Daughter of Moloka'I by Alan Brennert is a 2019 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Vivid and poignant, very effective and emotional!

It took me a long time to get around to reading Moloka’i, and I deeply regretted putting it off for so long. However, on the positive side, having read it so close to the publication date of this long anticipated follow up, all the details were still very fresh in my mind. Remembering the many reasons why Ruth was placed for adoption so clearly, experiencing her story first hand, was more touching and heart wrenching and the story is felt more powerful and intense.

To recap-
Ruth’s parents were both inflicted with leprosy and lived on the island of Moloka’i in Hawaii. Ruth was free of the disease, but her parents had to give her up so that she could live a full and happy life. Ruth is biracial- part Hawaiian and part Japanese. Her adoptive parents are Japanese, and Ruth is also blessed with having older brothers. Her life is good, her parents love her, but Ruth has to cope with racism and prejudice aimed at her because she of her mixed race. She also experienced cultural misogyny and sexism. However, Ruth’s life changes forever, when her parent move from Hawaii to California, hoping to own and work their own land. Sadly, they were misled, and things didn’t work out for them quite the way they planned. However, Ruth grows up, gets married, and starts her own family. However, life as she knows it comes to an abrupt halt when the Japanese invade Pearl Harbor. Ruth and her family are among the many Japanese Americans rounded up and sent to the internment camps. Although she makes the best of the situation, it also leaves her embittered.

Eventually, the story merges with that of Ruth’s mother, Rachel, who is now widowed and declared free of her leprosy. The mother and daughter finally meet and forge a bittersweet relationship.

I strongly urge anyone considering this book to read the first Moloka'i beforehand. The story will not have the same impact if you are not aware of Rachel’s backstory and the hopes she had for Ruth.

The bulk of the story is centered around Ruth’s life in the internment camps and the horrible injustices bestowed on these American citizens. I’m glad this period of history is spoken of more frequently now, and more closely examined.

I never heard a great deal about the plight of the Japanese Americans during world war two, until a little over a decade or so back. It was not a topic that came up frequently, and when it did, it was quickly glossed over.

The more I learned about it the conditions of the relocation camps, the way these families were stripped of everything they had worked for, the more mortified I became. This was certainly not a shining moment in US history. Although many years later, some acknowledgments and apologies were eventually forthcoming, and a pittance was given the survivors, it doesn’t come close to compensating for what these endured and lost.

This is a period in history that should get more exposure, especially in the classroom. While I would like for us to learn from the past and be ever more diligent not to repeat our mistakes, I hold my breath, wondering when- not if- this same exact thing will happen again.

This story personalizes the struggles of those in California who were forced to live in the camps, and once released were forced to start building their lives all over again from scratch. Living through these times, seeing it from Ruth’s perspective certainly gave me pause. Ruth is a strong character, who endured much, felt deep convictions, and although she never fully released her bitterness, her life was enriched by her adoptive family, her husband and children, and eventually, by having the chance to forge a relationship with Rachel.

This novel has an entirely different tone from its predecessor. It’s not as tender, has a sharper edge to it, more befitting of the situation, I suppose. I think Ruth’s character is as sympathetic as Rachel’s, but the era of time the story is written in, as well as the dynamics between Ruth’s adoptive family, which was also quite intense at times, makes the atmosphere heavier and the characters tougher, but equally resilient.

I would caution against starting this one with preconceived notions. Don’t expect the same type of emotional elements, or tragic poignancy as Moloka’i. It is certainly different, but I appreciated it and found it to be a very compelling novel. I must confess, I enjoyed seeing Rachel and Ruth reunited, and although Rachel continued to suffer loss and lingering health issues, she lived a full life, as did Ruth, both women overcoming adversity, getting on with the business of life and living, and appreciating every moment they were alive – and FREE!

Five Reasons Why Daughter of Moloka'i Should Be Next on Your List to Read:
1. The timeline and accuracy of events is perfectly executed. Plus, this facet of WWII is so underrepresented, that I can do nothing but commend the author for taking the time to so vividly portray the Japanese American side to the war. .
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2. If you have read Moloka'i your heart will sing as you read some of the cameos and tie-ins throughout this one. Unlike some sequels where the main character is played by a different actor, or the storyline is barely tepid, this sequel can stand on it’s own, and the sequel part is just an added benefit. .
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3. The balance between triumph and tragedy is spot on. Just when I felt as though I couldn't take any more horrible-ness, something truly beautiful would shine through and have me whipping to the next page. . .

4. This is a true historical fiction book. You know how some historical fiction are a lot less historical and mainly just fiction with a whisper of history? This isn’t like that. I was living, breathing, and feeling the time periods to the fullest through the characters’ eyes. .
5. Finishing this book was like finishing your favorite meal. You sit back, take a deep breath, and feel 100% satisfied with the experience. I loved every. Single. Minute. of this book. .
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I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for being a perfect sequel to one of my favorite books. Thank you @stmartinspress for my #egalley of this one. I loved it so much I had to go buy my own hardcover.

4.2 - another fascinating historical novel from Alan Brennert; I felt like it lost some speed in the last 1/3, but it was still illuminating about life in California and Hawaii during/after WWII

Wow! This is a breathtaking novel that took me on an unexpected, yet highly gratifying journey. The characters (Moloka'i, Rachel, and Ruth) are conveyed realistically and I could tell the author spent time researching what life was like during this time. I have not read Moloka'i, but I am third in line for it at the library.

I enjoyed hearing Ruth’s story in this sequel to Moloka’i but it somehow lacked the impact the first book had on me when I read it several years ago. Watching Ruth discover her birth mother truly loved her and seeing Rachel become a large part of her life was a satisfying conclusion to the combined stories. But I think the real strength in the sequel was the time the family spent in the Japanese Internment Camp in California. This is an event in history that is often shoved under the carpet and ignored so I appreciated Bennett’s honest portrayal of it. All in all, it was a solid 3 star read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Uplifting, poignant, fascinating...these are some of the words I would use to describe this historical saga. I recently read Moloka’i to prepare for this book and I’m really glad I did. It added a layer of depth, knowing Rachel and the start of her daughter’s story. The plot starts with Ruth being taken to the orphanage as an infant where she lives for five years before being adopted by a Japanese family. The reader is pulled into the prose about Japanese culture, the rampant racism thatJapanese Americans experienced in the early 20th century and the WW2 internment camps.

It is a sweeping tale that comes full circle to Rachel’s life on Moloka’i. Brilliantly told, this is a book that will captivate most readers and touch your heart. I was thrilled to get an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I recommend both this story and Moloka’i for folks who enjoy historical fiction stories.

The characters in this book are so rich the reader will forget they are fictional. Alan Brennert shows the strengths and flaws with equal measure – enduring them to us even if we don’t like what they do. Vivid pictures of each person are developed through specific details and readily flowing dialogue.

The horror of the way the United States treated innocent Japanese Americans and their families during WWII is brought to the forefront. The book describes the uninhabitable camps, the reprehensible way they were forced to live, and the maltreatment displayed in everyday life. The descriptions are clear and the reader has little trouble in picturing the filthy conditions.

I loved this book. The story will resonate with the reader long after the back cover is closed.

Alan Brennert doesn't pull his punches when it comes to some of the more shameful aspects of history. In Moloka'i he explored the segregation of Hansen's Disease patients in Hawai'i, through the eyes of Rachel Kalama who was removed from her family and sent to the leper colony on Moloka'i at a young age. Now, in Daughter of Moloka'i, Brennert tells the story of Ruth, the daughter Rachel was forced to give up for adoption. And his unstinting gaze falls on the racism against Japanese immigrants and the Japanese internment camps of WWII.

As always, Brennert's gaze falls beyond the immediate drama to give us the full and rich sweep of a life. Ruth's life is fully imagined, from her time in an orphanage and her dreams of finding a family to her happiness with her adopted parents and brothers to the hardships they faced as farmers in rural California to their internment and beyond. Once Rachel is re-introduced into the narrative, it is fascinating to watch Brennert tell the same story, even many of the exact same scenes, but told from Ruth's perspective. Reading the books back-to-back turns them into a wonderfully faceted multi-generational story that is a pleasure to read.

I loved the 1st book, Molokai, so I hoped this sequel written over a decade and a half later would be just as great. Well, it turns out this book is just as wonderful as its predecessor. The first book is the story of Rachel Umagawa, who was sent to live on Molokai at the age of 6, when it was discovered she had leprosy, while this book is about her daughter, Ruth, who was taken away soon after her birth and then adopted to a Japanese couple, who moved later to California. The book covers about 50 years and covers in more detail the reunion of Ruth and Rachel


I'm not sure which book I enjoyed more. The 1st book covered much that I did not know of at all, while this book covers the time period of the 1920s through 1970. Both were very informative and well-written and I recommend both books highly. Although you do not have to read Molokai to enjoy Daughter of Molokai, I'd recommend reading the first one for a better understanding of leprosy (Hansen's Disease) and the history of Rachel. 5 stars!

When I saw that Alan Brennert was writing Daughter of Moloka’i as a sequel to the beloved Moloka’i, I was beside myself with joy. It took much consideration to rate this book. The first and last third I adored and couldn’t put down, but the middle section seemed heavy handed in historical information. I actually skimmed a bit during these pages. Perhaps because it felt like an educational interruption or maybe because I just wanted to move forward with the story.

In this book we see some return characters as well as many new ones. Brennert has the pulse on familial love and creates great characters with considerable dimension. Although this book could easily stand alone, the return characters are rich with history from Moloka’i so I’d encourage reading that first if you have the time.

I found myself talking about things I learned from this book in common conversations. So much to discuss and wrap my head around! Let’s see, there was abandonment, immigrants, trust, family feuds, family love, treatment of the Japanese, life in Hawaii, hard work, adoption, leprosy, guilt, forgiveness, mothers/daughter relationships and so much more. The book painfully portrayed internment camps that left me utterly ashamed about this time in our history.

Overall, a great sequel. This reader would be happy to see one more book about the next generation of this strong and determined family.

Quotes I liked:
People disappointed; animals never did.”

-“Ruth marveled at how two souls— two completely different species— could make each other so happy. If you were kind to animals, they repaid that kindness a thousandfold.”

– “I am secure in the knowledge that I am the mother of your heart,” Etsuko said, smiling. “But she is the mother of your blood. She deserves to see what a fine woman you have become”

– “There might be more to the universe than any one religion could explain.”

– “I’m lucky, you see: I had two mothers. One gave life to me; one raised me. But they both loved me. You know, some people don’t even get that once… There’s only one disadvantage, really, to having two mothers. You know twice the love… but you grieve twice as much.”

The story captured my heart. I loved seeing the developing relationship between the three women - essentially the two halves of Ruth, her Japanese and Hawaiian mothers. This is a beautiful story that takes us to a horrific time in our history, but shows us some beautiful aspects of Japanese and Hawaiian culture. I definitely recommend it. If you haven't read Moloka'i, I think you could still read this book without any confusion, but your experience will be enriched by reading Moloka'i first.
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Though it has been many years since I read "Moloka'i", reading this book was no trouble at all. The details of the first book came back to me immediately, though I wouldn't say that it is necessary to read "Moloka'i" to enjoyed "Daughter of Moloka'i."

Brennert has long been a go-to author to recommend during Reader's Advisory. His "Honolulu" and "Moloka'i" have been hits with my patrons because of his sumptuous writing and sympathetic characters. Brennert is definitely one of the greats when it comes to historical fiction.

Daughter of Moloka'i had some big shoes to fill after reading and loving Moloka'i years ago and sadly, it didn't compare.

At only 300 pages I felt that the book took on too much - leaving me feeling disconnected from Ruth. It took on leprosy, World War 2, Japanese internment camps, relocation, adoption - all interesting and heart breaking but it made the novel feel rushed. I wanted more of Ruth.

That being said, I quite enjoyed the last third of the novel because Rachel (Ruth's mother and main character of Moloka'i) rejoins the story and I remembered my original connection to her 💜

I wouldn't stop you from reading Daughter, but I would recommend you to read Moloka'i because that is the star of the two, in my opinion.

Thank you @netgalley for my eARC version of Daughter of Moloka'i in exchange for my honest review.

The book was neat to read and had wonderful representation for People of Color and Hawaiian Culture. This is a point of view in history that we don't typically see so it was fascinating to see the point of view of our main character, Ruth during such a horrific period of our history. This was original and new and a fresh take in historical fiction. Most historical fiction follows white women who live in france or england so it was interesting to see a book that shares a new narrative for ww2.

In Moloka’i and Daughter of Moloka’i, by Alan Brennart, Moloka’i was the home of a leper colony, way into the last century, long past when I though leprosy was a credible disease. When Hawaiians begin showing the first signs of illness, they’re sent to Mokolai, even if that means taking young children away from their parents. Some parts of the books are a bit hard to read, because of the brutality and harsh laws of the Molokai colony, but it’s an accurate picture. There’s a lot going on in this two novels about the colonization of Hawaii and the disparity between local Hawaiians, Japanese residents, and haole. Daughter of Moloka’i tells the story of Ruth, the healthy baby Rachel has on Molokai, but is forced to give up. The connecting threads of friendship and family love make the two books ultimately uplifting.

This book.
I have never cried so much while reading a book.
Ever.
It never let up. That may sound like a negative, but it was cathartic, man.

This story follows, Ruth, the girl that Rachel was forced to give up just hours after she was born. We start with her in a Home For Girls and follow her all the way through into her adulthood. Moving from Hawaii to California with her adoptive Japanese family, Ruth, lives through some challenging times, including her family's incarceration in a Japanese Interment Camp following the events at Pearl Harbor.

As with other disgraceful pieces of history, this type of atrocious event is not one you find often in modern fiction. I knew these interment camps existed but reading about it from Ruth's perspective was heart-wrenching. To consider the types of injustices that were suffered upon so many innocent people, it was hard. I applaud Brennert for his research efforts which were evident.

I was asked a while back if you had to read the first book in order to read this one. While I believe that you can read this as a stand-alone, your reading experience can only be enhanced by reading Moloka'i first. Add to this the fact that Moloka'i stands strong as one of the most beautiful books I have ever read, I don't think you will be disappointed.

If you like sweeping historical fiction that explores what it means to live and the strength of family, both blood and found, this is a duology you do not want to miss, and while it broke my heart a million times, I am grateful to have read it. Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Also, thank you to Alan Brennert for writing such a remarkable story. I will be thinking about Rachel and Ruth for years to come.

If you read Alan's Brennert's book Moloka'i and were disappointed that you didn't get to learn more about Rachel and Ruth's mother/daughter relationship once they were reunited, this book should be a must read for you. Moloka'i only hinted at what happened to Ruth after she was separated from her parents because they both had leprosy. In Daughter of Moloka'i, readers are transported to Ruth's world. One gets to see her sad, lonely life at the orphanage before she is adopted by a Japanese American family. Rachel's wish for her daughter to have a life of freedom (unlike her life on Moloka'i) was not always possible as Ruth's family was subjected to prejudice both in California and in the Japanese internment camps they were forced to live in during World War II. Ruth's story is full of loss, heartbreak, love, and redemption. I had recently finished Moloka'i before reading this book so I think that's why I appreciated all the rich details of Ruth's life because they helped to fill in all of the holes from the book Moloka'i that were unanswered for me. You could read Daughter of Moloka'i as a stand alone book but I think you'll love it even more if you have the back story that comes from reading Moloka'i. Both books appear to be well researched and bring to light some of the dark sides of America's history in which people were treated unfairly because of their skin or heritage. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. All thoughts expressed in this book are my honest opinions.

This is one of those amazing books that entertains you as well as educates you. The book is full of history and I wanted to keep reading more even though I reached the last page. I loved that this author pulled us into the story with his vivid descriptions and interesting characters. I must admit I haven't read Moloka'i but I will soon because I want to know more about Rachel's mother Ruth and everything she went through.

Although this book is a sequel it can stand alone. Even when describing some of the worst actions that have taken place in history, Brennert never loses sight of the humanity in all of us, even in some of the most reprehensible characters.

An intriguing & emotional journey that follows an orphaned girl through her adoption, move to the mainland, internment in a Japanese camp, & reentrance to American society. So many themes are thoughtful addressed in this novel—the longing for a family, the betrayal of internment, & the reconciliation of birth mother & child. It is well-written & the characters are finely created. An enjoyable read!