Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn (#21 in 2020)
Thank you to @mcdbooks @fsgbooks for my gifted copy. PUB DATE: 3/3/2020
When Nainoa was 7 years old, he fell overboard on a family trip. As sharks began to appear in the water, everyone naturally assumed that Noa was a goner. One of the sharks however, cradled Noa in its jaws and carefully brought him back to his family. It was as if the sharks recognized the greatness in Noa and knew his time on earth was worth more than a meal. In the years following the shark incident, Noa and his family grow in different directions and each person's experience with that remarkable day plays a role in the future.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors is Kawai Strong Washburn's debut novel... and I'm over here completely captivated by what feels like the work of a seasoned writer. This storyline is a realistic depiction of a struggling family coupled with a Hawaiian mythology. In a similar vein to that of Greek or Roman mythology, Noa's gift of life comes with a price as he finds himself with a newfound capability. From the synopsis, one might assume this book is about a surprising encounter with a shark, but this book is SO much more than that. On the surface, readers will find the topics of family, love, and culture. Beneath all of that are the topics of poverty, spirituality, and survival, and the reader is left with complex emotions as each character life branches off in a different direction. Here's my bold statement of the day: Washburn might be my new favorite narrative voice. There, I've said it. I hate comparing authors to one another, but I think it's sometimes helpful to compare debut authors to writers we already know for the sake of describing the writing style. Here's what I've got: Washburn has a style that reminds me so much of Sandra Cisneros and James Joyce from the writing technique to the strong infusion of culture. Washburn, like those well-known authors, writes vignette-style chapters, each from a different perspective, and he uses those individual parts to build towards a bigger picture. While each of Washburn's characters has a distinct voice and perspective, the family ties are undeniable. Despite the element of magic in this otherwise realistic story, the plot is seamless and leaves no room for confusion. For more contemporary comparisons:
- Lovers of Ta-Nehisi Coates' The Water Dancer might detect Washburn's similar usage of diction to create sentences that read like lyrics. Like Coates, Washburn incorporates a magical element to his realistic plot.
- Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We've Ever Had was a very character-focused novel that featured the characters' revelations about imperfection and their willingness to persevere. Washburn's book is equally as character-centered and uncovers each character's feelings and revelations about how the shark incident has impacted their lives.
Also... for any of my NY/NJ friends, Kawai Strong Washburn will be at Books Are Magic in Brooklyn on April 2nd. I'm dying to go and plan on attending so I can:
1. Hear Washburn speak
2. Get my book signed
3. Fangirl over my new favorite author (yes... Washburn is officially my new favorite author!)
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