Bolohead Row

by Chris McKinney, Kaipo Schwab (Reading)

Set in contemporary Hawaii, Bolohead Row tells the story of a family of three siblings, all with different fathers. Raised by their mother, a bar owner in Bolohead Row, Honolulu's red-light district, they each face issues of varying addictions. Charlie, the newly divorced stepson, works a dead-end job in an ABC store and spends nights at his mother's bar singing karaoke. Mark is a shut-in who occupies all of his waking hours playing a computer game called Everquest . Within 24 hours of being out of prison, Winnie, the eldest, has a boyfriend, money, and enough drugs to send her back for life. Dangerous people are searching for her, and Charlie is unwittingly swept into her turmoil. McKinney explores in rich detail the underside of Honolulu's glossy postcard image, where very little separates the good guys from the bad guys.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Chris McKinney is a Korean, Japanese, Scottish American writer born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the author of the Water City trilogy. Book one was named a Best Mystery of 2021 by Publisher's Weekly and a Best Speculative Mystery of 2021 by CrimeReads. All three books received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, and Booklist called book three a "satisfying conclusion to a magnificent trilogy (that) offers a real treat for sf fans." In 2024, Honolulu Magazine named McKinney "Author of the Year" for his Water City trilogy.

Chris has written six other novels: The Tattoo, The Queen of Tears, Bolohead Row, Mililani Mauka, Boi No Good, and Yakudoshi: Age of Calamity.

In 2011, Chris was appointed Visiting Distinguished Writer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Over the years, he has won one Elliot Cades Award and seven Kapalapala Pookela Awards.

He currently resides in Honolulu with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart

[Lia Duhay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Bolohead Row. Reading McKinney's books again made me feel like I was back in Hawaii. Not the tropical paradise of Hawaii, but the real, hardworking and authentic side of Hawaii. At first, I thought this book would be another rendition of his previous book "The Tattoo", but it was still written as it's own. while not straying away from McKinney's admirable and authentic writing style. My only complaint was that I wasn't much of a fan for the ending. However, throughout the book, and I'm being honest, I was on the edge of my seat. The information I had was limited because I felt like i was in the main character's shoes throughout. Reading the bookmade me fearful and on high alert because it was that chaotic and I loved it.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Charlie is an atypical but honest character, and McKinney does him right by keeping him true and not veering off into false heroics. As in The Tattoo, McKinney portrays a side of Hawaii not often seen in books, television, or movies, but one that looks at least bump up against.

[Jon Kim Seu · Rating 5 out of 5]

up there with he Tattoo

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly very good book that captures gritty Oahu -- race, class, work, crime, opportunity, hope? -- in modern times.

[Eric Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy McKinney's work, and of the three novels I've read, this is my favorite by far. When I glanced through the reviews of this novel on this site, I was surprised that so many seemed to think it was depressing. I thought the book ended on an exceptionally positive note. Our hero, who is about as complete a f**k-up as any one who walks the streets of Honolulu, seems to finally realize that he must act, and that is a good resolution for the story. Also, I was delighted to discover the true name for the color of the sky: "original blue." I recommend reading this one first if you haven't read any McKinney. Enjoy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it mean to be Hawaiian today. Discuss.

This book could be a fair response to that question: Although dark and violent, with the usual suspects: drugs (meth) violence, alcoholism, bad sex and dreary karaoke, the journey in this novel is a positive one to a finale lit by a small glimmer of fierce affirmation.

Another key word for discussion: ohana. The step and half siblings, the bar owner mother, the discovery of cousins scattered throughout the narrative. "We are all related. Small island."

True dat.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the second book i read of chris mckinney and cant wait to read the third. i love his writing.for one thing he is a local author, so i understand waht his characters are saying,i know of the places that he writes about. i am there.he gives you the feeling of brutally honest writing,if that makes sense and just in your face this is how it is.i'm not too sure but i wonder how much he writes from his own experiences growing up on oahu..

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as I did reading "Tattoo".

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Chris McKinney other-side-of-paradise novel. This one involves bars, drug addicts, and another messed up family. Kind of depressing.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Tattoo. I felt like the charater in Bolohead Row had more opportunities to make better choices, so I didn't feel sympathy for him.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat down and read it in one afternoon...great easy read!

[Bev Morey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the 3 I've read so far. The first half of the book moved way to slow for me. Read this in an afternoon. Now on to Mililani Mauka.