Imagine yourself a young child, living on Oahu, Hawaii during the late 1800’s. One day, your Mother notices a rose colored mark on your skin and before you know it, your whole life is turned upside down. Moloka’i, written by Alan Brennert, transports the reader to a world little known to most of us. After contracting the dreaded leprosy, Rachel Kalama is sent from her family to the island of Moloka’i, where she is quarantined on a leprosy settlement. With only her Uncle Pono, who also has leprosy, with her, Rachel needs to begin her new life on Moloka’i. From her relationship with a nun who struggles herself with ghosts from her past, to the best “girlfriend” who happens to be a transvestite, the author pulls on your heartstrings and rarely lets go.
This piece of historical fiction, while at times heartbreaking and sad, was also very moving and inspirational. Instead of letting her disease beat her and strip her of her dignity, Rachel rises above leprosy and goes on to live a life full of love, family and possibility.
I read Moloka’i along with eight other women for my book club. It made for a really interesting discussion and a popular choice for the club. Next up for the book club is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. This is a re-read for me and I am really looking forward to discussing it.
