book reviews by bella
By: Isabella Bautista
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Hi guys! Welcome to my book segment where I review some of my favorite reads. Today, I will be reviewing Honolulu by Alan Brennert.
Honolulu is a historical fiction novel that takes place in early 20th Honolulu. Regret, a picture bride, left Korea in hopes to find a husband (and education) in America not being given information about her husband-to-be. She finds herself betrothed to a poor laborer in Honolulu who often takes out his frustrations on her. In this new land, Regret (who now calls herself Jin) struggles through her everyday life facing poverty and prejudice alongside her family and three other befriended picture brides. As she begins to prosper, what will become one of Hawaii’s most infamous crimes occurs, bringing about further discrimination and struggles for her new business. This book, characterized as a “sweeping, epic novel” brings historical Honolulu to life with breathtaking depictions of real events swirled into a lush saga. I deeply recommend this meticulously researched novel to historical fiction lovers such as myself, as well as those interested in the history of Hawaii. |
