reviewing Moloka'i

i recently finished {finally!} the book moloka'i that i have been reading since march. it really was a charming read and i'm sure i would have finished it much sooner had i had adequate time to devote to reading earlier. anyway. the book follows the life of rachel kalama starting at the end of the nineteenth century when, as five year old girl, she contracts leprosy. she loses everything she holds dear as she is sent away to Kaluapapa on the hawaiian island of moloka'i. she finds though as time goes on and she is softened by a realization that she must accept her new life, that there can still be happiness and joy. she doesn't escape tremendous amounts of loss and hurt though as she watches all her friends and new family succomb to the ravenges of the disease that separates them from the rest of the world. it's beautifully written and i recommend it to anyone looking for a new perspective on their own lives. the copy i bought also had a group reader guide at the back which i assume would be perfect for using as a book club read.