February Meeting - Molokai by Alan Brennert

Thanks to everyone who made it to our February Meeting to discuss Molokai by Alan Brennert.

Book Selection - I do most of my reading on Kindle these days, Kindle often provides suggestions based on previous reads. Molokai was one suggestion and it seemed to have good reviews, so I thought I'd give it a go. Additionally, I know very little about Leprosy and how those afflicted were segregated at the time, so thought I might learn something along the way.

Meeting Wrap up  - Almost everyone enjoyed reading this book, barring Tamara who found it too sad to call it enjoyable, despite the quality of the novel. Most enjoyed the use of Hawaiian terminology throughout the book and found it added to the narrative and wasn't too distracting (as we have sometimes found in other books). It was generally agreed that the setting was integral to the story and all felt that the novel wouldn't have worked as well elsewhere, the mainland for example.
Most were deeply saddened for Rachel and how she must have felt being separated from her family at such a young age and conflicted as to how we would have behaved in the same situation, given the perceived communicability of Leprosy at that time. Overall a positive read, the narrative of a lifetime (albeit a sad one) managing to hold our interest for the length of the book.

Pithy Comments & Ratings

Average Rating 7/10

Tamara Exposing a tragic past 4/10

Meaghan Total tragedy to unexpected uplift 8.5/10
Georgia Good example of the power of resilience and community8/10
Ann-Marie Strength of the Human spirit 8/10
Colleen The inhumanity of the medical profession 6/10
Mel Really enjoyed it - The strength of one woman 9/10
Trilby Lovely fictional version of a hideous non-fiction event 7/10
Irene Overtly focused on pivotal moments in an otherwise luscious piece of literature 7/10
Tahnee  A sad truth 7.5/10
Beck  First meeting - Welcome

Housekeeping

This months book is 'The People of the Book' by Geraldine Brooks to be discussed at Georgia's.

Aprils book (Kaye's selection) will be hosted at Colleens. Kaye will still post questions and chair the meeting after returning from holiday that day. Book to be announced at next meeting so you don't all read ahead and forget about it by the time the meeting comes around.

We welcomed 'Beck' to her first Book Club meeting and I think we were all relatively well behaved, so she may return.

Mel questioned whether a further breakdown in scoring might be considered i.e. 8.75/10. Much robust discussion ensued with no resolution.

'till March, happy reading : )