Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

"To see the infinite pity of this place,
The mangled limb, the devastated face,
The innocent sufferer smiling at the rod --
A fool were tempted to deny his God.
He sees, he shrinks.  But if he gaze again,
Lo, beauty springing from the breast of pain!
He marks the sisters on the mournful shores;
And even a fool is silent and adores." -Robert Louis Stevenson, "To Mother Maryanne" written while visiting Kalawao, Molokai.

I forget who suggested this novel for our book club but I am glad they did. Of course, it is my favorite genre---historical fiction, but it involves the little-known scourge of leprosy and the effect it had on those with the disease and their families. I learned a great deal and enjoyed reading descriptions of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

The novel is primarily the story of Rachel Kalama, diagnosed with leprosy as a young child and exiled to Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka'i. There she would spend the next 50+ years, separated from her family. It had to be terrifying for a 6-year-old to be taken from her parents and siblings and sent to a place full of strangers. Other people of the leper colony---nuns and other afflicted people---become her family, ohana, over time. The author discusses how he mixed fact and fiction in his Author's Note: "By interweaving real-life patients and caregivers with my fictional cast of characters, I sought to blur the lines between fact and fiction." Most of us have heard of Father Damien, an example of a real historical figure and a minor character in the novel. (More about him in final comments.) Many characters are quite simpatico---Henry Kalama, Rachel's adoring Papa; Uncle Pono and Haleola, an adopted aunt, both lepers; and Sister Catherine who provides wise counsel as a mother-figure to Rachel.

The author obviously did extensive research, especially into leprosy, these days called Hansen's disease. In Hawaiian ma'i pa ke became known as the "sickness that tears apart families." Also many actual events are featured---the annexation of Hawaii in 1898, Halley's Comet in 1910, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and a horribly destructive tsunami in 1946.

I enjoyed the setting, especially the mentions of places my husband and I visited a few years ago---Waikiki Beach, Iolani Palace and the "Road to Hana," a super narrow, steep, curvy road along the cliffs of Maui. Hawaii is a virtual paradise.

Moloka'i, though not exactly a page-turner, was in turns a heart-breaking story and an inspiring tale of human strength and determination. I am giving a rating of 4. I liked the novel enough to want to read the sequel, Daughter of Moloka'i, one of these days. We will see next week what the Page Turners think. More then....
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Our group met via Zoom---again! Not nearly as satisfying but better than no meeting, for sure! Most of our members enjoyed the novel and we all felt it educated us about a time, place and situation we knew little about. Our group average rating is 4.5, with all voting 4 or 5. A highlight of our meeting was provided by a guest who shared some personal background. Her great-grandfather, Charles Hyde, was a missionary in Hawaii at the time of the novel and knew Father Damien. The story was intriguing with a bit of scandal involving Robert Louis Stevenson.

Another member suggested an article called "From Outcast to Spy to Outcast: The War Hero with Hansen's Disease" about Josefina Guerrero's work in Japanese-occupied Philippines. Fascinating true story and so relatable to this novel! Perhaps you can find it.

Another related book mentioned: The Island about a leper colony on the island of Crete.