the disease, I only wished I’d known what I’ve learned from this book back when I was young, and it was so easy to terrify me. Moloka’i is the story of hope and love, and laughter. Yes, there’s pain too. But so much resilience that even weeks after I closed the book, my eyes still fill with tears.
Congratulations to the author, Alan Brennert, for writing this lovely book.
I loved this novel, so very well written, and I learned a great deal. I will probably reread it some day.
Exceptional.
One of my all time favorite books. SO good. A beautiful story that makes you feel for the characters and want to help them. Inspiring to see what people can do when put in circumstances that require strength and an endurance. I can not recommend this book enought.
Alan Brennert took a difficult subject, the small community of lepers exiled on the island of Molokai in the late 19th century, and created a luminous, deeply moving story with believable characters, some of whom were inspired by real people, others imagined by the author. The story is told mostly from the perspective of Rachel Kulama who is sent to the island at an early age, forced to leave her family behind. The story also touches upon the bitter reality of the American relocation camps where Japanese immigrants were forced to lived after the attack upon Pearl Harbor. The author did a tremendous amount of research; and it shows on every page. Beautifully written, he created a deeply moving story that ultimately inspires and fills the reader with hope, amazed at the resilience of the human spirit. Highly recommended.
This story stays with me. Not many books do.
This book opens up a time and place in history that is not as well known as it should be. The reality of life in Hawaii and Molokai during that period is eye opening and heart breaking. Brennert is an excellent writer, his research is precise and careful, his writing is a joy to read.
I learned so much about Hawaii. This book is tragic yet beautiful.
I learned about a time and place I had previously known so little. This story moved me to go on to read The Daughter of Molokai. This is follow up and taught me about another time in our history that our history books neglected.
Couldn’t put it down.
Loved this book. Great story around a true historical event. I never knew that those with leprosy were sent to an island location and not that far in history either. I fell in love with the characters and felt for them and rejoiced with them. Wonderful read!
4.5/5
I’ll be honest. I read this book as part of a book club. It is probably not one I would have picked up on my own simply because I tend to steer away from tearjerkers.
But while this book is a tearjerker, it’s more importantly an amazing and inspiring story of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and forge a life from seemingly impossible circumstances. A blend of fiction/nonfiction, I learned quite a bit about the stigma and early treatment of leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) in Hawaii (timeframe 1890s-1970).
It includes both religious and pagan beliefs as well as the politics and misinformation surrounding the disease and the colony on Moloka’i.
Its heroine, a young Hawaiian named Rachel, who is diagnosed at age 7 and forcibly sent into exile, is a character that will stay with me for awhile. Her strength and resilience in the face of almost insurmountable odds is a testament to how much the human spirit can overcome.
It’s a beautiful story (yes, sad…keep the tissue nearby) of family, both the one you’re born into and the one you make as you travel your life’s path. Gorgeous writing and a cast of characters that truly come to life.
This is one of my most favorite books…entertaining and I learned something about our past that I did not know about! I have recommended this book several times to friends!