What readers think of The Lion in the Lei Shop, plus links to write your own review.

The Lion in the Lei Shop by Kaye Starbird is one in a series of novels called "Book Lust Discoveries"...these are novels that had been published between 1960 and 2000, were out of print, but chosen for reprint by NPR commentator, Nancy Pearl because they were such good books.

She was so right on this particular book...I thought it was wonderful! The book begins on Dec.7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. It is a beautifully written account, spoken in two voices, that of a mother and daughter who live through the bombing, evacuate to the States and learn to survive without the husband/father who is left behind to serve his country.

This is a poignant, sad, funny story...I couldn't wait to finish the book, but then when I did, wished I could start it all over again.

As those who bore witness to Pearl Harbor die off, a book like this becomes even more important. It has fortuitously been reissued so that the memories of this time will not be lost. Beautifully written, it elucidates the tragic effects of the attack on a mother and her young child, and its future repercussions on them both. For adults and older teens.

The novel chronicles the bombing of Pearl Harbor as seen by both a child and her mother. The story gives a heartfelt and engaging perspective of how that day impacted them and their lives as a military wife and child on the island that day, and the years that follow. The author was able to bring the events and emotions to life with her narrative. I found it hard to put down and very emotional.

Daughter marty is evacuated from Pearl harbor with her mother. In the aftermath she has nightmares of the lion in the lei shop who is supposed to devour happy children. This is the story of how the mother deal with their new life and facing the possibility of their soldier husband and father never coming home. This is a great book and one I'm glad I read it.

I found this to be an excellent read. The chapters alternating between April's ( the mother) & Marty's ( the young daughter) points- of- view of the same events was fascinating. The novel reminds one of how events can have lasting effects on the young & old alike. I've always enjoyed a good home front story, & this had a neat twist to it that makes it easy to understand why Nancy Pearl chose this as a "rediscovered treasure."

The unreliability of memory, mothers and daughters, a signal event in U.S. history: these are the stones of this story about an army family at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Through the sometimes overlapping, sometimes colliding memories of mother and daughter we learn about the surprise attack and how the lives of army families were forever changed. Many families were evacuated to the mainland and spent lonely years hoping for the return of their husbands or fathers. This poignant tale of the lives and losses made me aware that it was more than ships that were lost that day. It's a wonderful novel of memory, hope, loss of hope and endurance that enables the reader a new perspective on human tenacity.

The Lion in the Lei Shop by Kaye Starbird is a beautifully written novel that I highly recommend. Originally published in 1970 it has been reprinted for the Book Lust Rediscovery series. Two narrators, a young mother and her daughter, recall the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed and the subsequent weeks, months, and years that follow. This is a story about memories, childhood fears, and the different ways people cope with the same event. It speaks of women and their friendships, mothers and their children, and how life goes on with humor, tears, and love. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

One of the fantastic Nancy Pearl Rediscoveries, this book is an unusual view of December 7, 1941 and the weeks and months after the attack. The women and children who were stationed on Pearl Harbor with their husbands and fathers are suddenly confronted with black-outs, food shortages and a world with no men. Surprisingly funny at times, the book is a page-turner that illustrates the frightening, monotonous, and challenging years of the home front. Don't miss it if you enjoy women's fiction