Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
St. Martin's Press (2009), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML: From the bestselling author of the "dazzling historical saga" (The Washington Post), Moloka'i, comes the irresistible story of a young immigrant bride in a ramshackle town that becomes a great modern city "In Korea in those days, newborn girls were not deemed important enough to be graced with formal names, but were instead given nicknames, which often reflected the parents' feelings on the birth of a daughter: I knew a girl named Anger, and another called Pity. As for me, my parents named me Regret." Honolulu is the rich, unforgettable story of a young "picture bride" who journeys to Hawai'i in 1914 in search of a better life. Instead of the affluent young husband and chance at an education that she has been promised, she is quickly married off to a poor, embittered laborer who takes his frustrations out on his new wife. Renaming herself Jin, she makes her own way in this strange land, finding both opportunity and prejudice. With the help of three of her fellow picture brides, Jin prospers along with her adopted city, now growing from a small territorial capital into the great multicultural city it is today. But paradise has its dark side, whether it's the daily struggle for survival in Honolulu's tenements, or a crime that will become the most infamous in the islands' history... With its passionate knowledge of people and places in Hawai'i far off the tourist track, Honolulu is most of all the spellbinding tale of four women in a new world, united by dreams, disappointment, sacrifices, and friendship..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member arjacobson
Honolulu by Alan Brennert (New York, St. Martin’s Press, 2009. 360 pp)
Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, Alan Brennert received a Bachelor’s degree in English from California State University at Long Beach. In addition to novels, Brennert writes short stories, screenplays,
I love Hawai’i
Hawai’i is one of my favorite places. I visited several times during my childhood, and even spent my honeymoon on the secluded tropical paradise of Kauai. Last year, I read and briefly reviewed Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, and absolutely loved it. To review, Moloka’i was a famous leper colony from 1873-1969. I was enamored with the story of people struggling with Hansen’s disease and dealing with the separation from families amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Hawai’ian paradise and culture.
Naturally, I thought Brennert’s next book, Honolulu, would provide another great read. Moreover, I’ve actually been to the city of Honolulu, so I thought I would resonate with its setting more readily. Honolulu is a tale of a Korean “picture bride” (one who is given in long-distance marriage based only on a picture) who escapes to Honolulu in search of a better life, and doesn’t necessarily find it.
The Life of a Korean Picture Bride
As the plot unfolds, Regret (the main character’s given Korean name) encounters physical abuse by her given husband in a rural Hawaiian town on the outskirts of Honolulu. She leaves him—only after a miscarriage from a beating—and travels toward Honolulu. There in the city proper, she settles as a seamstress, meets a new husband, starts a restaurant business, and earns an education.
And, there you have it. That’s the basic plot of the book. It was a dece t read, but I was extremely disappointed having read his previous book Moloka’i. So, in an effort to explain why this book didn’t work as well, here’s a pointed list of what to do when writing historical fiction.
What Not To Do
If your book is entitled “Honolulu” and actually covers the period during the Pearl Harbor bombing, don’t limit the description of the most famous event in the city of Honolulu to a mere single paragraph.
Pick a character that is going through extreme struggle (like Regret did with her husband’s abuse) and stay with it for a while. Sure, an abusive husband is an absolutely terrible thing, so don’t dismiss it to talk about being a seamstress for several hundred pages.
Spend time on the culture where the book is set. There were times that Queen Liliuokalani (the last queen of Hawai’i) was mentioned, but in truth, not much was described in terms of the surroundings, or the culture of the time. Yes, a few traditional Hawaiian words were given their respective etymologies, but that doesn’t constitute a great description of Hawaiian culture.
Small business ventures do not constitute entertaining reading.
If you know how to write historical fiction, like Moloka’i, stick to what works—use the gripping stories of the characters firmly based in a historical context. Wide acclaim for one novel shouldn’t equal lazy writing on the next.
In synopsis, the book was interesting, but I never felt particularly moved as I did with Moloka’i. Therefore, I know that Brennert can do better, as he does write good historical fiction based in the beautiful islands of Hawai’i. If you, like me, find a fondness for Hawai’i—this book can work. Honolulu does provide some historical and cultural background, and gives you a sense of how the islands functioned in the past, but in comparison to his other novels it ultimately failed. I suggest that if you decide to read one of his books, stick to Moloka’i.
Originally posted at wherepenmeetspaper.blogspot.com
Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, Alan Brennert received a Bachelor’s degree in English from California State University at Long Beach. In addition to novels, Brennert writes short stories, screenplays,
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teleplays, and musicals. For his work on L.A. Law, he was awarded an Emmy in 1991. During his career, Brennert has also won a People’s Choice Award and a Nebula Award.I love Hawai’i
Hawai’i is one of my favorite places. I visited several times during my childhood, and even spent my honeymoon on the secluded tropical paradise of Kauai. Last year, I read and briefly reviewed Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, and absolutely loved it. To review, Moloka’i was a famous leper colony from 1873-1969. I was enamored with the story of people struggling with Hansen’s disease and dealing with the separation from families amidst the beautiful backdrop of the Hawai’ian paradise and culture.
Naturally, I thought Brennert’s next book, Honolulu, would provide another great read. Moreover, I’ve actually been to the city of Honolulu, so I thought I would resonate with its setting more readily. Honolulu is a tale of a Korean “picture bride” (one who is given in long-distance marriage based only on a picture) who escapes to Honolulu in search of a better life, and doesn’t necessarily find it.
The Life of a Korean Picture Bride
As the plot unfolds, Regret (the main character’s given Korean name) encounters physical abuse by her given husband in a rural Hawaiian town on the outskirts of Honolulu. She leaves him—only after a miscarriage from a beating—and travels toward Honolulu. There in the city proper, she settles as a seamstress, meets a new husband, starts a restaurant business, and earns an education.
And, there you have it. That’s the basic plot of the book. It was a dece t read, but I was extremely disappointed having read his previous book Moloka’i. So, in an effort to explain why this book didn’t work as well, here’s a pointed list of what to do when writing historical fiction.
What Not To Do
If your book is entitled “Honolulu” and actually covers the period during the Pearl Harbor bombing, don’t limit the description of the most famous event in the city of Honolulu to a mere single paragraph.
Pick a character that is going through extreme struggle (like Regret did with her husband’s abuse) and stay with it for a while. Sure, an abusive husband is an absolutely terrible thing, so don’t dismiss it to talk about being a seamstress for several hundred pages.
Spend time on the culture where the book is set. There were times that Queen Liliuokalani (the last queen of Hawai’i) was mentioned, but in truth, not much was described in terms of the surroundings, or the culture of the time. Yes, a few traditional Hawaiian words were given their respective etymologies, but that doesn’t constitute a great description of Hawaiian culture.
Small business ventures do not constitute entertaining reading.
If you know how to write historical fiction, like Moloka’i, stick to what works—use the gripping stories of the characters firmly based in a historical context. Wide acclaim for one novel shouldn’t equal lazy writing on the next.
In synopsis, the book was interesting, but I never felt particularly moved as I did with Moloka’i. Therefore, I know that Brennert can do better, as he does write good historical fiction based in the beautiful islands of Hawai’i. If you, like me, find a fondness for Hawai’i—this book can work. Honolulu does provide some historical and cultural background, and gives you a sense of how the islands functioned in the past, but in comparison to his other novels it ultimately failed. I suggest that if you decide to read one of his books, stick to Moloka’i.
Originally posted at wherepenmeetspaper.blogspot.com
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LibraryThing member Copperskye
This was an easy book for me to like. Honolulu is the story of a young Korean “picture bride” who travels to Honolulu in the hope of escaping the oppression of early 20th century Korea. Not unexpectedly, her husband is not as promised and life in Hawaii is not, initially, as she had planned. I
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love reading about Hawaii and learning some history along the way. This is a good book to settle in with and enjoy. I would also recommend Brennert's first book about Hawaii, Moloka'i. Show Less
LibraryThing member njmom3
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very quick read and shared a lot of the history of the community along with presenting an enjoyable story.
LibraryThing member eenerd
Really beautiful tale of a young woman who escapes her constrained future in Korea by becoming a "picture bride" to a complete stranger in Hawai'i in 1915. When Regret arrives on the island, it is to a life of hardship she did not expect. But in her newfound country she finds the strength and
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opportunity to decide for herself what kind of life she will live, and sets off on an adventure in which she will make wonderful friends, have happiness, difficulty, sadness and success. Alan Brennert writes beautifully, and makes turn of the century Hawai'i come alive, as well as his many cultured characters. A great, lush read. Show Less
LibraryThing member HELLOKITTYISPRETTY
This was really a beautiful story and a great history lesson. It's inspired me to read more about asian culture and its roots of immigration. A good follow up to Molokai but I think Molokai was a bit better. Thanks for the recommendation Marie! I'm so enjoying this author.
LibraryThing member whitreidtan
Regret is a Korean girl so named to reflect her parents' disappointment that she was not born a boy. She is also not a child who is eager to submit to the life that has been mapped out for her choosing instead to sign on as a picture bride in Hawaii, a place where girls can attend school. Embarking
This tale of Asian immigrants and Hawaiian history is epic in scope. The story sweeps from pineapple plantations to the city of Honolulu in all its grandeur and debauchery in the early and middle years of the twentieth century. There are prostitutes, the detective who inspired the character Charlie Chan, the origins of the Hawaiian shirt, and so much more. And Jin's entirely possible story is woven throughout these historical events as she participates in the events and meets the people involved. The book is peopled with colorful characters but it still takes on difficult topics like discrimination and abuse. Jin is a strong and vibrant character who learns to direct her own life, celebrating the good and enduring the bad.
I enjoyed this one but wasn't wowed by it. In some ways it was a bit stereotypical. I appreciated the history woven into it but the weaving was perhaps not as skillfull and seamless as it could have been or perhaps there was just a little too much of it. The plot galloped along (a good thing when a book is a bit of a chunkster as this one is) and I liked the characters well enough. Those people enchanted by the setting in Hawaii or the exotic idea, and decidedly un-exotic reality, of picture brides will enjoy the storytelling here.
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on a ship with other picture brides, Regret, renamed Jin, quickly realizes that she has exchanged one drudgery-filled existence for another with an abusive, alcoholic gambler of a husband.This tale of Asian immigrants and Hawaiian history is epic in scope. The story sweeps from pineapple plantations to the city of Honolulu in all its grandeur and debauchery in the early and middle years of the twentieth century. There are prostitutes, the detective who inspired the character Charlie Chan, the origins of the Hawaiian shirt, and so much more. And Jin's entirely possible story is woven throughout these historical events as she participates in the events and meets the people involved. The book is peopled with colorful characters but it still takes on difficult topics like discrimination and abuse. Jin is a strong and vibrant character who learns to direct her own life, celebrating the good and enduring the bad.
I enjoyed this one but wasn't wowed by it. In some ways it was a bit stereotypical. I appreciated the history woven into it but the weaving was perhaps not as skillfull and seamless as it could have been or perhaps there was just a little too much of it. The plot galloped along (a good thing when a book is a bit of a chunkster as this one is) and I liked the characters well enough. Those people enchanted by the setting in Hawaii or the exotic idea, and decidedly un-exotic reality, of picture brides will enjoy the storytelling here.
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LibraryThing member Sararush
Honolulu by Alan Brennert starts in Korea where a young girl named Regret (her parents were hoping for a boy) dreams of better her circumstances. Through some scheming Regret manages to get a limited education. But even when schools are accepting girls, Regret's traditional father forbids it. Eager
Brennert deftly builds Jin's story around the historical and cultural events happening first in Korea and then Hawaii. He is able to explore the desolate gender disparities, racial tension, Hawaii's annexation, poverty, etc... while telling a coming if age story with only the occasional slip. There are moments when Jin's stories give way to the Hawaii factoids and the narration mimics a brief history lesson. Jin's saga is lushly descriptive, well constructed, and rendered. It should be a delight to historical fiction fans.
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for something more, Regret re-names herself Jin and lists herself as a picture bride for Korean immigrants in Hawaii. Too the great shame of her family, Jin departs for Hawaii, expecting a rich, handsome husband and a land where the streets are paved with gold and fruit is so plentiful you can just pluck it from the trees. Inevitable disappointment follows and Jin must risk everything she has and defy everything she has been taught to build a life and future for herself.Brennert deftly builds Jin's story around the historical and cultural events happening first in Korea and then Hawaii. He is able to explore the desolate gender disparities, racial tension, Hawaii's annexation, poverty, etc... while telling a coming if age story with only the occasional slip. There are moments when Jin's stories give way to the Hawaii factoids and the narration mimics a brief history lesson. Jin's saga is lushly descriptive, well constructed, and rendered. It should be a delight to historical fiction fans.
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LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Alan Brennert can tell one hell of a story. He writes beautifully and his characters are so well fleshed out that you feel like you really know them and have lived their lives with them. Jin is so complex and strong, human and lovable. She leaves Korea to marry a man she has never met and move to
Please keep writing, I will read your grocery list if you choose to publish it.....
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Hawaii. Her life does not turn out the way she expected, but I was in love with her story. Don't think that this is some "oppressed woman" book, beacause it is not. It is a beautiful story of one woman's life with it's heartbreak and joys laid bare for everyone to read. Please keep writing, I will read your grocery list if you choose to publish it.....
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LibraryThing member amandacb
I rather liked this easy-to-digest novel about a group of brides immigrating from Korea to Hawaii. They meet their soon-to-be arranged husbands in Hawaii; some are surprised, and not in a pleasant way. What follows is a very courageous tale of survival in a time of upheaval in Hawaii itself.
LibraryThing member manintheironicmask
I thoroughly enjoyed Honolulu. It was quite an epic, filled with both hardship and triumph. Although it was almost 500 pages, I read it in only a few days. The years flowed easily and it was easy to sympathize with the character and her picture bride friends. Brennert clearly researched the time
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frame and did an excellent job in portraying the early settlement and struggles of a young Hawaii. Show Less
LibraryThing member lildrafire
Historical fiction has never been my first choice as a genre. Brennert's masterful story tells of a lowly Korean girl's struggles, which are set against the backdrop of the country's occupation by Japanese at the turn of the 20th century. The girl, unfortunately named Regret, decided to escape her
(As submitted to Elle Magazine's Grand Prix 2009)
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predestined fate and travel to the USA as a picture bride. The brutal reality of life for a picture bride is soon revealed to her and her friends. While expecting respect and wealth with new husbands in Hawaii, they instead find poverty and abuse. This story grasped me and didn't let go, convincing me to look at the genre in a new light. The novel was set against famously historical events, with characters developed so brilliantly that they were indistinguishable from the real people portrayed in the novel. The author masterfully intertwines fact and fiction to create something this reader has never experienced before. An exceptional story and a little bit of interesting history lead me to believe that you won't "regret" reading this one. I certainly didn't.(As submitted to Elle Magazine's Grand Prix 2009)
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LibraryThing member Suuze
I truly enjoyed reading this book, though not as much as I did Moloka'i. I bonded more with the main character in that book than I did with Honolulu's 'Regret'. I did admire her pluckiness in all sorts of nasty situations, and her loyalty to friends and family. The narrative winds it's way with
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'Regret', following her from Korea to Hawai'i where she starts life in a new country as a 'picture bride'.I was saddened to read about the treatment of Hawaiian natives by the American corporate leaders who invaded Hawaii. There was no respect for the native people of Hawaii, and it even carried over to immigrants who weren't white and wealthy. It reminded me of the way the Native Americans were discarded when the land they lived on was desired by colonists. Having been to Hawaii quite a few times, I saw some of that disrespect myself, and it disgusted me.This is a book you can read quickly, and won't want to put down once you start. Although my review sounds as if it's a sad book, it really isn't and will leave you with a smile on your face. Show Less
LibraryThing member Smilee306
I just finished Honolulu by Alan Brennert, and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. It was well-written and well-researched while still enticing with great characters and stories. Brennert weaves the lesser-known bits of Hawai'i's early 20th century into a moving story about a Korean girl. I
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stayed up late too many nights because I really wanted to know what would happen to these characters, and I'm still thinking about parts of the book now. I want to purchase this book, and will look for his earlier book about Moloka'i as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member KC9333
Young girl dreams to leave oppressive life in Korea, where girls cannot receive an education. She travels to Hawaii to marry - only to discover her betrothed and Hawaii are not what she expected. The book does a wonderful job of bringing turn of the century Honolulu to life. Racial tensions and
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poverty are examined. We are also reminded that one's choices in life have far reaching consequences. Well Done and not to be missed! Show Less
LibraryThing member punxsygal
In 1914 a young Korean "picture bride" travels to Hawaii with dreams of a better life and getting an education. The reality is different than her dreams. Her husband is abusive. Doing something unheard of in Korea, she seeks a divorce and with the help of her fellow picture brides, moves on with
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her life. The story is heavily steeped in the story of the Asian migration to Honolulu, which at the time was governed by five leading white men. The transition of the city from the small colonial town to the large cosmopolitan city of today was not smooth. The story, a work of fiction, does make reference to some real people and with artistic license borrows the references to the lives of others. This was thoroughly engrossing read--well worth the time spent. Show Less
LibraryThing member suetu
I recently took my first trip to Hawaii. In the weeks leading up to my vacation, (as always) I began looking for the perfect reading material for my trip. I knew I wanted to read something set on Oahu, where I was going. How convenient, then, that Alan Brennert published Honolulu right before my
Honolulu is the story of Regret. That's Regret with a capitol "r," because that is what her birth name means. She is born in the Korean countryside in 1897, and her folks aren't too thrilled to have a daughter, even though they have four sons. It's a cultural thing. Regret's childhood in Korea is interesting. She grows up in a fairly rigid Confucian household, and I was fascinated by this glimpse of a time, place, and rich culture I was completely unfamiliar with. I thought Brennert did an exceptionally good job of exploring the differences in the Korean world view.
Throughout her childhood, the one thing Regret wants more than anything else is an education--a very unrealistic goal. In Korea, she is doomed to a very restricted life spent primarily in the inner rooms of her father's, and eventually her husband's, home. For these reasons, Regret takes a leap of faith and signs up to be the picture bride of a handsome and wealthy Korean gentleman in Hawaii, where the streets are "paved with gold." That last should give you an idea that all in Hawaii is not as advertised, but Regret (or Jin as she rechristens herself) has opened the door to a much larger life than she ever could have imagined.
In the telling of Jin's life story, Brennert does an excellent job of bringing Oahu to life, and exploring the island's culture and history in a fully engaging way. It was so exciting to read about locations in the book, having just visited them in real life! I literally could not have picked a better companion volume for my trip.
But aside from the cool location stuff, I was very caught up in Jin's story. As I began reading, the book that repeatedly came to mind was Memoir of a Geisha. Similarities between the two books are somewhat superficial, but like Geisha, Honolulu was a completely captivating read.
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trip! To be perfectly honest, the description of the story about a Korean "picture bride" didn't sound too interesting. If I hadn't been heading to Honolulu, I would have passed it up. And I would have lost out on reading a lovely novel. Honolulu is the story of Regret. That's Regret with a capitol "r," because that is what her birth name means. She is born in the Korean countryside in 1897, and her folks aren't too thrilled to have a daughter, even though they have four sons. It's a cultural thing. Regret's childhood in Korea is interesting. She grows up in a fairly rigid Confucian household, and I was fascinated by this glimpse of a time, place, and rich culture I was completely unfamiliar with. I thought Brennert did an exceptionally good job of exploring the differences in the Korean world view.
Throughout her childhood, the one thing Regret wants more than anything else is an education--a very unrealistic goal. In Korea, she is doomed to a very restricted life spent primarily in the inner rooms of her father's, and eventually her husband's, home. For these reasons, Regret takes a leap of faith and signs up to be the picture bride of a handsome and wealthy Korean gentleman in Hawaii, where the streets are "paved with gold." That last should give you an idea that all in Hawaii is not as advertised, but Regret (or Jin as she rechristens herself) has opened the door to a much larger life than she ever could have imagined.
In the telling of Jin's life story, Brennert does an excellent job of bringing Oahu to life, and exploring the island's culture and history in a fully engaging way. It was so exciting to read about locations in the book, having just visited them in real life! I literally could not have picked a better companion volume for my trip.
But aside from the cool location stuff, I was very caught up in Jin's story. As I began reading, the book that repeatedly came to mind was Memoir of a Geisha. Similarities between the two books are somewhat superficial, but like Geisha, Honolulu was a completely captivating read.
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LibraryThing member verka6811
I LOVED LOVED Honolulu by Alan Brennert! (I think this book deserves 'loved' in capital letters). I received an advanced reader's copy and put off reading it for a while, and I am so glad I finally did. Honolulu is just one of those books that sucks you in - with its story, characters, great
Honolulu tells the story of Regret , the only girl born to a traditional Korean family. (Korean families valued male children over females, and often gave their daughters names like Sorrow, Regret, etc.) As her name would suggest, Regret feels unwanted; while her brothers attend school, Regret is confined to small room where she learns domestic duties from her mother. Wishing to learn, Regret approaches her father, only to be beat down and berated. As a last resort, Regret secretly offers herself up as a picture bride (equivalent of a mail-order bride), only telling her parents once the match is complete. Disowned by her father, Regret travels to Hawaii to meet the rich, handsome husband promised by the matchmaker.
Stuck in steerage on a ship bound for Hawaii, Regret befriends her fellow picture brides. Upon arrival, the girls are all faced with a similar fate - the rich and handsome men they saw in the photos are really old, unattractive, and mostly poor. One of them catches the ship back to Korea, others are quickly married and carted off in different directions. Regret finds herself as a wife to a plantation worker with drinking and gambling problems, and a foul temper. Nothing she does is ever good enough, and she endures much physical abuse before choosing to leave her husband, and run away to Honolulu. In control of her life for the first time, Regret (now taking the name Jin) finds her way with hard work and the renewed friendships with the other picture brides. Through numerous tests and trials, Jin realizes the strength she never knew she had, and becomes a great immigrant success story.
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writing - and compels you to read just one more chapter, even though it's already 2am.Honolulu tells the story of Regret , the only girl born to a traditional Korean family. (Korean families valued male children over females, and often gave their daughters names like Sorrow, Regret, etc.) As her name would suggest, Regret feels unwanted; while her brothers attend school, Regret is confined to small room where she learns domestic duties from her mother. Wishing to learn, Regret approaches her father, only to be beat down and berated. As a last resort, Regret secretly offers herself up as a picture bride (equivalent of a mail-order bride), only telling her parents once the match is complete. Disowned by her father, Regret travels to Hawaii to meet the rich, handsome husband promised by the matchmaker.
Stuck in steerage on a ship bound for Hawaii, Regret befriends her fellow picture brides. Upon arrival, the girls are all faced with a similar fate - the rich and handsome men they saw in the photos are really old, unattractive, and mostly poor. One of them catches the ship back to Korea, others are quickly married and carted off in different directions. Regret finds herself as a wife to a plantation worker with drinking and gambling problems, and a foul temper. Nothing she does is ever good enough, and she endures much physical abuse before choosing to leave her husband, and run away to Honolulu. In control of her life for the first time, Regret (now taking the name Jin) finds her way with hard work and the renewed friendships with the other picture brides. Through numerous tests and trials, Jin realizes the strength she never knew she had, and becomes a great immigrant success story.
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LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
When I first started reading Honolulu, it really reminded me of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. However, the further I got into it, the more different and lush it became. This is a wonderful historical fiction piece about Korean "picture brides" and life in Hawaii in the early 1900s.
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Brennert's writing brings both Jin and Honolulu to picturesque life making this a must-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Not quite as heart rendering as Molokai but very good all the same. Starts in Korea with Jin raised in an old school household, she wants and education more than anything but girls are not valued for their book smarts. She signs on to be a picture bride and end up in Honolulu. What follows is a
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very good story with plenty of the history as she arrives when American businessman have already deposed the last Hawaiian monarch, though not in the peoples minds. Well written and interesting, Brennert really gets into the culture of the island as well as the politics and struggles of the people. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
Named “Regret” by her parents, this little Korean girl so wanted an education but it was forbidden. As a teenager, though, she managed to get permission to travel to Hawaii as a “picture bride”. Immediately upon arrival, along with four other Korean girls she met on the ship, and now
I really enjoyed this. I not only learned about the life of a picture bride, I learned about Hawaii in the early 20th century, and about Korea and the interactions with Japan that I really knew nothing about. I was impressed with how many real-life people Brennert brought into the story.
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self-named Jin (meaning “Gem”), they married their new husbands before being allowed entry into their new country. Jin’s hope had been that her husband would be able to get her an education in Hawaii, but she was sorely disappointed (to put it mildly), not only with this, but with many other things, as well.I really enjoyed this. I not only learned about the life of a picture bride, I learned about Hawaii in the early 20th century, and about Korea and the interactions with Japan that I really knew nothing about. I was impressed with how many real-life people Brennert brought into the story.
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
3.5***
From the book jacket: The rich, unforgettable story of a young "picture bride" who journeys to Hawai'i in 1914 in search of a better life. Instead of the affluent young husband and chance at an education that she has been promised, she is quickly married off to a poor, embittered laborer who
My reactions:
I loved Brennert’s Molokai’i and wanted to love this one as well. My husband actually read the book a few years ago and thought it was good, but I just had never gotten around to it. A long travel journey prompted me to bring it along and I was glad that I did.
Regret / Jin is a marvelous character. She starts out a shy, subservient girl and grows throughout the novel into a strong woman. Yes, she still fills the traditional role of wife and mother, but she refuses to be held down by societal expectations. She finds a way to succeed and thrive, while still upholding the traditional ways she finds so hard to discard.
I’ve visited Hawaii several times and could picture many of the settings depicted in the novel, despite the vast differences in today’s Honolulu from that of 1914. I was fascinated by the history lesson and the glimpse into life during that time period. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the end, where he comments on the “real-life” May Thompson and how W. Sommerset Maugham used her life experiences in one of his novels.
From the book jacket: The rich, unforgettable story of a young "picture bride" who journeys to Hawai'i in 1914 in search of a better life. Instead of the affluent young husband and chance at an education that she has been promised, she is quickly married off to a poor, embittered laborer who
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takes his frustrations out on his new wife. Renaming herself Jin, she makes her own way in this strange land, finding both opportunity and prejudice. With the help of three of her fellow picture brides, Jin prospers along with her adopted city, now growing from a small territorial capital into the great multicultural city it is today.My reactions:
I loved Brennert’s Molokai’i and wanted to love this one as well. My husband actually read the book a few years ago and thought it was good, but I just had never gotten around to it. A long travel journey prompted me to bring it along and I was glad that I did.
Regret / Jin is a marvelous character. She starts out a shy, subservient girl and grows throughout the novel into a strong woman. Yes, she still fills the traditional role of wife and mother, but she refuses to be held down by societal expectations. She finds a way to succeed and thrive, while still upholding the traditional ways she finds so hard to discard.
I’ve visited Hawaii several times and could picture many of the settings depicted in the novel, despite the vast differences in today’s Honolulu from that of 1914. I was fascinated by the history lesson and the glimpse into life during that time period. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the end, where he comments on the “real-life” May Thompson and how W. Sommerset Maugham used her life experiences in one of his novels.
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LibraryThing member ibkennedy
Interesting and quite moving
LibraryThing member brangwinn
I loved this book as much as I loved Brennert's Molika'i. His ability to capture the experiences of many Honolulu,s early residents through the eyes of one Korean picture bride shows his skill as a writer.
LibraryThing member micahmom2002
Enjoyable story a lot like Memiors of a Giesha. However, I felt I was dragging my heels sometimes because there is a lot of history and language thrown in especially towards the end of the book. At times I felt the plot and characters were written just so the history could be told.
LibraryThing member ggilbride
Very good book, I loved the story of Regret and her traditional (Korean lifestyle). She leaves behind her native country of South Korea and finds comfort in the paradise of Hawaii. Regret arrived as a mail bride in Hawaii with high hopes of a new life. She endures hardship times from working long
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hours in a plantation, as a tailor and as a wife. The book presents rich history of sugar cane and pineapples and the long hours of working on a plantation. Wonderful characters that are intricately woven throughout the book, that form the circle of friends. Show Less
Physical description
368 p.; 9.32 inches
ISBN
0312360401 / 9780312360405