Sharks in the Time of Saviors - Kawai Strong Washburn --------------------- 4.5 Stars

Released a few years ago, I've been a bit skeptical about reading Sharks in the Time of Saviors, though it received high praise from my sister. I think there were two things slowing me down. The first is the emphasis in previewing the book about 'magical realism,' as that's been an area of fiction I tend to not enjoy as much and not be drawn to. Also, the book is based in Hawaii and the place of Hawaii is basically a full character on its own. This made me both interested and skeptical. With Hawaii being such an integral part of my youth, I often fear authors (or others) will not represent it fully and respectfully.  Well, as you can see from my strong rating, I am happy I finally was able to pick this up and get through and could not be more pleased.

Quick background - the book is about a family of five living on the Big Island and their lives growing up in Hawaii and beyond. With three children, the novel weaves each person's tale through a different lens via chapters that are first person accounts from each family member. As noted above, there are some supernatural elements that play a part in the story.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this book. I found it gripping and thought the story really picked up in the final half of the novel. While my skepticism remained for much of the book that it would be overly focused on the supernatural or unreal, I was pleasantly surprised, that while a core element, it didn't have an inordinate focus. In fact, I felt it was quite the opposite. As the author described in an interview, the Hawaiian gods/goddess are a core part of daily life in the islands, and I remember learning about Pele and others growing up. And, I didn't find these religious connections to be separate from daily life and culture. Instead, I think the way the author used the supernatural fit perfectly into my memories of that while in Hawaii.

Other reasons the book is good - it's a really fascinating story and written in a very accessible way. Besides being able to easily relate to the characters (I too spent my formative years on the islands), the experience of the families children going to the mainland and experiencing how different it was from Hawaii also resonated. Of course, there was a notable difference; the characters in the book are 'local' while I'm 'haole,' which, of course, leads to very different experiences. 

It's hard to find many flaws with this novel. Perhaps it was a bit slow in certain parts and the writing was overly individualized (i.e. because each character literally had a different voice, the flow sometimes was inconsistent). I suppose you could also pick nits that one of the main characters doesn't have a voice for much of the book and that gap makes the story read differently.

I strongly recommend this book, whether you are from Hawaii, have visited Hawaii, or simply heard of Hawaii. The story is an easy, modern read that has themes and conflict that should resonate with most people. Of course, there are parts that were even more special for me, and I am so appreciative I was able to read this story and this book exists. 

Rabbit, Run - John Updike ------------------- 1.5 Stars

Rabbit, Run has been on my "to read" list for a very long time. Released in 1960, this book made Updike quite famous and is regarded as a "brilliant and poignant" piece of writing. Well, clearly not in my opinion. Though, I should give credit before bashing this book too much. Updike is a super writer and often I felt like I was reading poetry rather a novel (which may also be part of why I disliked it so much). And while I am about to critique the book below, I do acknowledge that it was written over 60 years ago so some of themes and challenges the main character was going through (and the massive amount of privilege he didn't even realize he enjoyed) perhaps were more timely back in 1960.

Short synopsis (from Amazon b/c it's just easier) - "Its hero is Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, a onetime high-school basketball star who on an impulse deserts his wife and son. He is twenty-six years old, a man-child caught in a struggle between instinct and thought, self and society, sexual gratification and family duty—even, in a sense, human hard-heartedness and divine Grace."

Even this synopsis bothers me. "Hero" - wow, I would certainly not consider this character a hero (and bet most you don't either based even on the short description above). He's actually an incredibly unlikable person; and unfortunately, nearly the whole novel is about him. Perhaps it was because I just read Razorblade Tears which couldn't have been more different. Written last year (and, admittedly, more violent), this book takes on modern challenges - like race, sexuality, socio-economic conflicts, etc. with so much relevance (at least to me) than any parts or Rabbit, Run. And, perhaps, way more important, again, at least to me - that book was super enjoyable to read!  Unlike this book, which I felt like I had to get through in case of, perhaps, a great ending (spoiler alert - also terrible!).

I was actually so conflicted after finishing this book and went to the internet to learn more. Was I really this off? How does this book have 4 stars on Amazon and is so well known?  I actually found two separate articles that helped me better resolve my misunderstanding.

First, is this book review that explains some of the legitimate (again, at least for me), why this book is well regarded. 

Second, is this Guardian article that made me so pleased to find and read as it helped to elucidate my thinking after finishing the book. While this article especially focuses on the implicit misogyny throughout the novel, I am sure there are plenty of other viewpoints that could be found throughout the internet questioning a variety of dated themes of this novel.

Ultimately I leave it up to others to decide. I am sure this book is taught in many college classrooms across the country to learn more about the beauty of writing: I just really worry about what other lessons it may be teaching too.