A powerful, lush memoir about a Hawaiian woman who ran away from paradise to discover who she is and where she belongs.

Born and raised in Hawai'i by a father whose ancestors are indigenous to the land and a mother from the American South, Jessica Machado wrestles with what it means to be "local." Feeling separate from the history and tenets of Hawaiian culture that have been buried under the continental imports of malls and MTV, Jessica often sees her homeland reflected back to her from the tourist perspective--as an uncomplicated paradise. Her existence, however, feels far from that ideal. Balancing her parents' divorce, an ailing mother, and growing anxiety, Jessica rebels. She moves to Los Angeles, convinced she'll leave her complicated family behind and define herself. Instead, her isolation only becomes more severe, and her dying mother follows her to California. For Jessica, the only way to escape is a reckless downward spiral.

Interwoven with a rich and nuanced exploration of Hawaiian history and traditions, Local is a personal and moving narrative about family, grief, and reconnecting to the land she tried to leave behind.

Author: Jessica Machado
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Little a
Published: 01/01/2023
Pages: 236
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.51h x 5.85w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781542027328


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 10/03/2022
Kirkus Reviews 10/15/2022
Library Journal 12/01/2022 pg. 112
Booklist 01/01/2023 pg. 17