Moloka'i

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book about a leper colony on the island of Moloka'i in Hawaii covers a lot: From details about the condition of the disease and its various treatments, to chronicling the history of the leper colony, to the beliefs of the native culture, to the sacrifices of the nuns and doctors who served in self-exile on the island. Brennert also explores what being an outcast of society means, and how the lepers created their own family. I think Brennert does a good job of exploring all these issues without losing the narrative thread, and creates characters that are believable and relatable. There are no easy answers to many of the questions raised--how do you choose between the safety of loved ones and loving those who are infected? does it matter what you look like on the outside? what can you believe in when all hope seems lost? Brennert doesn't offer answers, just allows the reader to watch the scenes unfold as each character tries to grapple with them.

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