Sharks in the Time of Saviors

3.5 stars rounded up. The writing was beautiful and the narrators were excellent. I'm so glad I listened to this on audio, because it really brought the story to life. It is a pretty sad story about a family with great expectations for their children that doesn't work out as planned. I appreciated the incorporation of the land that was weaved throughout the book.

What if your brother was probably the messiah? Or your son was? Or what if your whole family believed you had supernatural abilities that could rescue them from poverty? What would that do to you and your perception of the world? Those are the questions posed in this surreally beautiful book. Set primarily in Hawai'i, it is a story of a family struggling with poverty, marginalization, racism, grief all while working out if they are actually the center of a divine awakening. Vivid description, a depth of characterization, and some really powerful questions. My mother-in-law recommended this to me, and I'm glad she did because I doubt I would have found it on my own. While definitely not recommended if you are looking for something light and fun, I'd pick it up if you want some literary magical realism that will give you things to think about long after you finish.