A few years ago I read the book Moloka'i by Alan Brennert for my local book club and everyone enjoyed it. When I saw that the sequel was in the works, I was very excited to see Rachel's story continue.
Daughter of Moloka'i is a book about Rachel's daughter, Ruth, who was born inside a lepers' colony in 1917. Because Rachel was quarantined for most of her life to due leprosy, (those with the disease were forced to live on Moloka'i and be quarantined...a life sentence), Rachel was forced to give up her daughter for adoption immediately after birth. This book continues the story of Ruth's life after she was adopted. This book is divided into three parts: Hapa (a native Hawaiian word that means half - Ruth is half Japanese and half Hawaiian) Gaman: Japanese term of Buddhist origin that means "enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity: Ohana: Hawaiian word that means family The first part details Ruth's life in the orphanage, and her transition into her new life as an adopted daughter. The story follows this family's journeys to begin a new life in California in the 1920s. Ruth is adopted into a loving Japanese family and she quickly learns what it means to be Japanese and learn their customs and traditions. They begin a new chapter in California where there are many anti-Japanese groups in the Sacramento area. As time passes, and the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor occurs, President FDR then orders for all residents of Japanese descent (citizens or not), to be sent to live in the Internment Camps. The second part of the book is about their life preparing to go, and to eventually live in the Internment Camps. This sparked my curiosity in learning more about the families who made up the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were sent to live in these awful camps for 1-2 years. The family endured hardships, both physically and emotionally, (they lived in a horse stall!), but strived to stick together in order to endure. The third part of the book centers around an adult Ruth, who is learning the story of her origins and how her family grows and adapts as she reconnects with her past. This is my 3rd novel to enjoy by Alan Brennert and his writing is very strong, thoroughly researched, and really draws you in. His character driven novels draw you close to Rachel and her family. I truly enjoyed the book, and I appreciate the opportunity to access an Advanced Readers Copy for review. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Daughter of Moloka'i will be released on Tuesday, February 20! To learn more about the Japanese Internment Camps here are a few links: The History of Japanese Internment Camps www.historyonthenet.com/world-war-two-japanese-internment-camps-in-the-usa Ceremony to Honor Survivors of Japanese Internment Camps www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/Ceremony-To-Honor-Survivors-Of-Japanese-13623267.php The Injustice of Japanese-American Internment Camps Resonates Strongly to This Day www.smithsonianmag.com/history/injustice-japanese-americans-internment-camps-resonates-strongly-180961422/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives |