Hawaii

Hawaii by James A. Michener This epic novel chronicles the formation and development of the Hawaiian Islands from their volcanic birth through the arrival of diverse peoples across centuries. The 937-page work covers millions of years, beginning with geological events and continuing through the mid-1950s. The narrative follows multiple waves of settlers to Hawaii: the ancient Polynesians from Bora Bora, New England missionaries, American merchants, and Asian immigrants seeking new opportunities. Each group's story stands as its own complete episode while contributing to the larger historical tapestry. Based on extensive research and consultation with Hawaiian scholars, the book recreates pivotal moments in Hawaiian history through both real and fictional characters. The story encompasses the transformation of Hawaii from an isolated island kingdom to an American state, examining the cultural exchanges and conflicts that shaped the islands. The novel explores universal themes of cultural identity, assimilation, and the impact of colonialism, presenting Hawaii as a microcosm of human migration and cultural evolution. These elements combine to create a rich historical portrait of one of the world's most unique locations.

Readers appreciate Michener's thorough research and detail in tracing Hawaii's history from geological formation through the 1950s. Many note the book helped them understand Hawaiian culture, missionary influence, and immigration patterns. The multi-generational story structure keeps readers engaged through 1000+ pages. Readers critique the slow pace of the first 100 pages focusing on geology and ocean navigation. Some find the missionary sections preachy and the character development uneven. Several readers mention cultural biases reflecting the book's 1959 publication date. "The geological beginning nearly made me quit, but I'm glad I pushed through" appears in multiple reviews. "Changed how I view Hawaii's history" is another common sentiment. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (43,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) Most negative reviews focus on length and pacing rather than content or historical accuracy.

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• Michener spent seven years researching Hawaii, interviewing over 2,000 people and reading thousands of documents before writing a single page. • The novel sparked controversy in Hawaii for its unflinching portrayal of missionary exploitation and plantation brutality, leading to heated public debates. • Random House initially rejected the 1,000-page manuscript as too long, forcing Michener to find another publisher willing to take the risk. • The book became the first novel to spend over a year atop the New York Times bestseller list, remaining there for 78 weeks. • CBS adapted it into a controversial 1966 miniseries starring Julie Andrews, though many scenes were filmed in California rather than Hawaii.