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The Color of Air

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"The Color of Air" by Gail Tsukiyama is a beautifully written novel set in Hilo, Hawaii, alternating between the years 1918 and 1935. The story revolves around Daniel Abe, a successful doctor returning home amidst the eruption of Mauna Loa, a threatening volcano. As Daniel reconnects with his past, secrets are unveiled, and the community comes together to face the challenges brought by nature. Through vivid descriptions and a gentle storytelling approach, Tsukiyama weaves a tale of love, pain, and resilience, immersing readers in the lives of the characters and the lush landscapes of Hilo.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, representing a mix of personal struggles and community bonds, with rich backstories.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is lyrical and evocative, capturing the beauty of the Hawaiian setting and the depth of the characters' experiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around Daniel's return to Hilo and his journey of self-discovery amidst personal and natural upheavals.

Setting:

The setting is richly described, capturing the essence of 1930s Hawaii and its cultural landscape.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, focusing on character development and thematic depth rather than fast-paced action.

Notes:

The story is set in Hilo, Hawaii in 1935, during the eruption of Mauna Loa.
Daniel Abe returns home after becoming a successful doctor in Chicago.
The novel explores themes of family, history, and the beauty of nature.
Mama Natua and the Hilo Aunties are beloved characters in the story.
Koji, Daniel's uncle, works on the sugarcane plantations and shares insights into their community.
The book touches on the immigrant experience of Japanese workers in Hawaii.
Characters face grief, secrets, and the impact of a volcanic eruption on their lives.
The narrative involves perspectives from both the present and two decades earlier.
The writing highlights the resilience of the Hawaiian people and their connection to nature.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are themes of grief, loss, and the impact of a natural disaster that may affect some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance, primarily involving the protagonist's past relationship.

From The Publisher:

PARADE's Best Books to Read this Summer

"A rich historical novel that illustrates why connection is more important and more vital than ever." -New York Times bestselling author Lisa See

Daniel Abe, a young doctor in Chicago, is finally coming back to Hawai'i. He has his own reason for returning to his childhood home, but it is not to revisit the past, unlike his Uncle Koji. Koji lives with the memories of Daniel's mother, Mariko, the love of his life, and the scars of a life hard-lived. He can't wait to see Daniel, who he's always thought of as a son, but he knows the time has come to tell him the truth about his mother, and his father. But Daniel's arrival coincides with the awakening of the Mauna Loa volcano, and its dangerous path toward their village stirs both new and long ago passions in their community.

Alternating between past and present-from the day of the volcano eruption in 1935 to decades prior-The Color of Air interweaves the stories of Daniel, Koji, and Mariko to create a rich, vibrant, bittersweet chorus that celebrates their lifelong bond to one other and to their immigrant community. As Mauna Loa threatens their lives and livelihoods, it also unearths long held secrets simmering below the surface that meld past and present, revealing a path forward for them all.

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