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Sharks in the Time of Saviours

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( 21,098 ratings, 3,216 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Sharks in the Time of Saviours by Kawai Strong Washburn is a moving narrative about a Hawaiian family enduring social and economic struggles. Driven by a crisis, their son discoveres a mysterious gift that changes their lives. The story intertwines myth with reality, exploring themes of identity and belonging as the family navigates their evolving destiny.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating story if you're drawn to novels that blend Hawaiian folklore with contemporary issues. This book beautifully explores themes of family, cultural identity, and the quest for belonging through the lens of mystical realism and compelling character development.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a powerful debut novel that delicately blends Hawaiian myth with the broken American dream.

"The next time I went for air you were at the surface, sideways, prone and ragdolling in the mouth of a shark. But the shark was holding you gently, do you understand? It was holding you like you were made of glass, like you were its child."

In 1995 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, seven-year-old Nainoa Flores is saved from drowning by a shiver of sharks. His family, struggling to make ends meet amidst the collapse of the sugar cane industry, hails his rescue as a sign of favour from ancient Hawaiian gods. But as time passes, this hope gives way to economic realities, forcing Nainoa and his siblings to seek salvation across the continental United States, leaving behind home and family.

With stunning physical detail and a profound command of language, Washburn's powerful debut examines what it means to be both of a place, and a stranger in it.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Sharks in the Time of Saviours by Kawai Strong Washburn is generally praised for its blend of Hawaiian mythology with modern-day challenges, capturing the struggles of a family dealing with economic hardship and supernatural elements. Critics often highlight Washburn's lyrical prose and the book's exploration of themes such as cultural identity, family bonds, and the complexities of fate. The novel is noted for its vivid portrayal of Hawaiian life and the seamless integration of magical realism.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143796602

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 March 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hamish Hamilton

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 580g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Kawai Strong Washburn was born and raised on the Hamakua coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. His work has appeared in The Best American Non-required Reading, McSweeney's and Mid-American Review, among others. He was selected as a 2015 Tin House Summer Scholar and 2015 Bread Loaf work-study scholar. He lives with his wife and daughter in the Bay Area of California. This is his first novel.

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