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The Red Wind
In The Red Wind, Ian MacMillan writes vividly of Hawaiian family life on windward Oahu in postwar Hawaii. The story centers in the poignant irony of Kenika, a haole of unknown parentage and background who adopts the ways of the Hawaiian, becoming a Hawaiian himself and marries into a Hawaiian family. His children, however, move outward into Western American culture. His daughters marry haoles and move to the mainland while his son becomes caught in the drug culture and ultimately loses his Hawaiian identity in homelessness. At the center of the novel is Kenika's learning how to build canoes in the old way, immersing himself in the intricacies of the craft and the religious spirit which attends it. MacMillan takes us into the rich physical and emotional life of his characters in this remarkable novel which transcends four generations and takes us from Hawaii just after World War II to the nineties.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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May 10, 2019
IN BRIEF: A vivid earthy account of a young "haole" outsider who finds his identity and life in post-statehood Hawaii while making traditional outrigger canoes. The saga of his life on the windward side of Oahu is told with true kama'aina veracity and compassion.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "...he saw the prospect of an infinity of choices as a gift. The Red Wind was back on Jerry Cambra's lawn, snoozing with her friends, and even the vague presence he had felt all these years, that undefined set of shapes that seemed to reside everywhere and to watch the outsider they had still yet to judge, now regarded him with affirmative nods."
WHY 5 STARS: This is the third Ian MacMillan book I've read and probably my favorite. It's a tough read if you aren't familiar with the local Hawaiian dialect of pidgin English since large swathes of conversation occur in the best form of written pidgin I've seen. As with all MacMillan books, this story captures real Hawaii. No idealistic nostalgia over the past, no sweeping issues under the historical carpet. All the characters were distinct and so real that I feel like I've met them. Since I live on the windward side, I probably have. Being a haole (Caucasian) transplant himself, MacMillan treats Hawaii's culture and people with unmistakable love and the respect of one who has earned his kama'aina status (non-Hawaiian but one who calls the island home). Highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a book about "real Hawaii" but please see the discretionary note at the end of this review.
READ IF YOU:
- Want an authentic taste of Hawaii in the more modern day
- Appreciate vivid and highly sensory word imagery
- Enjoy stories of screwed up families who (mostly) triumph together in the end
- Anything else by Ian MacMillan
NOTE: Profanity, adult themes including sex and homosexuality, drugs, interpersonal violence, and death. I didn't find any of the above to be included gratuitously and all were dealt with humanity and honesty. Life is messy and this book captures that mess without glamorizing it.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "...he saw the prospect of an infinity of choices as a gift. The Red Wind was back on Jerry Cambra's lawn, snoozing with her friends, and even the vague presence he had felt all these years, that undefined set of shapes that seemed to reside everywhere and to watch the outsider they had still yet to judge, now regarded him with affirmative nods."
WHY 5 STARS: This is the third Ian MacMillan book I've read and probably my favorite. It's a tough read if you aren't familiar with the local Hawaiian dialect of pidgin English since large swathes of conversation occur in the best form of written pidgin I've seen. As with all MacMillan books, this story captures real Hawaii. No idealistic nostalgia over the past, no sweeping issues under the historical carpet. All the characters were distinct and so real that I feel like I've met them. Since I live on the windward side, I probably have. Being a haole (Caucasian) transplant himself, MacMillan treats Hawaii's culture and people with unmistakable love and the respect of one who has earned his kama'aina status (non-Hawaiian but one who calls the island home). Highly recommend to anyone who wants to read a book about "real Hawaii" but please see the discretionary note at the end of this review.
READ IF YOU:
- Want an authentic taste of Hawaii in the more modern day
- Appreciate vivid and highly sensory word imagery
- Enjoy stories of screwed up families who (mostly) triumph together in the end
- Anything else by Ian MacMillan
NOTE: Profanity, adult themes including sex and homosexuality, drugs, interpersonal violence, and death. I didn't find any of the above to be included gratuitously and all were dealt with humanity and honesty. Life is messy and this book captures that mess without glamorizing it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review