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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.
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert is a deeply engaging story about Rachel Kalama who in the late 1800s, at the young age of six, is diagnosed with leprosy. She is torn from her family in Honolulu and shipped to the leper colony of Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka’i to be raised by nuns. The impact of this destroys her parents’ marriage and leaves this little girl alone in the world.
The isolation and fear that the lepers received was quite simply heartbreaking. Rachel’s world has becomes the leper colony and she could very well be spending the rest of her life there. She does eventually form a family comprised of friends although many of her ‘found family’ die from the disease. She also meets the man that she will marry but the disease and the rules that society place on it’s victims mean that true happiness is elusive. Rachel matures into a strong young woman who learns to overcome the challenges in her life. Her fascinating story is set against a backdrop of 20th century events.
Moloka’i is a well written and informative work of historical fiction. The author draws the reader into Rachel’s world and we easily learn to care for her and the people around her. He also shows a great respect for Hawaiian culture, religion and history. This is a rich, complex story that pulls on the emotions as it tells of Rachel’s personal strength and bravery. ( )
This book has been on my shelves for a really long time. I finally took it down and finished reading it today. The story of Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, who contracts leprosy is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I've also had Daughter of Moloka'i for awhile and have it lined up to read shortly. ( )
Late in 19th century Hawaii, young Rachel Kalama is discovered to have a rose-colored mark on her skin and is soon taken from her family and moved to the island of Moloka'i, to the isolated and quarantined leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa. Though in many ways this seems like a death sentence and Rachel dearly misses her family, esp. her father, she eventually becomes part of a new family on Moloka'i.
I've had this book on my shelf for a long time. I'm not sure why I didn't get to it sooner, despite knowing it had a lot of great reviews. It's a very well-written novel of historical fiction, detailing a piece of history I really had virtually no knowledge of prior to reading. There is not a lot of what I'd call action in this novel, but it's hard not to get swept up in Rachel's world and in the lives of all the people around her. It's a coming-of-age novel, beginning with Rachel at 7 years old and continuing until the end of her life, with lots of bittersweet moments. Despite all that, I feel kind of bad not rating this higher, as many have. I think I went in with really high expectations, and though it was good, it didn't completely sweep me up like I'd hoped. But still an excellent story of an important time in Hawaii's history. It gives the reader a new and different perspective on the term "leprosy". ( )
Engaging, enchanting story. Learned about leprosy, the colony, human growth and challenges. I loved the descriptions of Kalaupapa and the ocean. It is a beautiful book. ( )
This was a beautiful read and one that I come back to over and over. The story has stuck with me how not many do, particularly because it is so raw and honest. ( )
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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The isolation and fear that the lepers received was quite simply heartbreaking. Rachel’s world has becomes the leper colony and she could very well be spending the rest of her life there. She does eventually form a family comprised of friends although many of her ‘found family’ die from the disease. She also meets the man that she will marry but the disease and the rules that society place on it’s victims mean that true happiness is elusive. Rachel matures into a strong young woman who learns to overcome the challenges in her life. Her fascinating story is set against a backdrop of 20th century events.
Moloka’i is a well written and informative work of historical fiction. The author draws the reader into Rachel’s world and we easily learn to care for her and the people around her. He also shows a great respect for Hawaiian culture, religion and history. This is a rich, complex story that pulls on the emotions as it tells of Rachel’s personal strength and bravery. (