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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Historical violence across multiple eras; the suppression of indigenous culture; some deaths
Language
Some
Adult language
Sexual Content
A lot
Explicit sexual content; the Polynesian sections depict indigenous sexuality frankly; later sections include adult relationships throughout
Substance Use
Barely any
Some alcohol in the period settings
Emotional Intensity
Some
The weight of colonialism and cultural erasure across generations
What this book is about
Michener's epic follows the Hawaiian islands from their geological formation through the arrival of Polynesian voyagers, the coming of New England missionaries, the influx of Chinese and Japanese laborers, and the social upheaval of the twentieth century. Each section follows a different wave of settlers over generations, creating an enormous tapestry of colonialism, cultural collision, and eventual accommodation. The novel is notable for its frank depiction of Hawaiian indigenous sexuality and its unflinching account of missionary cultural destruction.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Explicit sexual content in the Polynesian and missionary sections
Historical violence and cultural oppression
Adults only
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