Moloka’i

By: Alan Brennert

Narrated by: Anne Noelani Miyamoto

Length: 17 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The powerful debut novel from Alan Brennert, Moloka’i tells the story of Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl who contracts leprosy and is quarantined on the island of Moloka’i during the 1890s. Separated from her family and forced to grow up in the leper colony of Kalaupapa, Rachel experiences intense isolation. But she remains strong, finding moments of joy, and even love. Rich in Hawaiian history, this novel proves itself a stellar piece of historical fiction.

©2003 Alan Brennert (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Compellingly original … Brennert’s compassion makes Rachel a memorable character, and his smooth storytelling vividly brings early twentieth-century Hawaii to life.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Interesting Read; Pronunciation Not So Good

I'm no historian so I can't attest to the accuracy of Molokai but it sure was a good read. Interesting, heart-wrenching at times, and humorous as well, this book taught me a lot about Hansen's disease, the lifestyle of the patients, and the suffering of their families. A fair amount of research went into the writing of Molokai. It could have used additional research by the narrator into how to pronounce Hawaiian words. The narrator did a disservice to the author and, at least for readers from Hawaii, the narration was distracting. A few examples are maʻi Pākē, mispronounced as mai Pake; the Kaʻiwi Channel was pronounced the Kai-WEE Channel; the beautiful melodious name of Pele's sister Namaka ʻo Kahaʻi was butchered beyond recognition. She was starting to get it right towards the end but didn't bother to go back and correct her earlier recordings. These words and phrases were used 10-40 times each so it was a recurring irritation. This could have been avoided with a trip to almost any kumu hula anywhere--California, New York, wherever the narrator lived. Nevertheless, it was a great story. I read a review of the author's story of Honolulu and it too has negative reviews on the narrator so I plan to read that rather than listen to the audiobook.

Fiction that comes to life

One of my all time favorite listens and the story turns out to be fictional.The heroine is shipped off to Molokai at a young age.Stripped from her family because of a misunderstood disease.She lives were here uncle and is taken by the Catholic church for a time.She meets a young Japanese leper and they get married.He dies tragically before they are given a clearance to go back to Oahu to reconnect with family for a time.She has a baby that is taken from her with this young man.Much later in life she leaves the island in search of family and child and takes a job on Oahu,where she is again single out by an ignorant public at her convenience store job.She flies to California to meet her grown daughter and her grandchildren after having endured a lifetime of losses.Lepers usually have shorter life spans.A life that seemed like it should have been empty was actually quite full with relationships and the lull of surfing.I discovered as well that Hawaii didn't really want to be a part of the U.S.I had visited there in 2003 and felt it had a unique flavor.All island people are welcoming,but the western man comes along and wants to colonize them for military purposes.We foisted our religion on them and destroyed many parts of their unique culture.Furthermore,they weren't as resistant to diseases as we were,so maybe we created this mess with our conquest.

Keep the tissues handy

This story was spellbinding to me. I could not stop listening. I thank the writer for doing the research to write a book about Molika’i that showed the reader both the horror of the disease and the resiliency of the patients and the compassion of those who cared for them. A truly moving story.

Excellent

Well written story of a girl and her interrelationships with those like herself on Moloka'i.

A little slow to start - but very engaging.

Would you listen to Moloka’i again? Why?

Yes, I plan on listening to it again. We are going to Hawaii for Christams and I wanted to listen to a fiction book that took place there. It was a good book, performed very well and gave me some history in an entertaining way.

loved this book

this is a fantastic story. tears your heart out put it back in nurses you back the strength and tears it out again.

Great Story with a history lesson

If you could sum up Moloka’i in three words, what would they be?

Hawaiis Leprosy history

What did you like best about this story?

The depth of character

Have you listened to any of Anne Noelani Miyamoto’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Her vocals and accent were perfect for this story

Any additional comments?

I love a story with a little history

Read this!

Would you listen to Moloka’i again? Why?

I never plan on listening to any of my books again and then, as I am scrolling through my library, I see a title that I listened to a few years back and once again I am drawn to it. I am sure this will be one such book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Moloka’i?

When she heard her daughters voice on the phone, very emotional.

What about Anne Noelani Miyamoto’s performance did you like?

The gentleness of her voice, very easy to listen to. It was listening to the sample she read that convinced me to purchase this book.

If you could rename Moloka’i, what would you call it?

I love this title so I can't think of one that would be better.

Any additional comments?

YES, purchase this book! I almost didn't. I put in on my wish list and thought several times about whether to purchase it or not. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear about the pain and suffering I knew in this book but I was drawn in by the cover as well as the title, then I listened to the sample and that convinced me. I am so glad I did! This story took me so many places in my head and my heart.

From one who visited The colony in 1968

I visited the colony in 1968 after reading Hawaii by James Michener. I was intrigued by my visit but this novel fills in the additional magnitude of the feelings of those who were the residents. I highly recommend this book .... Wonderfully done!!

A Must

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's a great story and you really fell the pain and life that the people had to live.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was read to you by a local. It made you feel the pain and the joy. I spent 8 years in Hawaii and you could picture what and where they were. It was told very well.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are too many to pick just one. When the girls went to the party, then surfing

Who was the most memorable character of Moloka’i and why?

Rachael ! You watched her go from a young girl happy to being cast off to becoming a women and then meeting her daughter and the end