Moloka’i by Alan Brennert

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What do you know about leprosy?

If you’re like me, practically nothing.

But after reading Moloka’i by Alan Brennert (what I’d probably call historical fiction), I know much more about the disease.

Moloka’i is the Hawaiian island where lepers are sent once diagnosed in the 1900s.

I really enjoyed the story of Rachel, a spunky girl who is diagnosed with leprosy and sent away to live in quarantine on the island.  Plus, the cover of the book is beautiful.

I loved the historical aspects of the book, the real information about quarantine, and Rachel.  I like how, while leprosy was a big part of Rachel’s life, it was also just a part, and that Rachel was so much more than her disease.

But I was kind of sad as Rachel grew up.  I did like her as an adult, but I liked her so much more as that child who loves to break all the rules.  I guess I wish the book focused more on her life as a child, and less as an adult.

I did some research on the disease, too, and I’m glad to know that “leper colonies” are unnecessary now and that leprosy is treatable and maintainable with the proper treatments.

Does this sound like a book you’d be interested in?

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19 thoughts on “Moloka’i by Alan Brennert”

  1. This was a pretty good book. I don’t think it took my breath away or anything, but I did like Rachel and her story, and I read it in about a day, so that was good 🙂

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    • Yes it is gorgeous! I’ve never been to Hawaii but my husband went sometime in college with a friend. Random trip, but he apparently enjoyed the Hooters in Hawaii. Seriously, he kept the picture of him and his friend and some Hooters Hawaii girls for years!

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  8. Interesting reivew, Rebecca. Leprosy is as old as the universe, I dare say. And over here, we have a lepers colony or camp or whatever where lepers are sent. The place is run by the government with a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell as the life patron. He is doing such a marvelous job with the lepers with the care, love and support he offers them. It is disheartening to say that funds made available for the running of the camp is woefully inadequate with Fr. Campbell always getting support from NGOs.

    We as a people also are afraid of the disease and we actually think it is a curse; as such we hardly acknowledge the lepers and once they are sent to the camps, they are neglected by families who hardly visit them. It’s really a sad situation. These days however, there is much education by Fr. Campbell and others and there is a slight improvement.

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    • Honestly, that is so much like the book! I have researched more on leprosy and how lepers are treated in the US, but not enough to be really educated on it. However, it is clear that the camps aren’t necessary anymore. It’s interesting that you still have them where you are from, though. I wonder how well the book would be received and enjoyed over by you, just because you have a completely different context for it.

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  9. Great review! I absolutely LOVED this book. Probably one of my favorite books! Perhaps I loved it so much because I read it while vacationing in Hawaii 🙂 Did a review of it for my blog too.

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