Hula | Litsy

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

pick

The story of 3 generations of indigenous Hawai‘ian women, & the legacy of colonization, familial trauma, & secrets.

Such a powerful story. The real history of the overthrow of the Hawai‘ian govt & societal violence forced upon the indigenous population is masterfully woven w/ a story about coming to terms w/ legacy & future, while also paying homage to the beautiful tradition of hula dance. POV & phonetic accents takes getting used to.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 1w

BookmarkTavern General warning for colonialism, racism; specific warnings for Verse I, Chapter 12, car crash; Verse II, Chapter 5, miscarriage; Verse II, chapter 9, domestic violence 1w

87 likes2 stack adds2 comments

Sarahreadstoomuch

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

pick

I‘m glad I chose to listen to this book to start,as it includes native Hawaiian languages, and listening to it is beautiful. Emotional story across 3 generations of Hawaiian women.. their history, the community and culture, the history of the land, and so much more. I got a little tripped up when there was a change in POV or time period, but overall I really got into this book.

BookmarkTavern I‘m listening to this one right now! 2w

Sarahreadstoomuch @BookmarkTavern awesome!! I hope you like it too👍 2w

23 likes1 stack add2 comments

ChaoticMissAdventures

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

pick

This is perfect for AAPI history month. If you are not familiar with the Hawaiian language I would recommend the audiobook. I am so alternated between audio and physical. It is the story of 3 generations I loved how Hakes explains the history and trauma of Hawai'i and weaves it with Hi'i story. An excellent book to really understand the islands from a native perspective.
4.25⭐

peanutnine I own this audiobook! I need to read it. Sounds great! 2mo

41 likes1 stack add1 comment

ChaoticMissAdventures

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

#WeeklyForecast
Must finish Some Desperate Glory, it is due back this weekend. I am enjoying Dark Maestro and it comes out tomorrow! (Not doing great with arcs). I want to read a bunch of Patricia Highsmith this year so hitting up Deep Waters, still chipping away at Beautyland. Audiobook is Hula (tagged) for AAPI month.

37 likes

Jolynne

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

pick

Hula, a spiritual, deep, emotional way of life. Not the touristy dance we all think of. What a wonderful novel focused on women, mothers, and family. This novel that spans years and generations gives you a glimpse into the true history, politics, and culture of Hawaii. The colonization, the crooked annexation and a way of life of a people fighting and struggling to keep what is theirs.

9 likes1 stack add

Christine

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

pick

I loved this gorgeously written family story that considers the complexities of Hawaiian history/culture/identity and the significance of hula to all of that. Beautiful audio narration, too. (A note for the #CampLitsy23 crew: I didn‘t read any reviews/info about the author until finishing. Turns out that some of the social media dialogue around this book connects to themes we were discussing re: Yellowface in really interesting ways…)

Megabooks Really?? I‘ve read this but didn‘t know that. Thanks for the heads up. 2y

Christine @megabooks - Yeah. Seems like Hakes grew up in Hilo and has a mixed ethnic heritage including AAPI but not Native Hawaiian, and some feel that the marketing intentionally obscured that. Her website is VERY upfront about her background, and of course the story is a lot about living in that community without NH blood. But it's all interesting to me and def. had me thinking again about how I make name-based assumptions! 2y

Megabooks I can see that being a problem. Just from reading other info about Hawaii, it seems there‘s been such an intermixing of ethnicities over the past few hundred years because of imperialism that teasing out 100% native people is as hard. Imperialism has just been such a massive force globally and had microcosmic effects in local communities too. If she‘s being up front it sucks that her team did her a disservice. (edited) 2y

Christine @megabooks Sigh, all too true re: imperialism, and I did appreciate how this book brought up so many of those issues. I've seen none of the press/marketing, so I'm curious how misleading it was. All I know is that I assumed she was Native Hawaiian bc of her middle/second name, and even after hearing her discuss in the author's note at the end that she was no authority on hula, etc. I still assumed she was Native. Checking my own biases! 2y

59 likes2 stack adds4 comments

MaggieCarr

Hula: A Novel | Jasmin Iolani Hakes

so-so

Extremely long in parts but does come together in the end but without a conclusive HEA, like in real life there isn't always an ending. Started as a book then quickly moved to audio + book due to the Hawaiian words throughout.

31 likes