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A review by roaming_reader
Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I'm not usually one that can sit through a slow-paced book, and the first 100 pages or so are very slow. But they give important context, and hook the reader enough that you want to keep going and you wan to see where the story will go. "Hula" is a multi-generational story, focusing on mother and daughter relationships and the importance and sometimes fluidity of identity. I admit that I am not well versed on Hawaiian history or culture, and I learned a lot from this book. The author decided against including a glossary of the many Hawaiian words and phrases used in the writing and I support the decision for that. She wrote that she didn't want to other the story by using a glossary, italics, or footnotes. The author also noted that she is not native Hawaiian, although she was born there and comes from a family who has been there since the 1800s. And this is reflected in the characters of the novel, especially Hi'i. The book was thoroughly researched and the story was drawn from both that research and the author's childhood and life in Hawai'i.
"Hula" is written in a really interesting way - a mix of second and third-person writing. We hear the inner monologue of the characters, but we are also told the story through the collective voice of Hilo itself. It took a minute to get used to this, but I thought that it was such a beautiful and interesting way to present the story. Hilo itself was also a character, so it needed a voice.
The only reason I did not rate this book 5 stars is because of the pacing. It starts out very slow and eventually picks up, but it was definitely challenging to get to the meat of the story. But, I will recommend it to anyone. It's beautiful.
"Hula" is written in a really interesting way - a mix of second and third-person writing. We hear the inner monologue of the characters, but we are also told the story through the collective voice of Hilo itself. It took a minute to get used to this, but I thought that it was such a beautiful and interesting way to present the story. Hilo itself was also a character, so it needed a voice.
The only reason I did not rate this book 5 stars is because of the pacing. It starts out very slow and eventually picks up, but it was definitely challenging to get to the meat of the story. But, I will recommend it to anyone. It's beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer