Best historical fiction that I've read in a long time. The story is poignant and the characters so well portrayed. The author's descriptions of leprosy, quarantine, sulfa drugs and internment camps have been very well researched. I highly recommend this book and kudos to the author.

I have enjoyed Alan Brennart’s previous excellent historical novels—Molokai is a particular favorite. The main character of this novel, Ruth, is the daughter of Rachel and Kenji, who were forced by law to give up their child since they both suffered from Hansen’s disease, and lived in the leper colony on the island of Molokai. Their daughter, Ruth, was placed in a Catholic orphanage until she was adopted by a Japanese couple at age 5. We follow Ruth through her happy childhood in Hawaii, and the prejudice the family encounters when they move to California, culminating in their confinement to the Manzanar internment camp. The characters are so vividly portrayed they seem like friends, the plot is compelling, and the wonderful writing and unparalleled historical research combine to make this one of the most moving books I have read in a very long time—highly recommended.

I was a fan of Moloka’i and was happy to see this next chapter in the story, but the text is strong on historical events (Brenert’s decriptions of life in the internment camps is vivid) and the story itself. However, while rightfully focusing on Ruth, Rachel’s daughter, and to a much lesser extent on Rachel, the author gives short shrift to many of their various family members. It is hard to understand some of the rifts and alliances within the groups. At times I thought that there was more emphasis on the bonds between Rachel and animals and her mothers and father than those with her children, for example. Daughter of Moloka’i is a good read that will satisfy many fans of the first novel.

Readers should really read Molokai before reading this, it’s companion. This book tells the story of Ruth, the daughter Rachel was forced to give up and follows her through her adoption, move to California and subsequent relocation to an internment camp during World War II. A beautiful, gut wrenching story that explores Hawaiian and Japanese culture and the capacity to love and forgive