Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a powerful debut novel that delicately blends Hawaiian myth with the broken American dream. With stunning physical detail and a profound command of language, Washburn’s powerful debut examines what it means to be both of a place, and a stranger in it.
Read our Preview reviewer thoughts here:
As a lover of the magic realism genre and stories with fantastical elements, Sharks in the Time of Saviours did not disappoint. The book brings forward themes of family, spirituality and the Hawaiian culture, delivered in beautiful prose that sometimes could be confused for poetry. For lovers of magic in the real world, I would recommend this debut novel from Kawai Strong Washburn. – Vivian, NSW, 4 stars
I loved this magical insight into Hawaiian culture and mythology- not something I would ordinarily choose so I’m grateful to have had the chance to read this book. – Erin, QLD, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a stunning read. A poignant tale of struggle, hardship and a fundamental family love that trumps all. Kawai Strong Washburn breathes life into the Hawaiian landscape through personification and beautiful lyrical prose. The narrative itself is spine tingling; the magic and wonder produced through powerful imagery synonymous with Polynesian culture is nothing short of dazzling. Raw and emotive, Sharks in the Time of Saviours is one not to be missed. Thank you Better Reading Preview for the advanced copy! – Sarah, VIC, 5 stars
A family story deeply entwined with the land and its very essence, told in the voices of mother, daughter and two sons, it lingers after you’ve read the last page. Noa is conceived as mystical Hawaiian ‘walkers’ appear, proving to be a special child. But the family must leave their deep connection with the land behind. All the children are gifted in some way but must fight to be recognised or to live with expectations placed upon them. Some novels can be read once, enjoyed and forgotten. This deserves a second read. Not always easy or comfortable but stays in your mind, giving a new appreciation of connection to culture and experience – Juanita, NSW, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a puzzling mystery which unfolds through a number of very different points of view. The author has a real gift for conversational language, allowing the readers to understand each point of view character’s response to a situation by the way they talk about it. And some of those situations are pretty intense. This book will keep you guessing. – Felicity, NSW, 4 stars
Saved from drowning, Nainoa and his family believe their luck has changed. But life has an extraordinary way of making you appreciate the things you can’t change. Sharks in the Time of Saviours is the debut novel written by Kawai Strong Washburn. It is a story about family and is told from five narrators who share their trepid steps into a world as they grow up. Intertwined with magic, sadness, place and myth, the story kept me engaged till the end. I have high hopes that Kawai releases another book. – Wendy, VIC, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is an intense, emotional but magical story beautifully told through multiple perspectives about a boy saved from a dire situation in the islands of Hawaii. This book had me feeling so many emotions, a family’s struggle, a mother’s panic and heartache, a child’s need to make sense of the world. I recommend it to anyone looking for a little bit of magic in their lives, this is a unique immersive book that will have you turning the pages eager to see a glimpse into this family’s journey. – Tamara, QLD, 5 stars
You will be mesmerised by the stunningly written Sharks in the Time of Saviours. At the age of seven, Nainoa is miraculously saved from drowning by a shark; as a result, he is considered to be blessed by the gods and ultimately deemed to be the family’s saviour from certain economic destruction. The story is told primarily from the perspectives of Nainoa, his two siblings, and his mother, and each voice is completely unique and compelling. In Nainoa’s chapters we gain insight into his struggle to cope with the pressure of saving his family. In his siblings’ chapters we witness their struggle to live in their brother’s shadow. The book is set in Hawaii and the United States, and the descriptions of place are beautiful and vivid. The language in the book is so exquisite you will want to savour every word. – Amanda, QLD, 5 stars
Mythical story beautifully written that also address issues such as race, poverty etc. Not a book I would normally pick up given the title and the subject but it drew me in and I was hooked – Kim, NSW, 4 stars
I was intrigued by the descriptive language, the cultural differences and the terminology used in this new release by Kawai Strong Washburn. Sharks In The Time Of Saviours is a book to savour. – Kelly, NSW, 4 stars
The author of Sharks in the Time of Saviours, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. This grounding has put the author in good stead to produce an authentic novel set in Hawaiʻi. Kawai Strong Washburn presents a contextual family drama, that encompasses themes of class, poverty, economics, opportunity, culture, old world faith, belief systems, magical realism and survival. Opening in the year 1994, Sharks in the Time of Saviours simultaneously reveals the cultural fabric of this nation, as well as its secrets, while relaying the astonishing rescue of child. When seven year old Nainia Flores is saved from possible drowning by a school of sharks, his financially strapped family sees this miracle act as the ultimate sign from the gods. Their child, Nainia, is the chosen one, and his rescue heralds a great gift from the ancient gods of the land. What follows this incident and the Flores clan, is a true test of the human spirit. Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a moving debut, punctuated by drifting and poetic prose, with heartbreaking, as well as melancholic undertones. This book is unquestionably an original and powerful ode, of mystical proportions, to the tropical idyll of Hawaiʻi. – Amanda, WA, 3 stars
SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIOURS – What a debut novel this was! A wonderful family saga and although often sad a beautiful story with lovely prose. Amazing characters that had me gripped from the very beginning. I loved how the story unfolded and I would recommend this to anyone to read. Thank you BR for once again for introducing me to an enjoyable read that I would not necessarily been drawn to however love that I have had the opportunity to experience. – Debbie, VIC, 4 stars
Sharks in the time of Saviours is a terrific read rich in Hawaiian folklore and legends. Washburn writes with a powerful descriptive edge that allows you to immerse yourself in the lives of the characters so you feel and experience their lives with them. His use of the Hawaiian slang lingo adds to the realism of the novel as does his attention to physical details, with The Night Marcher scenes giving me goosebumps. Washburn has shown a family who not only live on an island but are a part of the island. They are part and parcel of the land they inhabit, the land that gives them life but also takes it away. The Hawaiian culture is beautifully represented and respected in this novel and Washburn delicately shows the cyclic pattern of life as the novel begins and ends steeped in the same reverence for the Hawaiian Gods who have come before. – Mel, NSW, 4 stars
Well this book certainly started with a bang. I wasn’t the biggest fan, but didn’t mind it – Brielle, NSW, 3 stars
On the night Nainoa is conceived, the mythical Hawai’ian night marchers are walking. At age 7 he falls from a tour boat but the circling sharks return him gently and safely to his mother. The boy is perceived to have acquired the favour of the old gods, the expectations are high: he will be the family’s, his peoples’ and the land’s saviour. Nainoa is burdened by these pressures, his siblings are both resentful and protective. Brother Dean travels to the mainland USA to undertake a basketball scholarship with dreams of fame and wealth. Younger sister Kaui pursues a career in engineering, eschewing her love of the Hula. Nainoa himself becomes a paramedic, hoping to bolster and control his healing gifts. Sharks, to some representing the ancient gods, but also metaphorically constituting predators and threats return bringing setbacks, grief and tragedy. But is Nainoa the only saviour? ‘Sharks in the Time of Saviours’ is a heart-wrenching debut, written with fervour and great empathy. Kawai Strong Washburn’s description of the birth of Nainoa is flawlessly honed. He delivers the power of family ties, ancestors and sacred old ways, the connection to land in a potent voice. – Anita, QLD, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a remarkable debut novel by Kawai Washburn. It explores the burden of parental expectations on children and the ripples of damage throughout their lives. Washburn gifts us with a multi layered story – family difficulties, a sense of displaced culture and Hawaiian myth. This book can be enjoyed over and over with new meanings rising each time. – Karen, ACT, 4 stars
I thought this was an interesting, deep and moving novel. I felt it was well thought out and also well written. The main characters were intriguing, each impacted profoundly in testing times. I did find however that the book dragged on a great deal and it wasn’t until closer to the end that it really drew me in. The actual ending was wonderful and unexpected. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. – Danielle, VIC, 3 stars
So unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. While there were things I absolutely appreciated about the book and the author’s story-telling, I just couldn’t get lost enough in the story to put the effort into finding out what was happening and why. Things I liked: The Hawaiian connection, and the way the stories and understandings about gods and humans were interwoven into what was happening for the characters The healthy dose of reality and questioning that comes with the realisation that a child is ‘special.’ The fact that the paranormal aspects seemed entirely plausible in the context of the plot and it’s characters Things I didn’t: That I didn’t know what we were leading to, or what the point of the story was exactly The jumping around of points of view – I felt like I was always hearing from someone other than who I wanted to be hearing from, and felt like I was missing the input of certain people at certain stages. I think there are a lot of amazing things about this book, and believe that a lot of people will love it, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea unfortunately. – Kelli, TAS, 2 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a haunting tale of family and the ups and downs life often throws our way. It delves into the deep spirituality and tradition of Hawaiin culture combined with all the complexities of the modern world. This story is reminiscent of a Tim Winton novel, exploring similar issues to those encountered in Coudstreet, or even The Shepherd’s Hut. In the tortured character of Nainoa, we can see elements of Fish Lamb (Cloudstreet), with both characters being caught between reality and the spirit world. Although I would not say this story is completely uplifting, at times it is downright depressing, it does hone in on the endurance of the human spirit and one family’s resilience in the face of despair. All people who read this text will be drawn to different aspects and characters, and on this level, it is a novel that should be given a chance. 3 stars. – Angie, NSW, 3 stars
A tale that shows the bonds of family – the good and bad times but most importantly the bonds that bind us together. The story shows family and the love that they share. It also invites the reader to visit a world that they may not know much about – Hawaii and all its beauty – Bernadette, NSW, 3 stars
Masai Strong Washburn’s writing style is one of strong imagery and raw emotion. An insight into the Hawaiin culture and how it shapes families. Now matter where people may go in their lives their heritage still underpins who they are. – Ann, NSW, 3 stars
I didn’t like this book. It’s the first book I’ve reviewed that i really disliked. It is difficult to read. Hawaiian language doesn’t make a lot of sense to Australians. The jumping from person to person each chapter seemed disjointed. I couldn’t recommend it. Sorry. – Kay, QLD, 1 star
This was a very poetic piece of writing that borrows from Hawaiian myths and brings them into the today. I found the use of Hawaiian words difficult at times and had to look them up to put context into the writing. Telling the story from different family members points of view was a good way to get the story from different perspectives and I liked the way the worrying changed to capture their own personalities. Probably not a book I’d reread in a hurry as I did find it hard going at times, especially needing to look things come to give context. – Jodie, WA, 3 stars
For some reason I found this book very difficult to immerse myself in. It was a blend of Hawaiian mythology and family saga that was well written and I’m not sure why I found it difficult to read, perhaps it is better suited to readers who engage well with a story written from several perspectives. – Leesy, NSW, 3 stars
I wanted to like this book but i struggled – i think I got a bit lost in the fantasy side of things – the outcome not what i was expecting. – Janelle, NSW, 2 stars
I have made several attempts at reading this book and each time I have been unable to find anything that will make me interested in finishing this novel. I found it hard to follow, hard to understand the language used and hard to become engrossed in the story line. – Danielle, SA, 1 star
Wow, what an impactful novel. It took me a few days after finishing this to write a review because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I loved to flow of chapters between the family members of Dean, Noa, Kaui and their parents. For me, the story brought home the importance of family and where home really is. Despite the outcome of the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and really hope to read more from this author – Kirstie, WA, 4 stars
A moving story about connection to country. One families story but written through the different voices of each family member. – Megan, NSW, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours by Kawai Strong Washburn, was my first experience of magical realism. I found it full of life from an Hawaiian era long past and so descriptively written, I was transported back to a recent vacation. I enjoyed the insights into life during the collapse of the sugar cane industry and the challenges faced by many. A page turning read. – Bec, TAS, 4 stars
A beautiful, haunting and atmospheric story. I found this unusual tale very hard to put down! – Rachel, QLD, 4 stars
Take your time with “Sharks in the Time of Saviours”. To fully appreciate it, read slowly and with concentration, savouring the images and letting the atmosphere seep into you. If you do that, this is a deeply rewarding novel. It is rendered with both a deep understanding and considerable sensitivity. Lack of money is a constant for the family. It infuses their lives, and is an inescapable influence. Love, tensions and rivalry are exposed through dialogue and thought. The vivid and realistic conversations make feelings clear, and will make you itch with whatever childhood rivalries and resentments you still carry. This is a novel of magic realism. The presence of the gods is a background hum. This is subtly handled, but unmistakably woven through the fabric of the novel. This subtle and intelligent novel is a moving depiction of poverty and family relationships. The use of Hawaiian slang, and particular rhythms of speech, marks it out from the first page. This is brutally realistic, and lyrically beautiful in other places, both seeming utterly appropriate. It’s distinctive, and very readable. I appreciated it, and expect to find myself mulling it over for some time. I hope it finds a wide audience. – Lorraine, ACT, 4 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is the best Saga I have read since “A Little Life”. This is an excellent debut novel. Kawai Strong Washburn has written a truly remarkable tale told from multiple points of view, that really takes you into the lives of the Flores family. Be warned, this is not a book you can just pick up and read a little here or there. Be prepared to read from cover to cover. A great read, a wonderful story. I did feel it slowed a little for me midway through Part III but had me hooked again in Part IV. 4 stars. Thank you, Better Reading and Penguin Hamish Hamilton, for an ARC in return for a honest review. – Hannah, ACT, 4 stars
Sharks in the time of saviours isn’t a book I’d normally read but I’m glad I got a preview copy from better reading. This is a story about family & the things parents will do for their 3 children Nainoa, Dean & Kaui. Even though you know something special happens from the book blurb I don’t want to go into that. The family is already on the move when that happens it just moves the family along into different directions. Being a parent to 4 children I can understand when the other children believe Nainoa is the favourite. All three have their ability’s in life but the parents focus on Nainoa & put the other kids away. They do want what’s best for all their children but it doesn’t go that way. I won’t go into the ending but I was satisfied with it. Everyone, in a way, finding their way & I believe ending up where they belong. I recommend this to anyone who believes in family, culture & has a connection to the land & where they come from. – Terry, NSW, 5 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a Hawaiian family saga. The story begins when this family who are trying to make ends meet are taking a rare holiday and seven-year-old Ninoa falls overboard into the ocean and is dangerously surrounded by four sharks. Miraculously he is carried safety and gently back to the boat in the mouth of a shark. Through this freak act of nature Ninoa then becomes a legend and is thought to be gifted with special powers of the gods that will heal people. His siblings feel resentment and jealously when Ninoa always appears to be treated with more importance by their parents than how they are. I loved the way the story encompasses the native Hawaiian beliefs of spirits, myths and gods. The family dynamics were well written. There are a lot of supernatural events and it’s a very spiritual tale. A great story for lovers of magical realism. – Gloria, SA, 3 stars
A boy conceived when gods roam the island, gifted (or plagued) with premonitory visions, saved by sharks, able to heal, a boy so special, is bound to be treated differently. So young, yet believing himself charged with the salvation of the islands. This maybe messiah is not an only child. Nor do his parents know quite how to nurture the gift. From them comes favour and protection and support; from his siblings, in addition to the usual love and rivalry, there’s also jealousy and resentment. A powerful, moving debut from an author to watch. – Marianne, NSW, 5 stars
A young boy rescued from drowning by sharks then discovers he has a gift, bestowed upon him by the Gods. Life in Hawaii is tough after the sugar cane plantation closes and the Flores family struggles to make ends meet. A different perspective to family events is given by each character in alternating chapters: Malia (mother), Dean and Nainoa (sons), and Kaui (daughter). They use colloquial dialect and you immerse yourself in their world and life changing events. As an avid reader I struggled with this novel. I can appreciate the writer’s vision at the time of writing and you genuinely felt transported to the islands of Hawaii through his descriptive language. As I am not familiar with Hawaiian culture I would have found a glossary extremely helpful to refer to indigenous words used throughout the novel. Unfortunately I felt I was missing out because of this and my knowledge would undoubtedly expand. A beautifully written debut novel examining family connection, heritage and the cost of survival. – Melissa, VIC, 5 stars
Sharks in the Time of Saviours By Kawai Strong Washburn This novel is the debut novel of Kawai Strong Washburn, his talent for writing, researching and for telling a story is amazing. Sharks in the Time of Saviours is a beautiful story written about faith, grief, rage and love. It looks at Hawaiian families, traditions, beliefs and the Ancient gods. The book is centred on the Flores family, it is 1994 and the family are trying to make ends meet after the sugar cane industry collapses, when on an outing seven year old Nainoa Flores is saved from drowning by a shiver of sharks. His family looks at this as a sign from the Ancient Gods. The book explores the individual characters as they grow up and learn to cope with the world around them. Whilst doing this the author has explored the traditional Hawaiian culture, beliefs and traditions. The love of scared lands calling the family home is stressed through the character of Nainoa and his special healing powers. It is definitely a book where you are gripped to your seat to find out the twists and turns of the characters and the need to know what happens. A Must Read! – Amy, NSW, 4 stars
Thank you for the opportunity to read Sharks In The Time Of Saviours by Kawai Strong Washburn. This is the story of Nainoa Flores and his family. At a young age he is saved by sharks which changes the course of his families life. His family don’t have a lot of money but when news of his saving and a change in his abilities occurs his parents believe the Hawaiin gods are involved, and in turn this starts making money for them. This has a downside of altering the family and changing their paths in life. His brother Dean decides he needs to be better at something which is basketball, and his sister Kaui goes well at University, both away from the family. No-one can understand when things start to change again, and the call of the islands puts everyone in a new direction. Without giving too much away the description of the islands really brings them to life. Through the story I became more involved with each character and all their flawed, real lives. – Tara, NSW, 3 stars
I’m giving this book 3.5 stars as I think the author has a writing talent that is better than average. I liked the style of the book; each chapter was from another POV and they came together more as the story went along. Some of the descriptions of Hawaii were brilliant and then some sections left me flat. I think I was a little confused in the beginning, so this confusion continued for a large part of the book. Eventually I was able to place the characters and they became more real. While Noa’s rescue by the sharks is extraordinary I took from the book that we shouldn’t just focus on the extraordinary things that happen in our lives. We are all special and have abilities that shouldn’t be overlooked. I suggest anyone starting this book to give it time and attention in the beginning. I would follow this authors career and would give future books a go as I think his story telling ability is worth watching. 3.5 stars – Di, QLD, 3 stars
“Sharks in the Time of Saviours” asa debut novel By Kawai Strong Washburn was a very well written book. I loved the introduction of each of the different characters throughout the book, the influences that each of them had into the storyline. However i did find it a little difficult at times to follow the story with it changing to the different characters each chapter. I did appreciate the depth of his writing and loved the descriptions and the cultural depth that the reader was introduced to. Would i have bought this book, No i don’t think i would have. – Christine, QLD, 2 stars
I recently received a copy of Sharks in the time of saviors by Kuwai Washburn thanks to #BRPreview and #Penguin Random house Australia. It is a book filled with Hawaiian mythology. It is set in Kailua-Kora Hawai’i in 1994. Nano Flores is saved by a shiver of Sharks after falling overboard off a cruise ship and delivered safely back to his mum. It is believed he will now be the saviour of his families good fortune after they fall on hard times after the collapse of the sugar cane industry. The story is written in parts by each family member over a 14 year period from their own perspectives of how they witness events. Nainoa always feels like he has the weight of the families success or failure completely on his shoulders and struggles to deal with the pressure moving to the mainland in the attempt to forge his own success and wealth. Leaving his family feeling abandoned. None of the other children feel like their input counts and it’s not until tragedy strikes when their sister Kaui has her opportunity to shine by revealing a strength she didn’t even realize she possessed to hold the family together and rebuild. It shows that everyone should have their chance to be valued for their own merits even if they are modest and find confidence to be able to be loved and respected for who they are and what they are capable of regardless of gender. It is a tender, loving but heartbreaking tale quite unlike anything else I’ve ever read before with an innocence which the reader will find endearing. I really enjoyed this story despite it being from a different genre than I would normally select. I strongly recommend everyone give this book a serious audience. It’s worth it. Thanks for the opportunity to review this great book – Janet, NSW, 4 stars
I Read this book in two sittings. It was a great story well written and kept me hooked till the end. I found to me it was About family’s and the choices they make along the way between siblings and parents also about their ancestors great influence over the future life. I enjoyed reading this. – Beth, TAS, 4 stars
‘When I close my eyes we are all still alive and it becomes obvious then what the gods want from us.’ In Hawai’i in 1994, seven-year-old Nainoa Flores falls from a cruise ship. He is rescued by a shark, and gently delivered to his mother. This event marks the beginning of an incredible family journey. The story unfolds across four parts, is told over fourteen years and involves success, failure, and family rivalry. There are five narrators: Malia (the mother), siblings Nainoa, Dean and Kaui, and their father Augie. Expectations of Nainoa are great, living up to them is not easy. Each of the children leave Hawai’i: partly in pursuit of their dreams, partly to escape their reality. Can any of them find happiness outside Hawai’i? It took me a little while to fall in with the rhythm of this story, to appreciate the part Hawai’i has to play as Nainoa’s life unfolds. While some aspects of the magic don’t work for me, the beauty in the storytelling kept me engaged. I finished the novel wanting more. ‘He never left us.’ – Jennifer, ACT, 4 stars
Set in Hawaii, this is one of the most descriptive books I have read, the islands feel like they become characters themselves. Told from the perspective of multiple family members, each with their own personalities, this magical book will draw you in and make you want to read it in one sitting. – Kylie, QLD, 4 stars
Beautifully written this book is set in Hawaii, The Flores family witness a miracle with their son Nainoa ( absolutely no spoilers) This wonderful book will keep readers engrossed from the start to finish – Deborah, NSW, 5 stars
This book is really difficult to review as it’s like nothing else I’ve ever read, is hard to describe and I don’t want to give too much away. I can say that I really enjoyed experience of reading it, even if the journey it took me on wasn’t always the nicest to witness. The language is lyrical and really lets you hear the characters’ voices and the Hawaiian settings are so enticing, it made me want to visit and explore. You really come to know the central family; their sibling bonds of equal parts jealousy, competition and love were so familiar and so true. As a result, even though many of the narrators seem to make poor choices and find themselves in bad situations, I still found myself on their side; really hoping things would turn out ok. – Em, NSW, 5 stars
‘Sharks in the Time of Saviours’ is one of those books I find difficult to review, because I normally really enjoy magic-realism in fiction. But though this book has many positives, for some reason I cannot pinpoint, it did not grab me. Washburn writes beautifully, and at time his prose could even be called poetic. Yes, the characters are well drawn and multi-facetted. And yes, Washburn’s examination of the meaning of place, of exile, and of family is well done, as is his weaving of myth and its importance to the people of Hawai’i. Yet, for some reason I can’t identify, this was not a book that made me want to keep reading late into the night. A shame, really… Three stars because of all the positives. – Dominique, SA, 3 stars
Nothing spoils a Sunday BBQ like worrying if your winnings will arrive before the rent is due. I requested a payout from https://levelupcasino.com/ on a Saturday night and woke up to find the funds already processed. It is rare to find a casino that works as hard as we do down under to get payments out quickly. Reliability like that is why I moved all my action here .