by Alan Brennart
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.
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.
My review:
MOKOKA'I is a fictional tale about true events of people who contracted leprosy in Hawaii. So, interesting to learn about some of the history of the beautiful islands and so sad to hear the accounts of the people who contracted this terrible disease.
Just innocent people who lost family and their future to this disease. Things you never thought about and maybe even knew about were brought up in a way that made me want to know more.
I read this while I was on vacation. I picked it up whenever I had a few minutes of down time and got lost in it's pages.
For my readers: This is not a "Christian" book Persay but it does mention it a lot along with native american beliefs within it's pages. Recommend this book for older teens.
This book was given to me by my daughter. She wanted to know if it was worth her time to read. Oh, yes!
I have this book here at home and have yet to read it. I remember visting Kalaupapa years ago and hearing some of the stories of the people there.
ReplyDeletewhat a sad situation they had but they made it work. I hope you get to read it soon, Debbie
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