The sequel to Brennert's bestseller Moloka'i, this book follows the daughter that Rachel was forced to give up due to her leprosy. Young Ruth was brought to an orphanage for girls in Honolulu, and this book follows her eventual adoption into a loving Japanese family, how they endured during the Second World War, and post-war life when Ruth receives a letter from a woman claiming to be her birth mother.

This is one of those quiet, lovely, wonderfully-written books that just sneaks up on you and you don't realize how invested you are until something horrible happens.

I loved seeing Ruth grow from a stubborn, contrary child who felt alone and betrayed at her orphanage, to the loving and compassionate daughter of a really sweet Japanese couple. I absolutely adored the relationship she had with her adopted parents and brothers, Ralph especially. Brennert has such a great way of weaving relationships together, showing POVs from other characters in a really natural way. We got to understand not only Ruth but also her adopted parents, and their own struggles as Japanese immigrants.

A lot of this novel is about hope and enduring even through the darkest and hardest times of one's life. And this family—Japanese immigrants in general—had to endure a lot of ridiculous laws and terrible racism for the promise of a better life in America.

This book just does such an amazing job navigating the trickiness of ethnicity and identity. It shows the reality of racism from people who see differently coloured skin or shaped eyes, and how people on an individual level suffer as a result of this small-mindedness—how families are torn apart and people die because their entire culture or country was seen as a threat.

It's an beautiful and poignant novel that everyone should read.

I read <i>Moloka'i</i> when it came out in 2004, and really loved it, so I was happily surprised to see a follow-up novel coming out this year. <i>Daughter of Moloka'i</i> follows the daughter (Ruth) that Rachel is forced to give up because of Hansen's Disease. The novel follows Ruth from her time in an orphanage in Hawaii through her life with her adopted family. The scope of the novel is huge--from life in Hawaii and California in the early 20th century to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and its aftermath. At times it feels as though the novel moves too quickly through so many different events with so many different characters, but the characters are engaging and I really liked how fully Brennert shows the relationship between Ruth and her parents. Overall, I really enjoyed spending time with a character that I liked so much in the original <i>Moloka'i</i> and seeing how her life developed beyond her life on the island.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this novel.

I really didn’t think you could get much better than Moloka’i but this sequel adds a whole new level to the original story. I am so glad I read them close together and I loved them both. I am an avid reader of historical fiction and this story took us on past Moloka’I and the leper colony in the early 1900’s, this story takes us into WWII and covers one more dark chapter of our country taking off on an escapade before truly thinking of the consequences of their actions on the people their decisions will affect. I had touched on learning about the Japanese internment camps in Snow Falling on Cedars, but this book gives us an in-depth daily life of these unfortunate people that fell into the war’s hysteria.
The writing is excellent, the storyline is great, and I have no cons on this book. I loved following Ruth and Rachel’s life, the book takes us back a little bit into Moloka’i’s story just to keep you up to speed, but I would highly recommend reading the first one in the series first. Not necessarily because this book can’t stand on its own, just because the two together complement each other and turn this into a beautiful saga. I will not soon forget either one of them. Wonderful, beautiful book!!!
I was given an advanced copy from St. Martin’s Press through Net Galley for my honest review, I would give this one a high 5****’s. Excellent read.

Years ago I read Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson and was staggered upon learning of the internment of American-Japanese residents by the American Government during World War II. This wasn’t taught in the History or Political Science classes that I took in school, once again proving that the victors get to decide how history is fashioned and handed down. Daughter of Moloka’i reawakened the abomination that the American Government visited upon its Japanese residents and citizens. This book made me realize I had shelved that knowledge, once again ignoring the hopelessness, loss, separation and misery that Americans perpetrated upon loyal Japanese citizens.

The Daughter of Moloka’i is about Ruth Utagawa, born to a Hawaiian Mother and Japanese father, both lepers, who were forced to give up their baby within a day or her birth. Ruth grows up in an orphanage and at for the age of three she is able to articulate that she feels Hapa, half of something and never whole. Wanting a family, a real home and being repeatedly rejected by prospective parents she reacts with anger and not surprising this is her fall-back emotion to all the injustices she is forced to endure throughout her life. The forced loss of a mangy dog she named Only, constant belittling by her schoolmates, the theft of a business created by Ruth and her husband, transported on trains with the windows blanked out not for their protection but so white citizens wouldn’t have to view the passengers, being forced to live in abandoned, barely standing, flea ridden stables in the internment camp, Ruth and her family were entitled to their anger. Ruth offers the thought that she understands how the European Jews must feel. With each blow struck against Ruth my heart broke, and I felt Ruth’s anger and Brennert’s writing is that quietly powerful.

I loved everything about Alan Brennert’s previous novels Moloka’i and Honolulu. Heartbreaking, well researched stories with exceptionally fluid writing. Daughter of Moloka’i was equal in prose to Brennert’s previous books, the story being told was equally important. But this book read like two separate books that didn’t completely mesh.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy.

Daughter of Moloka’i (Moloka’i #2) by Alan Brennert

February 2019
Fiction, historical
St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley

I received a digital copy of this ARC from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

Originally published in 2004, Moloka’i (book 1) by Alan Brennert provides a richly detailed history of Rachel Kalama’s life growing up in a leper colony on Moloka’i, Hawai’i during 1891 to 1948. “Kalaupapa had evolved from a “given grave” where the afflicted could only wait for death to a place where people lived as well as died.”

Rachel lived a full, meaningful life on Kalaupapa where she married Kenji Utagawa. In 1918, they made the heart wrenching decision to put their only child up for adoption. Once it was determined that Ruth was not afflicted she was sent to live in Kapi’olani Home, an orphanage.

Daughter of Moloka’i provides a parallel history of Hawai’i from the perspective experienced by Ruth Utagawa during 1891 to 1948. The historical aspects of life during these years is not overlooked. The author provides well-researched information which allows the reader to understand the hardships and devastation of the time. Ruth was adopted by Taizo and Etsuko Watanabe, a Japanese family, with 3 boys desperately wanting a girl to add to their family. She eventually goes on to marry Frank Haradas and have 2 children of her own.

The stories entwine to provide perspectives of family life and loyalty. Although this novel could easily “stand alone” the emotional family history is enhanced with the “complete” story explained in Moloka’i.

I had been anxious to read this novel since Molokai was one of my all time favorite books. I think the descriptive writing in this book is just as wonderful as in his previous novels. First the descriptions of Hawaii were breathtaking and it was hard to believe that anyone would want to leave there.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The story really starts when Ruth a little girl of 8, is living in an orphanage on the islands because her mother was forced to give her up. If you haven’t read the first book you might wonder why, the reason was that she had leprosy. At that time lepers were kept on the separate island of Molokai in an attempt to reduce the spread of the disease, nothing was really known about leprosy then. When a baby was born they were taken into a special home and if they show no signs of disease after one year of age they are put up for adoption.

Little Ruth had almost given up hope of being adopted, she realizes she is different because she has different “eyes” than most of the other kids. She is half Hawaiian and half Japanese. On a wonderful day a Japanese couple arrive and fall in love with Ruth. They have three sons but have always wanted a daughter.

Ruth finally has a home, a real home with love and siblings and her own little space in the flat above her new father’s thriving wood making shop. Her father begins to get letters from his brother in California who would like him and his family to come and share in the ownership of his land, he grows strawberries and grapes. At first her father is uncertain but eventually he moves his family to California. Unfortunately they encounter extreme racism against them and conditions on the land and his brother’s fortune aren’t as they were portrayed.

They begin to farm the land and reap the ever ripening harvest, they are making a go of it and then the unimaginable happens and the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. By this time Ruth is married to Frank and they have two children. FDR issues the order that all Japanese will have to relocated away from the West Coast.

They are “relocated” to what is little more than abandoned army barracks, some are even in the stables. Still they try to make the best of the terrible situation, making some friends and fixing up their small space to feel like home. To learn what happened to the Japanese in the 30’s and 40’s is heartbreaking and I kept wondering why this isn’t in children’s history books, maybe it is now but it wasn’t when my daughters went to school.

The book follows Ruth from age 3 to about 55, the good parts and the sad parts. I don’t want to give away any more of the plot. The author delivers another great character driven novel in which we get to know Ruth’s family.

I must admit that I didn’t feel quite the connection to this story as to Molokai. Perhaps it was because in the first book we learn so much about Hawaii and how leprosy is treated along with the incredible nurses and other help who risked their own lives to work among the lepers. This made such a huge impact on my heart. This book I feel is more about the internment camps and I have read several books about them and so wasn’t that much “surprised” about the conditions, etc.

This is still a wonderful read but I would encourage reading Molokai first because there is a lot of background history to learn about Ruth and all of the lepers and how they overcame their afflictions, tried to help others and live in the moments that they had.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley

Will post to Amazon and BookBub upon publication.

I have not read the prequel. However, as someone of Hawaiian heritage, I was pleased that there was a historical fiction novel of Hawaii. I found the story to be very accurate in terms of history. I loved the story of Rachel and Ruth. It was very emotional and it showed the strength and integrity of the two women. I am interested in reading the prequel so I can get a better grasp of the characters and learn more of the struggles that Rachel went through. I recommend this for fans of Ohana.

Alan Brennert's novel 2003 Moloka'i has a huge fan base and is much beloved among historical fiction readers. Now he continues the story in Daughter of Moloka'i.

In the first novel, we meet Rachel in the Hawaiian leper colony, her infant Ruth placed in a Catholic orphanage to protect her from developing her parent's leprosy. In this new novel, Brennert continues Ruth story as she is adopted by a Japanese couple. They move to California where they come up against anti-Japanese sentiment. The family is caught up in the horror of relocation camps during WWII, suffering a division when a loyalty oath compels the patriarch to make a choice that leads to repatriation. Ruth's story is continued as the family struggles to regain what they have lost. And in the end, Ruth is reunited with her birth mother and learns her heritage. Readers will learn a lot about Hawaiian and Japanese culture and religion.

Brennert does not shy from including gruesome stories of racist injustice, scenes that are far more disturbing than those shared in other recent novels about Manzanar which I have read.

Years ago I read Brennert's novel Honolulu and enjoyed it. I already had Moloka'i on my Kindle and intended to read it before Daughter of Moloka'i but ended up reading only about half of it. Consequently, my emotional involvement in the reunion at the end of the novel was weaker.

Overall, my response to both novels was lacking. I don't know if I was just burned out by too much historical fiction, especially about these events, or if I was burned out by family sagas, or if the prose just didn't work for me. The events covered are certainly intense and relevant. But I didn't really *get into* the characters and often felt there was too much telling and not enough action. Scenes I wished were acted out were only referred to, and other scenes took up too much space.

But that's me, and I am often out of sync with mainstream readers. Because people love these novels and characters.

I can't find fault with Brennert's commitment to using fiction to broaden reader's knowledge of history and the ways the American government has grievously erred--and still errors-- practicing racism that employs unjust and cruel laws. So, kudos to Brennert! And may readers everywhere love these characters and pledge that America's past moral failing not (continue) be perpetrated in the future.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

4

This is a story of Ruth, daughter of leprosy parents who gave her away and later adopted by a Japanese couple, Taizo and Etsuko.

We follow Ruth from her days at a Catholic orphanage to her life at a Japanese internment camp during WW2, till the day she met her birth mother, Rachel.

This is a story of family, love, loss, tragedy, and survival. We watch Ruth as she grew from a child to an adult surrounded by people who loved her and those who shunned her for who she was - a hapa (a person of mixed heritage; she was half Japanese, half Hawaiian).

We'll also witness how Ruth and her family survived a tragic time in history, when the Japanese were not welcomed in the US. It was a test of loyalty and honor for honorable men like Taizo and Jiro (Ruth's uncle). It was also a test of strength and endurance. What would one do to survive? What would one do for their country? In this case, where does their loyalty lie? Whom do they serve?

Life improved when they were finally released from the camp. Despite the loss and tragedy that befell them, they found ways to cope and survive. Bad memories were never far behind but life outside the camp gave them hope.

Life moved on for Ruth and her own family, living their everyday life the Japanese way, until one day, when Ruth's birth mother, Rachel, reached out to her. When they finally met, Ruth was given the chance to learn more about Rachel and her Hawaiian heritage. It was then, that Ruth found herself feeling more complete and the emptiness she felt all along, filled. She finally felt, whole.

I enjoyed this story about love and family and how war can affect one's life and those around them. I loved how well-researched this story was, and that it was rich in history!

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A full review will be posted on my blog and Goodreads, and shared on Twitter and Litsy closer to publication day.

I can't imagine a better ending to the beautiful saga of Rachel Kalama and her life after leaving Moloka'i. Rachel is forced to give up her daughter shortly after she is born, due to the contagious nature of leprosy and the lack of knowledge surrounding how the disease is spread.

Her daughter, Ruth, is brought up in an orphanage until she is 5 years old. Ruth longs for a home, but is constantly stuck between two worlds- being Japanese and being Hawaiian. She is finally adopted by a loving, Japanese family with two sons, and they begin a new life together in California. Life is not always perfect for Ruth and her new family. Shortly after arriving in California, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and Japanese-Americans are rounded up and sent to internment camps.

In a devastatingly beautiful story, we learn more about Ruth and her family's life interned, as well as the road that eventually brings her back to Rachel. I cannot put into words just how much I loved this book.

Overall, I enjoyed reading "Daughter of Molokia'i." I liked the book but the experience was not enough to make me fall in love with it. The historical background on the Japanese immigration to the U.S., their hardship during and after WWII was interesting. There were other historical aspects other than the internment which I enjoyed reading about as well. Other excellent qualities about the book were the likable characters and the well-researched plot. There were few moments drove me in tears; Alan Brennert definitely has the talent to tell a good, positive story. The only complain I had possibly was the plain narration of the live of Dai (or Ruth) between 1917 to 1970. Some chapters were particular interesting but some were less captivating.

"Daughter of Moloka's" is the sequel to "Moloka'i." It could be read as a standalone.

It's a book more a 3.8/5 stars to me. Nothing disappointing about the story. Indeed quite enjoyable throughout yet lack of surprises. I rounded the rating up to 4 stars based on my overall enjoyment.

This story hits so many emotional highs and lows that you almost feel like you've been on a roller coaster. The writing is so descriptive you can see the characters as they move through their lives. This author has invested a lot of time and energy into the story, making it come alive to the reader.
Told by Ruth, the story follows her from birth through life in an orphanage and eventual adoption. Her adopted family are Japanese Americans. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they are forced to live in an encampment. As they try to reclaim their lives, Ruth's birth mother contacts her and the story changes again. How her family develops and changes will keep you reading, hoping for the best.
This is the second book of Molokai, following the developing stories of the families introduced in the first book. You do not have to have read the first book, but the story will be much richer if you have.

A book that will embrace you and make you a better person for having read it.
An infant child is taken at birth from her parents in Hawaii as they are Lepers ,live in a special Colony and can not raise her.
She is given to a Nun to take to the orphanage for the sisters to raise until they can find a family that wants to adopt her.
Eventually after many disappointments,she is adopted by a Japanese family,taken into their home and treated as their very own daughter.
They move to the U.S. The little girl,whom they call Ruth has Many happy yrs.before WWII breaks out and all persons of Japanese descent are ordered to encampments, after Pearl Harbor is attacked by the Japanese.
They suffer thru many inequities in the ensuing yrs.but live through it,to start their lives anew.
Ruth has two children and they finally meet their Hawaiian grandmother,after the war.
The story is richly filled with Japanese as well as Hawaiian culture and a wonderful story it is.
Many landmarks and customs are greatly discussed.
I would recommend this book to many of my friends as I know they will enjoy it too!
A big thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review "Daughter of Molaka'i" by Alan Brennert.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of Daughter of Moloka’i, by Alan Brennert. Years ago, I was enthralled with Moloka’i. I loved the characters, the story, and how the book followed the characters through their entire lives. I was so excited to read about Ruth and what her life was like when she was removed from the leper colony shortly after her birth. What a sad life for the birth mother losing her daughter and not knowing what happened to her. I learned a lot as I followed Ruth’s life and was saddened at how she was relocated and families were torn apart by war, illness, and death. Bringing the birth mother and the adoptive mother together was a heartwarming journey. I loved this book!

Interesting book. I was immediately drawn into the story of a Japanese-Hawaiian adopted girl going to the Mainland with her new family and then facing everything in the early 20th century. This book was profoundly touching and moving, reaching not only the lowest points but the greatest heights. Have tissues handy! I now must go and read the first book in the story. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

It has been fourteen looong years since Molokai hit the reading world, finding fans everywhere. Finally, the sequel has been written and it will satisfy and entrance those of you who loved the first book. Long ago, a young girl was dropped on Molokai, suffering from leprosy, left to survive on her own. Along the way, Rachel found special people who showed her love and courage. In this sequel, we follow her daughter, Ruth, taken from her parents, and ultimately adopted by a Japanese family, eventually moving to California. We see the overt racism during the 1930's and 40's, ultimately leading to the internment of Japanese. I found this to be the most powerful part of the book, detailing the horrors in the camps that quite often are white-washed. Much of it brought up the topical news of today as we see refugees vilified and children locked in cages decades after Executive Order No.9066. Brennert is a master of drawing his readers into his characters and creating a sense of family between his imagined people and his readers. Sometimes, sequels are written to merely take advantage of a 'hit' quickly; this sequel seems to be written because so much more is left to be told. Well done!

An exceptional read! Poetically written and a great sequel to Moloka'i, even though it is not necessary to read the first book.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this fabulous story..

This book was a nice continuation of Moloka'i and I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to read more books by Alan Brennert in the future.

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've read Molokai and was really stricken by the story and the research done by Alan Brennert so I expected this one to be anything less and it surely lived up to my high expectations. I was so intrigued by the relationship between Ruth and Rachel and how Ruth kept her hidden from society because she had leprosy. The one thing I love about historical fiction novels that if the story is so compelling, it brings the historical time period to life and it's easy to imagine. This book has done that and more and I must say by far one of my favorites I have read so far.

We will definitely consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

A very moving account of the history of a Hawaiian and Japanese Americans during the 1900’s. It focuses in particular on children who in an orphanage and were then placed in foster care. It is a touching story of searching for and finding your identity. The author uses historically accurate information on which to base the story. There is still lots of strength and warmth that encourages the reader to put themselves in the place of the characters. It is a striking story.