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Title: The Last Paradise by James D. Houston ISBN: 0-8061-3290-6 Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: January, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 13 List Price(USD): $17.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Paradigm Regained
Comment: Before Michener, Hawai'i was an open-season setting for every visitor who made an occupation of putting pen to paper. Since the local literary renaissance, built in part on the objections of people who live in Hawai'i to Michener's failure to "get it right," few outsiders have stood up to challenge the likes of Darrell Lum, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, and -- most recently -- Chris McKinney. The Last Paradise is less a challenge to those talented local writers than a contribution to the widening pool of literature that celebrates an authentic Island experience without unduly demonizing or romanticizing. But romantic it is, in both the narrow, amorous sense and in the sense that inspires wonder at the natural and spritual forces that pervade human life, whether we pay homage to them or not. Jim Houston is not a Hawai'i-based writer, but he has spent considerable time here and his acculturation seems as complete as an outsider's can be. The writing is lyrically beautiful and authentic-feeling, and the characters Travis Doyle and Evangeline "Angel" Sakai are three-dimensional and vital as their mingling fluids. This is a good read, whether you grew up in Hawai'i like Angel or on the West Coast like Travis; it's a good read for anybody who likes to ponder things that count, such as how long this earth will continue to sustain human beings regardless of what we make of it or ourselves.

Rating: 4
Summary: Looks formulaic at first, but blossoms into a fine novel.
Comment: A restless VietNam vet PI, a beautiful mixed-blood Hawaiian woman, slimeball corporations, spiritual but passive islanders, the Goddess Pele: this is potentially as dangerous ground as a fresh lava flow. Fortunately, Houston is a sufficiently subtle author to create credible and sympathetic characters, provide suspense and surprise, and keep the reader totally engaged. Not as strong as Kiana Davenport's magnicent Shark Dialogues, but a very entertaning page turner with a good environmental message.