Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
Unfamiliar Fishes starts with the author explaining she's in Hawaii sitting under a Banyan tree eating a plate lunch of macaroni salad and chicken. These are all things that have come from somewhere else and are non native to the islands, including herself. It's a metaphor for the kind of history lesson she's about to tell.
Christian missionaries from New England are on their way to Hawaii to convert and civilize the natives. The journey is long and tedious and upon arrival in the harbor they are not allowed to get off what has become their floating prison. Or vomitorium as Ms. Vowell calls it.
The business of changing the natives is no easy task. The clash of cultures runs from a simple thing as outlawing the hula all the way to stopping the incestuous relationships of the Hawaiian royalty. The cast of characters changes over time but always include a fair amount of tricksters and shysters. And their desire to make the islands just like home never wavers.
I love Sarah Vowell and her funny quirky way of explaining history. Her research is impeccable and her ability to apply historical events to the modern day taught me a lot. All while giving me a good laugh! This is fascinating stuff. I learned so much that now I'm itching to go back to Hawaii. I won't be lounging on a beach when I get there, I'll be exploring all the historical spots and museums, using Unfamiliar Fishes as my guidebook. Oh and I'll be having a plate lunch followed by a shave ice sitting under a Banyan tree.
Unfamiliar Fishes starts with the author explaining she's in Hawaii sitting under a Banyan tree eating a plate lunch of macaroni salad and chicken. These are all things that have come from somewhere else and are non native to the islands, including herself. It's a metaphor for the kind of history lesson she's about to tell.
Christian missionaries from New England are on their way to Hawaii to convert and civilize the natives. The journey is long and tedious and upon arrival in the harbor they are not allowed to get off what has become their floating prison. Or vomitorium as Ms. Vowell calls it.
The business of changing the natives is no easy task. The clash of cultures runs from a simple thing as outlawing the hula all the way to stopping the incestuous relationships of the Hawaiian royalty. The cast of characters changes over time but always include a fair amount of tricksters and shysters. And their desire to make the islands just like home never wavers.
I love Sarah Vowell and her funny quirky way of explaining history. Her research is impeccable and her ability to apply historical events to the modern day taught me a lot. All while giving me a good laugh! This is fascinating stuff. I learned so much that now I'm itching to go back to Hawaii. I won't be lounging on a beach when I get there, I'll be exploring all the historical spots and museums, using Unfamiliar Fishes as my guidebook. Oh and I'll be having a plate lunch followed by a shave ice sitting under a Banyan tree.
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