Molokai

Carolyn – Wondered how much of this was true, so she did some research and found it accurate. Leprosy was a biblical disease in her mind, so she was surprised it was still around.  What a horrible thing to go through on so many different levels, but especially for a child. Imagine being put in a crate on a boat and shipped off.  Couldn’t believe that the last colony was closed in Louisiana as recently as 1998. She liked how the tidbits of history kept her mind in the correct time frame throughout the story. Carolyn admired the nuns who dedicated their lives caring for the lepers knowing they would see them die. She liked that it took place mostly at the colony, and it didn’t bother her that the pace sped up when Rachel was released. She liked it because it made her think a lot and was very informative.

Miles – Started off the evening with these classics:

What happened when the leper ran into a screen door?

He strained himself.

Why did they cancel the leper hockey game?

There was a face-off in the corner!

Hear about the leper who failed his driving test?

He left his foot on the pedal.

Miles saw a Nicolas Sparks movie starring Zach Efron several months ago. It was a somewhat of a tearjerker, but had an easy setting, likable characters, and the plot was more summary than story but it eventually fleshed out. Miles likened that movie to Molokai. The setting transported him, and it was interesting to learn about leprosy. Nuns fascinate Miles so it had that going for it. Reconciling God and one’s faith is interesting. Miles figured Rachel would eventually get to see her family and daughter again, so it was fulfilling in a Nicholas Sparks everything ties together sort of way. Miles noted that the moral structure breaks down and cultural taboos become more acceptable where there are isolated communities such as this one.

Leticia –knew of the leper colony on Molokai from her days as a travel agent. She described leprosy as a horrible, but luridly fascinating disease. She didn’t think the characters needed to be complex because what they were going through was so dramatic. She too admired the nuns and couldn’t believe that Sister Catherine gave up a chance at a better life. The author did a great job making us empathize with Rachel as she learns to deal with the disease. She was inspired by how they could still live a ‘normal’ life, and found herself choked up at times. The doctors were amazing people to continue working not knowing if they would get sick. She felt the struggles of the characters: Kenji when he was declared leprosy free but told Rachel he failed the test so he could stay with her, Uncle Pono’s death, Rachel’s brother dying of leprosy hidden away from everyone because his mom couldn’t bear to have another child taken to Molokai. Leticia thought these types of things must have happened and she found it so sad and believable.

Sandy – this reminded her of the beginning of the AIDS crises and how everyone was so scared during the height of it. She identified with that, because you are literally dealing with life and death. The colony was pretty good for what it was. She mentioned how tough her grandparents had it immigrating from Italy and thought the lepers had it relatively nice what with living in paradise and being taken care of and all. The characters were frolicking with laughter quite a bit. She knew the historical parts were true, but there was too much of it with little depth, and the story was painfully predictable at times. Given the nature of the disease Sandy was impressed that they were treated as compassionately as they were. She thought it an okay book and thinks that people who are super nice and patient will love it.

Maggie – plodded through the story and thought, “Please, get on with it!”  I guess Maggie must not be super nice or patient, eh Sandy? The story telling was very basic and a bit flowery. There was too much concentration on Rachel and a small group of people. It took her forever to read, but she learned a lot. She thought that it tied up too pat and sugary at the end with her reconnection to her daughter. Could have been better written.

Pat – I have learned from K’lynn that if I don’t care about the characters I don’t care about the book. What kind of heartless jerk doesn’t care about a little girl getting leprosy? This heartless jerk. Actually, I cared at first. But after 60 years of story with misery after misery falling upon one dimensional characters I couldn’t wait for her to die and have it over. I was looking forward to learning about Father Damien, but was disappointed that he came much earlier. The whole thing had the ring of an after school special to me.

Michelle –At the end of the book she was impressed by how much non-fiction was woven into historical fiction. She did not realize how much of this was true which is part of why she rated so high. The different views on how leprosy came about were interesting. Was it sexually transmitted, a moral problem, incorrectly naming your child, a spiritual problem? How did it come about? She couldn’t believe the leper isolation laws weren’t abolished until 1969, twenty years after the cure! She thought the author did a great job describing Hawaii, especially climbing the mountains. She loved the characters because they survived. Rachel was mature, brave, and rebellious. Michelle loved the relationship between Rachel and her dad.  If she hadn’t had that, she would’ve been just like any other girl. She learned so much and thought the author did a great job cramming a lot of history into the book. Michelle was inspired to learn more online and found a picture of a nun bandaging up a leper who had been her friend for more than 50 years. She also came across this movie about Father Damien:

Would totally recommend this book.

Becky – was in the middle with this book and a lot had already been said. Imagine being arrested because of a sore on your leg. She felt bad for Rachel’s sister when she tattled on her. Imagine having that to live with for the rest of your life. It bothered Becky that the author included every possible thing that could ever happen to a leper and brought it all upon Rachel. It was interesting to learn about leprosy, but implausible that she found her sister and daughter at the end. Overall she enjoyed it, and found it a quick read.

K’lynn - Sad story of when leprosy was a relatively misunderstood disease. The ordeal that so many families were put through must have been heart breaking. Rachel was sent to her first hospital at age 6 (Molokai when she was 7). That's how old the boys are now. Can't even imagine never being able to see and/or touch them again. So sad!

My biggest criticism of this story is that I felt like the Author tried to do too much. He tried to create an epic, sweeping saga about leprosy and specifically about the life of Rachel Kalama- but he fell short or ran out of steam somewhere along the way. He spent too much time on Rachel's early years, and not enough on her later years when her emotions could've been better described. Trying to include World War II and the Japanese Internment camps were big subjects to take on and add to an already deep and moving story. In my opinion, he should've left it out- did not do it justice at all.

Although this book covered some tough issues (transgendered friend, domestic violence, rape, tsunami, world war II, Japanese internment camps) it had too many glib moments to be believable. For example, Rachel is befriended by a Senator who eventually becomes Governor and changes life at Kalaupapa for all its residents after meeting Rachel (really?). Finding her daughter again after 30+ years- could happen I guess. Just was not deeply explored and I left feeling unconvinced.

I also felt like there were many stories that were left unfinished. What ever happened to Sister Catherine? I have no clue!! Or plots that were unnecessary to the story; Leilani's sexuality, sister Catherine’s family struggles or Pono and Haleola “getting it on?" Really? Also felt confused a lot about how old Rachel was at different times during the story. Was reading on my kindle and could not go back to check dates. More of a criticism about reading it on the kindle rather than the book itself.

Molokai sounds like a beautiful place. I felt the author did a great job of conveying the lush green surroundings. Leprosy was something I didn't know a lot about. This book was actually on my list to read. Glad I read it. Good pick Carolyn!

Next Book: The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers