The Descendants

 The Descendants

by Kaui Hart Hemmings

I just went to Kauai on my honeymoon (YAY!) When I returned home, I was so excited to read The Descendants, which is set on both Oahu and Kauai.

Genre: Literary Fiction


Review: "Paradise can go f*** itself," says the narrator of The Descendants as he sits beside his wife in a hospital room. Life continues outside while he counts down the days with his comatose wife and daughter Scottie. In this novel, the back-up parent must learn how to be a parent and compelling moments occur as he gets to know his two daughters, Scottie and Alex. Bizarre, dysfunctional, realistic family drama ensues set across the verdant backdrop of Hawaii. The descriptions of setting and relationships, as well as the growth of the main characters, all make for a satisfying, powerful read. 

 Interesting Fact: At the end, the book mentioned that this book was an extension of her short story "The Minor Wars" which was part of her previously published short story collection, House of Thieves.

Check out the movie trailer: I love reading the book then watching the movie and comparing.