Sample

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Moloka’i

By: Alan Brennert
Narrated by: Anne Noelani Miyamoto
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.79

Buy for $25.79

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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)

What listeners say about Moloka’i

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,141
  • 4 Stars
    887
  • 3 Stars
    297
  • 2 Stars
    68
  • 1 Stars
    45
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,012
  • 4 Stars
    642
  • 3 Stars
    205
  • 2 Stars
    39
  • 1 Stars
    33
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,966
  • 4 Stars
    654
  • 3 Stars
    223
  • 2 Stars
    52
  • 1 Stars
    27

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A thorough, revealing walk in another's shoes.

Although not to be taken lighthearted, the story was written and performed exceptionally well.
This is an entire "life walk" in another person's shoes who had one hurdle after another(making my daily trials feel petty) but did her best to see the good in what she had. It was quite an eye opener for myself with a wealth of history I was previously unaware of.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written story

I fell in love with this book. A tragic and compelling story beautifully written and narrated gracefully. A story where humanity in all its beauty and ugliness comes through.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!

Interesting historical fiction. I had always heard about Moloka’i but not much more than the passing mention. This book brought the stories of the island, Illness and patients to life. I loved it. I learned so much. Great character development. Highly recommend!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Could not put it down

Wonderful book. I did not find any boring parts from start to finish. I will enjoy reading it again in a few years.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sad but true

Sad but it is a facet of US and Hawaii history we need to be aware of. It is ultimately inspiring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favorites!

I love historical fiction, and I truly loved this book! The character development is rich, and I truly loved so many of them. The pages indeed came alive. Truly phenomenal!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Historical Fiction

A true journey of an entire lifetime through the eyes of a Hawaiian girl experiencing leprosy. We see all stages of life, from young childhood to middle age, old age and even death. The book takes you through historical events of Hawaii from the 1880’s to 1950’s, including the coupe that deposed the Queen, the invention of automobiles and aircraft, and the events of Pearl Harbor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwrenching and Beautiful

Where does Moloka’i rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would put it in the top five for sure.

What other book might you compare Moloka’i to and why?

I'm not sure there is one I would compare it to. I gave it a try because of the setting and feeling nostalgic for the years I spent in Hawaii.

What does Anne Noelani Miyamoto bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was the perfect narrator. I loved listening to her speak Hawaiian.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and I cried more than once. I wish I could have listened to the story all at once but there was no way to do that. It was just so engrossing that one had to take a break now and then!

Any additional comments?

This was an unexpected jewel as far as books go. I do like historical fiction in general but I'm usually leaning more towards European history but I am so glad I gave this story a shot!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful story

What did you love best about Moloka’i?

I loved the characters in this book, they were well written. The descriptions of the Hawaiian Islands made it very easy to imagine I was there.

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

The story was beautifully read.

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

Tragedy in Paradise

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Hunanizes Hanson's deisease. Well done.

Legends and stories of old Hawaii artfully woven into the plot. Main character is thoroughly developed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!