In 1907, Jack London visited Molokai and wrote an article in a popular magaine of the time called Women's Home Companion. It is still debatable whether his article helped or hurt the cause of the lepers.
What do you think?
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Jack London's surprising account of his visit to Molokai
As mentioned in our book, several authors including Jack London visited Molokai. The main character in our book, Rachel is proud of the book she had signed by him.
The real Jack London wrote this article and took these pictures to describe his visit to the leper colony in 1908. It's a quick read and quite interesting!
The real Jack London wrote this article and took these pictures to describe his visit to the leper colony in 1908. It's a quick read and quite interesting!
The Colony The Harrowing Story of the Exiles of Molokai by John Tayman
This site has several reviews of the book that I've been reading to get up-to-speed for our book discussion. Until I read Molokai, I must confess that about all I knew about leprosy came from the stories in the Bible.
Our book Molokai takes place after Father Damien's stay at the island. He was responsible for bringing medical care and humane treatment to the patients quarantined there.
This book by Tayman, describes in great detail the conditions on Molokai before Father Damien's arrival. Because the medical community was largely ignorant of the cause of leprosy and hadn't yet fully embraced the theory that germs cause illness, the well-meaning doctors tried many experimental and often painful treatments for their leprous patients.
The Hawaiians, on the other hand, still believed that their illnesses were caused by a god or gods whom they had angered, and were more likely to go to their own kahunas (priests) to seek healing than to a white doctor.
The Colony is a well-written and well-researched description of the grim early years at Molokai which preceded our chracters' arrival.
Our book Molokai takes place after Father Damien's stay at the island. He was responsible for bringing medical care and humane treatment to the patients quarantined there.
This book by Tayman, describes in great detail the conditions on Molokai before Father Damien's arrival. Because the medical community was largely ignorant of the cause of leprosy and hadn't yet fully embraced the theory that germs cause illness, the well-meaning doctors tried many experimental and often painful treatments for their leprous patients.
The Hawaiians, on the other hand, still believed that their illnesses were caused by a god or gods whom they had angered, and were more likely to go to their own kahunas (priests) to seek healing than to a white doctor.
The Colony is a well-written and well-researched description of the grim early years at Molokai which preceded our chracters' arrival.
Father Damien and Molokai
Father Damien spent his life working with the lepers on Molokai before succombing to the disease himself at age 49. He has been recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
He is mentioned several times in our book Molokai and as you might have guessed was a controversial figure in his day.
He is mentioned several times in our book Molokai and as you might have guessed was a controversial figure in his day.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
ABC News Story about Molokai
Hawaiian leprosy laws were in effect until 1969 even though a cure for the disease was discovered in 1941. This piece tells the story of the impact of leprosy on one man and his family. Heartbreaking.
Visit Molokai
Brief history of the Hawaiian leper colony includes information about how to visit it today.
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