45 pages • 1 hour read •
Sharks In The Time Of Saviors
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Book Brief
388
Novel • Fiction
Hawaii • 1990s
2020
MCD
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn, the Flores family from Hawaii places their hope in their youngest son, Nainoa, who possesses imperfect healing powers, leading to family dynamics marked by high expectations, sibling rivalry, and cultural conflicts as each member pursues their path amid Nainoa's struggles with his burden. The book includes themes of depression and substance use.
Mysterious
Emotional
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
22,028 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn has garnered praise for its lyrical prose and deep exploration of Hawaiian culture and mythology. Readers appreciate its rich, multi-generational narrative and well-developed characters. However, some find the plot meanders and the magical realism elements inconsistent. Overall, it's a compelling debut.
Who Should Read Sharks In The Time Of Saviors?
Readers who would enjoy Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn appreciate poignant family sagas with mystical elements. This novel is ideal for fans of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, as it blends magical realism with deep emotional resonance.
22,028 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Malia Flores
Malia Flores
A spiritually inclined mother who deeply respects Hawaiian legends and believes in the significance of her son Nainoa's gifts.
Augie Flores
Augie Flores
A former college football player and joke-telling father, who struggles with providing for his family and later becomes a more introspective figure.
Kaui Flores
Kaui Flores
The practical and ambitious daughter who pursues an engineering degree in San Diego and has a talent for climbing and dancing.
Dean Flores
Dean Flores
The athletic older brother with a focus on a basketball career, who demonstrates deep loyalty and unselfishness despite his tough exterior and temper.
Sharks In The Time Of Saviors is Kawai Strong Washburn's debut novel that beautifully blends elements of Hawaiian mythology with contemporary family life.
The book was longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, marking it as a distinguished work in the literary world shortly after its release.
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Kawai Strong Washburn's novel is praised for its vivid portrayal of Hawaii, capturing both its natural beauty and the socio-economic challenges faced by its communities.
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388
Novel • Fiction
Hawaii • 1990s
2020
MCD
Adult
18+ years
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