Aloha vacation reading!

Ahh, there is nothing better than reading something entirely pleasurable beside a beach or a pool. In celebration of an anniversary milestone, my husband and I took off for a week to sunny Hawaii. The plan was to do nothing except surf, snorkle and read. Total bliss. This is where I started:

Title: Honolulu
Author: Alan Brennert
My start date: 9/13/10
My finish date: 9/15/10
Book count: 50/100

I am the kind of person who likes to read books about a place while in that place. So, although I had seen Brennert's books much earlier, I had saved them until I could enjoy them in the appropriate place. This was wonderful! Brennert, although a mainland resident, considers himself to be an honorary Hawaiian. He has a true passion and a wealth of knowledge, both current and historical, about his adopted paradise. This is very evident in his writing. I actually read both of his novels and will discuss the other next, but some things apply equally to both.

As I have previously discussed, it is very difficult for writers to write in the voice of characters who are not like themselves. For example, it is not always convincing when a man writes a woman or vice versa. Similarly, it can often border on unbelievable when someone tries to write from a very different cultural perspective. Not always, but often. Brennert manages to shatter both of these restrictions. His main character, written here in the first person, is a Korean female from the turn of the century who journeys to Hawaii as a picture bride. Is there anything in that which would indicate that an adult male caucasian from mainland USA should theoretically be able to write from experience? I would think not so much. However, I didn't doubt his character's voice for a single second. She was beautifully written. In fact, each of his characters came to vivid life in his pages. Truly well done.

Speaking of vivid, Brennert creates a picture of Honolulu that comes straight to life. You feel as if you could climb right into the story. Now, granted, I actually really could. It was seriously fun to read about streets and sights when I could look out my hotel window directly at them. That may have helped my reading, in fact, it likely did. However, I would deny that it detracts any from Brennert's ability to create a scene. Try it. Read these books and tell me you don't feel the sunshine and smell the pineapples. Go ahead.

Overall, I would say this book is a definite must read, whichever beach you are on, but if you are lucky enough to get a little aloha time, don't board the plane without it.

Stay tuned for thoughts on his other novel next!
Keep Reading!
Sarah