The colony: the harrowing true story of the exiles of Molokai (2005)

Fascinating! ( )

I had read Molokai by Alan Brennert, and was interested in a nonfiction work on the island, but not too dry. I really enjoyed the way Talman worked in personal histories with the scientific info- especially since I don't have a scientific bent. I learned quite a bit- for example, I didn't know there was a leper hospital in Louisiana also. After reading this, I was more impressed with Molokai and it's historical research and background. ( )

On the surface, this book is about some people, who happened to contract Hansen's disease (leprosy) and how they were taken forcibly from their families and exiled. The deeper story is our human response to physical illness. Leprosy, prior to the 1950's was a terrible, disfiguring and painful disease. Although it is not highly contagious in most forms, the fear surrounding it is both literally and figuratively Biblical. It is both fascinating and disturbing to read about the level of fear and disgust that continues regarding this disease even today when the disease is curable. The chapter that deals with WWII and Japanese internment was interesting. The compassion that the exiles had for the Japanese was very clear in quotes and histories of the time.

I was inspired by the good and brave men and women who gave their lives, including risking contracting Hansen's disease, to serving and helping the exiles of Molokai. I was inspired by the exiles themselves, by their ability to create a new life and by their courage in truly terrible circumstances. I cheered for the few who were brave enough to stand up for what was right, even to the point of losing their jobs. The book is well researched with exhaustive notes and the narrative never lags.

"The more we suffer, the more strength we have. The more suffering, the closer we are to one another. Life is that way. If you haven't suffered, then you don't know what joy is. The others may know something about joy, but those who have gone through hell and high water, I think they feel the joy deeper." resident of Kalaupapa, Molokai ( )

A very interesting read. ( )

Themes: illness, superstition, compassion, love, science
Setting: Molokai, Hawaii 1866-1970s

Leprosy. It's a horrible disease. It makes your extremities fall off. It's horribly contagious. It causes nasty oozing sores that spread germs to everyone you pass by. It's always fatal. And there's still no cure.

Except that none of this is true. Except that is a pretty horrible disease, if not treated. But there is a very effective treatment available. It's not very contagious at all. Only a small portion of the population is susceptible to it in the first place. Even then, only some of them get the worst form. It's more a matter of nerve damage and swelling. And diagnosis is a matter of minutes, so getting started with the right treatment now takes just days.

What a change from the past. This book is all about the bad old days of leprosy, and in the United States, it didn't get worse than in Hawaii. Hawaiians were some of those that for some reason were particularly prone to catching leprosy. And back then, there was no treatment available. They could diagnose it, all right. Then they would pack you up and ship you off, without another word, off to Molokai, the leper colony. Good luck to you.

Incredible story, and it's all true. At least, the author says it's all true. Apparently there's some controversy. But it made for great reading. It was shocking stuff. I couldn't believe how they treated lepers like criminals. It's not a crime to be sick. (Although in this country, I often wonder.) But they were treated like they had done something wrong by getting a disease. I couldn't put it down. 4 stars. ( )