Our book review this week is a story that takes you back to the 19th century of Kauai and even more pointed into the wild and remote overgrowth of our ever-famous Na Pali Coast. But this isn’t just any story
Our book review this week is a story that takes you back to the 19th century of Kauai and even more pointed into the wild and remote overgrowth of our ever-famous Na Pali Coast.
But this isn’t just any story — in fact this is a tale told in the form of an epic poem, similar to the Homerian classics of old, except its hero is someone from Kauai’s own past. Indeed, if you have lived on Kauai for any time, or are a frequent visitor, you most likely have heard of the true life story of the person called Ko’olau the Leper.
What you may not know is that W. S. Merwin, 17th poet laureate of the United States, has told the story of Ko’olau the Leper in a way never done by any other. “The Folding Cliffs: A Narrative of 19th Century Hawaii” is the result.
Merwin put his incredible talents toward telling Ko’olau’s life in a beautiful blend of historical fiction set in the timbre of fluid poetry. Merwin, a longtime resident of Maui and noted for his world-renowned contributions to the field of endangered palms, weaves the beauty and barbarism of the time to give an engaging and lyrical experience of the incredible trials Ko’olau and Pi’ilau faced, providing seamlessly touching comparisons to the history of the Hawaiian people as well.
It is obvious to us, by his unique and timelessly effective work, that Merwin cares greatly about Hawaii, and two of his good friends who just visited our bookstore conveyed this as well.
“The Folding Cliffs” is more than just another novel about Kauai. It is perhaps Kauai’s definitive epic poem and we always have it featured in the front of the store.
••••
Ed and Cynthia Justus are the owners of The Bookstore in Hanapepe.
