Helpful Score: 4
A very engrossing meld of fact and fiction. The facts cover the creation of the leprosarium on Molokai in the mid 1800's and its history up until the late 1900s. The fiction chronicles the life of a leper from age 6 until her death in her 80's. Recommend!
Helpful Score: 4
Touching and sad profile of life for a young Hawaiian girl diagnosed with Leprosy at the turn of the century. An intimate glimpse into the lives of those banished to the leper colony on Moloka'i. You'll enjoy the read even more if you've been to the islands.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a very sad but beautiful story.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was rich with character development. The author is adept at bringing the reader into the story. I felt the emotions that the characters were experiencing and was transformed into the island setting! I couldn't put the book down.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is a haunting story that will stay with me for a long time, which is the mark of a good book. Unfortunately, it is hard to get into. I had bought the book and tried to read it a year or 2 ago, and put it down. Then our book club picked it. I'm glad I "had" to read it. It was worth it. I learned so much about old Hawaiin history, leprosy, and the history of the island of Molokai. I've even requested the author's next book.
I was told to read this by a friend who said the characters are so real you get to really know them all. She was right. it is the story of a little girl condemned to live in a leper colony and all the people she gets to know along the way. Fiction based on fact, it is a wonderful story of spirit.
