I don't usually recommend books I haven't read yet unless they're (a) by one of my favorite writers or (b) by one of my closest friends. Alan Brennert's new novel, Moloka'i, qualifies on both counts. Alan is a superb author of books, screenplays and plays and a helluva good guy, so I can't imagine not enjoying this effort, which I will read as soon as I get the chance to do so. Publishers Weekly describes it as, and I quote: "Compellingly original…poignant…Brennert's compassion makes Rachel a memorable character, and his smooth storytelling vividly brings 20th century Hawaii to life…a touching, lovely account of a woman's journey as she rises above the limitations of a devastating illness."
If that sounds good, you can order a copy from Amazon by clicking here or, if you're on the West Coast (extending as far west as Oahu), rush to one of Alan's bookstore signings. The whole list of them is available here. Or just go to any book shop and tell them you want the one that looks like Don Ho's undershorts.