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Michael's Reviews > Hawaii
Hawaii
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Reading this was a monumental task: I started it on the plane to Hawaii in mid August and finished it on October 1st!!I nearly didn't make it through the first chapter about the formation of the islands, but I'm glad I persevered. Michener takes us from Tahiti (Bora Bora) to the arrival of the missionaries, the Chinese, and the Japanese. There are a number of marvelous characters (Char Nyuk Tsin is my favorite) and set pieces. Michener is especially good at moments of high tension, which are amplified by his rather laconic, understated style. I was particularly moved by his descriptions of the four Sakagawa brothers at war. There are many scenes and relationships between characters that will remain with me: the throwing of the "god" into the sea by the Bora Borans, the voyage of the missionaries round the Cape, the death of Malama, Abner Hale's relationship with Jerusha, and Kee Mun Ki's with Char Nyuk Tsin; the leper colony at Molokai, "Wild Whip" Hoxworth and the growing of pineapples on Kauai, the picture brides from Japan and the "swap" between Kamejiro and Ishii... So much good stuff. His commentary on the coexistence/rivalry between the ethnic groups in Hawaii was also profound. I was a little disappointed in the ending, when the identity of the narrator was revealed... but all in all it was a great (though long) read and well worth the 6-plus weeks of my life
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Hawaii.
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Reading Progress
August 31, 2008
– Shelved
Started Reading
October 1, 2008
–
Finished Reading
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I agree the book does get boring at times (the formation of the islands, Abner's introduction, etc), but it is a classic and I plan on sticking to it.
If it very to be published today, it would probably be published as a trilogy. As said, very long and very worth it.
I read James Michener's Hawaii in preparation for my first trip to the islands in November 2011. Formidable because of its length, I was nevertheless captivated and loved every part of it - including the description of formation of the islands which I thought set the mood well. Biggest disappointment? - the ending when the narrator's identity was revealed. But still one of the best reads I've had in years (phew!).
I took this book along a trip to Europe to help pass the time on the long flights. Yes, there is alot of repetition, but that helps me remember history. I had to take the point of view tongue in cheek..given my Chinese background. Learning a lot (ashamed face for not knowing more about the state before I started reading it). After visiting Ireland with this book, I am going to try Rutherford's, The Princes of Ireland. I had read Ireland by Delaney for a starter. But, I think a longer tome like Rutherford or the Michener wordy style helps recall of historical information.
Same . I considered it a monumental task to finish , so I used the audiobook to help me through it ( read 100 pages or so solo , then read along with the audiobook to get me out of the reading slump ) .Then do more pages solo . . .
You did well ! Looks like all 1033 pages took you about 6 weeks to complete .
I am reading it right now and it will probably take me a few weeks longer .
It is good to know that Hawaii is still being read. I had to re-read it when we started going to the Islands, and still vividly remember James' depiction of Leprosy. He made it so much more human than I had ever thought of it before.