From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

Moloka'i (Moloka'i, #1)

Alan Brennert

Start date: May 1, 2021

Finish date: May 31, 2021

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What Members Thought

May 14, 2021 Maureen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When you think of Hawaii, you think of the beautiful islands and palm trees.
I knew little about the island of Moloka’i There is a lot of history to learn.

This is Rachel’s story. It is a heartbreaking tale of a young child inflicted with leprosy. She had to abandon her family and be quarantined at Moloka’i
Rachel was only seven years old. She could never see her family again. Her father was able to visit from time to time behind a wired fence.
We see the injustices of how people with leprosy were t ...more

34 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2019 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, america, elibrary, history, audiobook, recommended-by-friend, hawaii, 1900s

RATING: 4.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

OMG, this book will leave you feeling spent when you finish the last page. My emotions were all over the place as Alan Brennert tell us about Rachel Kalama and how she was sent to Kalaupapa, the isolated leprosy settlement on Milika'i. I was sick at home with a head cold and didn't feel like reading but felt like reading. In moments like that I turn to audiobooks. I looked to see what the eLibrary had available now to listen. (I love eLibraries for days like ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2015 Tasha rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, historical-fiction, favorites-2016, favorites-2021

Beautiful writing and a beautiful story. Before reading this I knew very little about leprosy and nothing about the settlement on Moloka'i but I do now which is one of the reasons I just love well-done historical fiction. A fascinating time in history.

Reread May 2021, listened this time and it's still a wonderful, captivating story. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Mar 15, 2021 Celia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-kindle-counted, 2021-read, ten-year-challenge, book-shelf-former, elyse, kindle-list, recommended-read, 2020-w-rcc

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2009 Book Concierge rated it really liked it

Shelves: 19th-century, medicine, historical-fiction, own, nature, library, concierge, strong-women, survival

Wonderful historical fiction about the Kalupapa leper settlement. I had read Tayman's "The Colony" last year and I could tell that Brennert really did his research for this novel. ...more

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Dec 29, 2024 Sarah Brown rated it it was amazing

Shelves: abc-2024

I finally got to reading this after many recommendations! Though, not the happiest of srories, it is a must read! I could not imagine - having leprosy, and then on top of it being isolated to an island, more than likely never to see my family again. And, just the constant rejection / distaste from others because of vejng a leper. I never realized there was such an outbreak, and then this island in Hawaii, jusy for lepers. To me, leper is just something you hear about in the Bible. I just love re ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 04, 2009 Phair rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-club

Really good! Lots of description, emotion, good characters & interactions. Covered the 70 year span of the story well bringing in what was happening in the world as well as Hawaii without being ham-handed or pedantic. A very rich and interesting novel.

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May 22, 2021 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction

This is the second book that I've read by Brennert and he does not disappoint with this beautifully written novel. In this novel, one can learn about Hansen's disease and it's impact on the people that were forcibly placed on Moloka'i. I walked away with so much empathy for the families that were separated from one another and the prejudices experienced by those diagnosed with Hansen's. The islands are described beautifully, one can feel like they're actually in Hawaii while reading the novel. A ...more

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