A review by karaklos
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
4.0
Moloka’i is the heartbreaking life story of Rachel Kalama, who was sent to the island of Moloka’i as a child for contracting leprosy. Spanning almost 80 years, the story begins with her finding a sore on her leg that won’t heal. Shortly after, she is taken from her family and banished to Moloka’i.
On Moloka’i she has to learn to build a new life for herself and make a new family. The people there are deprived of their freedom but also basic life necessities. It’s a brutal life that no one should have endured. Somehow they made the best of their time there while they watch their friends taken by the disease one by one.
I was intrigued with the idea of the island staying locked in time while the world moved on. After such a challenging life, getting released and still being feared by others was even more heartbreaking.
While I enjoyed the history, culture. and Rachel’s story, I found the pacing to be uneven with very slow parts (particularly in the middle). The language used seemed too modern for the time. An enjoyable read I will remember.
On Moloka’i she has to learn to build a new life for herself and make a new family. The people there are deprived of their freedom but also basic life necessities. It’s a brutal life that no one should have endured. Somehow they made the best of their time there while they watch their friends taken by the disease one by one.
I was intrigued with the idea of the island staying locked in time while the world moved on. After such a challenging life, getting released and still being feared by others was even more heartbreaking.
While I enjoyed the history, culture. and Rachel’s story, I found the pacing to be uneven with very slow parts (particularly in the middle). The language used seemed too modern for the time. An enjoyable read I will remember.