Bird of Another Heaven

by James D. Houston

From the author of Snow Mountain Passage , a saga of the Donner Party, comes a deeply engaging new novel, set in both our time and the late nineteenth century. It centers on a California woman, half Indian, half Hawaiian, who became consort and confidante to the last king of Hawaii.

The story is told by her great-grandson, Sheridan Brody, a Bay Area talk show host, whose life has reached an unexpected standstill. He can’t quite commit—he doesn’t know why—to his Japanese-American girlfriend and her five-year-old son. A corporate merger may soon threaten his job. But when he receives an on-air call from a woman claiming to be his grandmother, Sheridan feels compelled to uncover all he can about this previously unknown branch of his family, embarking on a quest that will change how he sees his future and his past.

What he finds, through the journals of his great-grandmother, Nani Keala (aka Nancy Callahan), and through his own investigations, is an almost mythic tale: how Nani, a shy girl from a remote Indian village, learns English at a local white rancher’s school and meets the Hawaiian king, David Kalakaua, on his grand progress by train across the United States in 1881, and returns with him to Honolulu. There, as his young ally and protégée, ever more assured and charming, she plays an integral role in his attempt to revive the monarchy and spirit of his people and, eventually, witnesses the mysterious circumstances surrounding his downfall.

Bird of Another Heaven is rich in historical scene and character, based in part on actual events. Nani’s life unfolds against the backdrop of the opening of northern California and America’s rising ambitions in Asia and the Pacific during the 1800s. It is also a story of emotional intensity and compassion, equally compelling for Sheridan’s contemporary journey of self-discovery and the beautifully imagined journey of Nani, a woman of extraordinary power and appeal.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club

337 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

James Houston is the author of 8 novels and several nonfiction books. His work includes Snow Mountain Passage and Farewell to Manzanar.

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look! I actually finished a book.

I very intentionally dusted off this book from my to-read pile last week, because I was going to Hawaii. I knew this book dealt with the final days of King Kalakaua, so I thought my vacation would enhance the reading experience and vice versa—and I was right. The experience of being in Hawaii was ineffably heightened by reading this historical novel. Though the story of Kalakaua and his thoughtful consort is fiction, James Houston immerses us in the sights, smells, and outrages of Hawaii in its final years as an independent island nation. Though I could have done without the contemporary anchor of Sheridan-the-DJ and his "trickster" grandmother, Houston propels you to that final page. If you're lucky enough to be in Hawaii when you finish, you will see the people, the beaches, and the mummified palaces in an entirely new light.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely historical novel about a half-Hawaiian, half-California Indian woman who becomes the paramour of David Kalakaua, the last king of Hawai'i. In alternating chapters, it also tells the story of her great-grandson, who is currently living in the Bay Area and struggling to understand himself and where he fits into the world. That format is often annoying, but in this case it (more or less) works. Both halves of the story are interesting and I like the way they finally intersect.

[Weslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like traveling to different times and places; this suits my goals with trips to the Gold Rush, turn of the century San Francisco and Hawaii. Plot is unveiled as a NPR like broadcaster discovers his family history from an unexpected caller. Precolonial Hawaii and US history seem to reflect accurately in a well woven fabric of events.

[Lori Korleski · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical fiction... I loved reading about the Valley, the foothills, San Francisco and Hawaii, all intertwined, past and present. It felt a bit truncated, but it gave the reader a good bit to chew on. Its air of spirituality and mysticism was appealing and it was written well.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a slog of a book for me, the first 35% was kind of interesting and then it seemed like it was nothing but history with a touch fictional telling. No character study or enough content to keep my interest engaged.

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating book about early California, the last king of Hawaii, and the tribes of the Sacramento valley. A pleasant read full of historic facts.

[Mirrani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is historical fiction, I felt my eyes opening as I read it. Living in North Carolina, I haven't been as exposed to the culture and history of Hawaii beyond what you see in TV and movies and I wish that I had read this before our last trip to the islands, so that I could better appreciate some of the places we had been.

The book bounces back and forth between the past, where it tells the story of the king and his consort, and modern times, where a young man is trying to learn more about his family's past and is brought to this story. There is an NPR feel to the modern story and that appealed to me very much, along with the quest to learn about a family's connections.

An enjoyable read that took me back to my time in Hawaii and made me want to visit again.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting story of a Hawaiian teenager who came to California in the 1850s with a backstory of his life in Hawaii. It goes on to tell of his descendants and their interest in their heritage. His daughter was raised learning Hawaiian, English and the language of her Native American mother. She began keeping a journal at the age of 17 and wrote in it throughout her life. Her journal tells the story of her allegiance to Hawaii and her close relationship with the Hawaiian king. I enjoyed the whole historical journey of this family.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing historical fiction story centering around the King of Hawaii, David Kalakaua, and Nani Keala, his consort, and the eventual takeover of Hawaii by the U.S. government. The setting bounces back and forth between northern California and Hawaii, which was a true delight for me, a northern Californian. Although I was already familiar with the Hawaiian history, the relationship between the King and Nani was extremely touching. Highly recommend this book!

[Vettecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical fiction novel about Hawaiians, California history and the last king of Hawaii seemed like an interesting read. Did not care for the bouncing back and forth with present day character who was supposed to be a descendant of the Hawaiian/Indian character and the past story of the king and his consort. Was interesting read for the historical side but did not care for the present day character.

[Mary E. Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good history. California and Hawaii

A wonderful Bay Area story that also includes Hawaiian history. A sweeping tale that tells the story of CA Indians and the Hawaiian King and includes Captain Sutter. It is narrated by a contemporary man who is discovering his own family history. The story unfolds slowly, but is such a good tale. Especially recommended to people from the San Francisco Bay Area because it is a good tale of the area.

[Dotty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical fiction very much. It was particularly interesting to me because I lived on Oahu in the mid ‘80’s and was familiar with many of the locations described. I’ve also been to the San Francisco Bay Area several times and I didn’t know much about its history before the great fire in 1906.

[Leila Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read! I enjoyed learning about Hawaiian culture and the early days of San Francisco. I felt that I was being transported to two very different eras which I was! Well worth reading for anyone.

[Katie Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good story. One of heritage, history, evolution of society, family, culture, progress…. All wrapped up in a mystery. The stifling of the Hawaiian culture is a tragedy. This story brings some beautiful moments back to life. Definitely worth the read.

[Rachel Pollock]

Bailed at 80% because of a total HARSH NOPE of a plot twist. It was good until it was suddenly horrible.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off okay but quickly began to drag. DNF'd at the halfway point.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Historical fiction about King Kalakaua of Hawaii; great sense of time and place and interesting characters.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading James D. Houston, I will read another. This book should be suggested (possibly mandatory) reading for anyone planning a trip to Hawaii and/or San Francisco! It took me quite awhile to finish this story; it was not a 1Cpage turner. 1D Nothing here to be devoured, rather nibbled. Lots of descriptive writing within. And the history! So much research done. I kept checking to see if 1Cthis or that 1D interesting tidbit was fact or fiction 13 found to be fact most of the time. I loved learning about King Kalakaua, his family and his foes. It was wonderful to meet both the real and fictitious characters, as they are first met through the eyes of a 35 year old great-grandson as he unravels the story of his paternal family. And what a people these characters were! Houston left this American mongrel of European descent longing for a culture steeped in such tradition. I much better appreciate the stories told by the Hawaiian Hula dance with its grace and beauty, and the soul of the Native American basket weaved with strength and purpose. This novel takes place in the late 1980 19s and tells the story of Sheridan Brody as he first meets Rosa, his 86 year old grandmother, the mother of his always absent (long dead) biological father. A wonderful relationship ensues. The book also tells the story of his great-grandmother, Nani (late 1800 19s). Sheldon discovers his 1Chistory 1D through discussions with Rosa as they review her photos and mementos and through reading the journals of Nani. I found the contemporary storyline lacking; I think Houston tried too hard to include sabotage so as to relate to King Kalakaua 19s story. Because of this I can 19t say I loved the book. However, due to the rich story surrounding the relationship between Sheridan and Rosa and the rich life of Nani this book is a favorite. You know you love a book character when you wish you could meet them. I want some real face time with Rosa and Nani!

[Deon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird of Another Heaven by James D. Houston book is fascinating. It moves from present day San Francisco to the past of Hawaii and the settling of Sacramento. Sheridan Brody grew up loving his step-father, never knowing anything about his biological father. He works as a San Francisco radio talk show host where one night he receives a startling call from a woman claiming to be his Grandmother. As they begin to develop a relationship she tells him about her son, a young man who was claimed by the battlefields of Viet Nam before ever knew he fathered a child. Sheridan is given the diaries of his Great Grandmother; she was the consort of the last king of Hawaii, David Kalakaua. In the journals he will discover his heritage. I found the historical detail about the fall of the Hawaiian monarchy and the role Hawaiians and Native Americans played in settling Sacramento very dramatic. The book is rich in period detail, the writing keeps up the tension of the treachery of Hawaiian missionaries and business men determined to change the culture.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dan Brody, a young Northern California radio host becomes focused on discovering the legacy of his great-grandmother, Nani Keala, a half Hawaiian-half California Indian who became the mistress of Hawaii's last king, David Kalakaua. Through his grandmother’s stories and Nani’s diaries, a picture of Dan's family history emerges along with the fate of Hawaiian sovereignty. The story is split between the past and present and tied together by the search for a wax cylinder with Kalakaua's last words on it. John Sutter figures in the story in the founding of Sacramento (by Hawaiians) and the life of the California Indians. The story becomes something of a who-done-it based on the author’s theory that the king’s death at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco was actually a murder. Somewhat problematic in its lack of distinction between fact and fiction.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird of Another Heaven, a historical novel, contains multiple "dual" story lines: Time and location (Hawaii, SF and Sacramento in mid 1890's and today's Bay Area); Cultures (Hawaiian and CA native Indian); and Societial (Missionary and Monarch) to name just a few. The present is narriated by "Danny" whose search for his family history leads us back through four generations of his ancestors to Keala, a native Hawaiian who comes to Sacramento with John Sutter; and Keala's daughter Nani, half Hawaiian and half CA native Indian who becomes a consort with the last king to rule Hawaii. As you can tell, this book has more than it's share of plots and story lines - it certainly is an interesting read.

[Susy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After attending a book reading by this author I was intrigued with the story concept - told both from the past and the present. The narrator who is a Bay Area talk show host learns of a great grandmother with Native Indian & Hawaiian roots and tells both his story as well as that of Nani, his great grandmother who was a companion to the last king of Hawaii. Since I love Hawaii but didn't know enough about its history I was hooked from that story line alone, but the author is an accomplished writer of historical fiction and the story in a great tale of California history as well.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much about this novel that captivated me. I've lived in northern California more than half my life, but I saw its history and topography in a whole new way through the eyes of the characters. The emphasis on honoring and saving cultural heritage through storytelling resonated brilliantly, with elegantly drawn connections between and among native cultures (Hawaiian and Native Americans -- fascinating!). The characters were believable and memorable, and the plot built and sustained tension. Outstanding storytelling.

[Mariposa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating to learn about the Hawaii/CA link in the 1800's. I subsequently read Two Years Before the Mast, a first-person account of 1800's CA, which also described the Kanakas working in CA. I did not quite finish Bird of Another Heaven, got bored near the end.

My father grew up in the Sacto River Delta south of Sacramento. His great grandfather came to CA for the Gold Rush and stayed to farm. Dad just told me the other day that the Kanakas helped build the levees in the Delta. I had thought it was the Chinese. He said Chinese, Japanese,
and Hawaiian laborers built the levees.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheridan Brody, a radio talk show host is contacted on air by a woman who thinks she is his grandmother. They become acquainted and he finds unknown to him, a rich family background revealing his Hawaiian ancestry. This is an historical work of fiction which includes the real last King of Hawaii, Kalakaua. The overthrow of the king by the American business community in Hawaii is also detailed. The flipping back and forth of the early part of Sheridan's history and the present day was confusing at times.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The early days of John Sutter's settlement on the Sacramento River, political intrigue in the last years of the Hawaiian monarchy, a missing wax cylinder recording--odd corners of history which come to life when Shendan Brody, radio talk show host, takes a call from a woman who claims to be his grandmother and who sets him on a path to recovering his own family history. If Hawaiian or Californian history interests you, try this!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully imagined historical novel is partly set in San Francisco, a place I love and where I once lived for over twenty years of my adult life. The story encompasses a frame of time that extends from the present to before the turn of the twentieth century. The main characters are central to the history and culture of Hawaii, the place where I now live and have lived in excess of twenty years. The historical innuendo is dead-on. The story unfolds like origami. A wonderful read.

[Madeleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be sort of the anti- Molokai, and it was to the extent that it showed it is in fact possible for a white guy to write a book about Hawaii without turning it into a bunch of exotifying ridiculousness. That said, annoyingly Molokai was a more gripping read.
James Houston likes librarians though.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love well written historical fiction! Most specially about early California. This book fit the bill and got me on a James D. Houston 'kick'.
I didn't know, at the time of reading it, of the early connection between Hawaii and California (Kaliponi). Mr Houston makes the 'real life' characters come alive, rather than writing about them in a 'dry, historical' sense.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combined two of my favorite things: Hawaii and historical fiction. This was a really engaging book and I tore through it quickly. I was disappointed that it ended - which is my favorite way to feel when I'm done... like there's so much more to be explored.