Song of the Exile

In this epic, original novel in which Hawaii's fierce, sweeping past springs to life, Kiana Davenport, author of the acclaimed Shark Dialogues, draws upon the remarkable stories of her people to create a timeless, passionate tale of love and survival, tragedy and triumph, survival and transcendence.

In spellbinding, sensual prose, Song of the Exile follows the fortunes of the Meahuna family—and the odyssey of one resilient man searching for his soul mate after she is torn from his side by the forces of war. From the turbulent years of World War II through Hawaii's complex journey to statehood, this mesmerizing story presents a cast of richly imagined characters who rise up magnificent and forceful, redeemed by the spiritual power and the awesome beauty of their islands.
"Reading this novel is an overwhelming experience. . . . Davenport's prose is sharp and shining as a sword, yet her sense of poetry and love of nature permeate each line."
--ISABEL ALLENDE

"PASSIONATE . . . Song of the Exile transports the reader into an often-magical world by the power of its story. Its language is at times a song, and sometimes a cry in the dark. . . . Davenport's imagination and vision will haunt you for a long time."
--Chicago Tribune

"AN INCREDIBLE NOVEL . . . Davenport weaves the history and culture of Hawaii . . . into the restless search for self-discovery of her unforgettable characters. . . . Profound, lyrical, insightful."
--Booklist (starred review)

"EVEN AS DAVENPORT RELATES THE HORROR OF WAR, SHE INFUSES EVERY PAGE WITH POETRY."
--New Woman