What would you say is the theme for "Moloka'i"? Is there more than one theme? Does the theme or themes correlate with "Daughter of Moloka'i"? I love these books by the way, how you detail the setting and emotions is so raw and beautiful.

Alan Brennert There are, as you suggest, multiple themes in both books, but the one theme common to both is the fear of that which you don't understand. In MOLOKA'I the fear was of leprosy and those who had the disease; the reaction to that fear was isolation at Kalaupapa. In DAUGHTER OF MOLOKA'I the fear is of the Japanese and Japanese-Americans, which led to their internment during World War II. Both groups were dehumanized and demonized; I tried to show how both were made up of people just like everyone else. It's a theme that's sadly relevant today, I'm afraid. Thanks for your question!

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