Cindy M. (cindymcc) reviewed on + 44 more book reviews
In the 1890's, a young girl is wrenched from her family and sent to Moloka'i, the leper colony for Hawaii. Spanning decades, the book follows her as she forges new bonds with others suffering from the same disease and with a young nun caring for those afflicted.
Of my book club, two of us thoroughly enjoyed the book (including me), two didn't like it, and the other four were so-so. But after reading several award-winning books that were rather depressing (I'm starting to think that crushing tragedy is one of the criteria that literary award winners must meet), I found that the author treated a grim topic delicately and found a way for his characters to cope and to find some joy in their lives.
Bottom line? I cried twice while reading the book, believed the ending decades of the protagonist's life were a bit rushed, and have thought about the book quite a bit since finishing it several weeks ago. I'd recommend it.
Of my book club, two of us thoroughly enjoyed the book (including me), two didn't like it, and the other four were so-so. But after reading several award-winning books that were rather depressing (I'm starting to think that crushing tragedy is one of the criteria that literary award winners must meet), I found that the author treated a grim topic delicately and found a way for his characters to cope and to find some joy in their lives.
Bottom line? I cried twice while reading the book, believed the ending decades of the protagonist's life were a bit rushed, and have thought about the book quite a bit since finishing it several weeks ago. I'd recommend it.
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