This is the sequel to Moloka'i. It tells the story of Rachel's daughter, Ruth. At a year old, Ruth was taken from Kalaupapa to the Kapi'olani Home for Girls. At a young age, she was adopted by a Japanese couple. Their family left Hawaii and moved to California's farmland. When WWII struck, the family was interned at the Manzanar Relocation Camp. Years later, Ruth receives a letter from a woman claiming to be her birth mother.

This book had some of the same problems that Moloka'i had. The characters seemed detached and superficial. I never felt like I knew who the characters were. Relationships with secondary characters also seemed superficial. Time also moved quickly in this book, skipping through what may have been important moments. Overall, not a bad book, but not something I would reread or recommend.

I am a huge fan of Alan Brennert. Having read Moloka'i I jumped at the chance to read Daughter of Moloka'i. I was not disappointed. Ruth is the daughter of Rachael and Kenji who we read about in Moloka'i. We watch Ruth grow up and her experience of being Japanese during WWII. The author does an amazing job in making you feel that you are right there in that period of history. You will fall in love with the characters. Their joy becomes your joy and their sorrow yours. I do not want to say to much of what happens in this book. I would rather the reader find out for themselves all the events that take place, just as I did. You will not regret picking this book, I highly recommend this book.

Ruth's story is vivid and poignant. Her mother Rachel was quarantined with Hansens disease on Moloka'i and was forced to give up her child hours after birth. Ruth spent her early years in an orphanage and was adopted by a Japanese-American family at the age of five. After moving from Hawaii to California, Ruth and her family endured anti-Japanese prejudice and hatred for years, which came to a head after Pearl Harbor. A good portion of the book is set during their unjust internment at Manzanar Relocation Camp during World War II. Dauther of Moloka'i expands upon Ruth and Rachel’s 22-year relationship, only hinted at in the first book about Rachel. Although this book works as a stand-alone novel, those who have read Moloka'i will be especially appreciative of Ruth's story. Highly recommended.

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