Melal: A Novel of the Pacific

Originally from California, I have lived in the Marshall Islands, and I speak the Marshallese language. L'etao and other demigods were familiar as names, but Barclay's novel drew me much deeper into the Marshallese psyche. Barclay also captures the personal side of the controversial use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US army missile testing -- "Star Wars" -- site. This should be required reading for anyone -- Peace Corps Volunteer, teacher, missionary, health worker, etc. -- who plans to live in the Marshall Islands.

For me a great book is one where I keep going back and rereading to clarify or deepen my understanding of sections, and to put off starting another book because it was so fully satisfying. I have travelled may times to French Polynesia, Bali and Southeast Asia and somehow thought the Americans treated their "protectorates" somewhat better than the European countries--this book was a rude awakening to me. This is a part of our nuclear history I never gave much thought to, nor has there been adequate coverage of the evils of Nuclear Testing--I kept being shoked that these things were hapeening in the '60s and still in the '80s. Reading this was like a gunny sack to the head--hey, there were people on those island, DUH. I liked the book from the start, but had some problems with all the names of gods and demons. At times the sheer ugliness of some of the images would overwhelm me, but then it would become clear what the author was trying to relate in a beautiful metaphor or a shocking parallel. These passages would be balanced by the many lyrical passages, compelling images and exciting story lines. I was left thinking about so many aspects of modern versus traditional life. There are almost too many images overlaping in layers to do a review service, but a couple of my favorites were the adventure with the dolphins in the fountain (with a whole other perspective about the use of dolphins opened to me), and the Good Friday incident with the statue of Jesus. By the end I kept jumping back to the mythological stories, very unlike any I have encountered before and was pbusy reviewong the many paradigm shifts I had to make during the reading. Satisfying and fulfilling on every level.

Every morning, Rujen Keju takes the 3-mile ferry ride from his home on Ebeye in the Marshall islands where he lives in squalor, to his job at the sewage plant at Kwajalein, the American-run island which is off-limits to him after the workday. He's accepted this as his way of life, and his older teen-age son, Jebro, is supposed to start working there also after the weekend. By the end of the day, however, he and his two sons come face to face with challenges, which will change their outlook forever. It just happens to be Good Friday, 1981 and the symbolism of that day is one of the many intertwining themes in this novel by first-time author Robert Barclay.Rujen encounters a series of mishaps that day, including having his work-boots stolen, and the reader is drawn into his story as he goes through the day, trying to conform to what is expected of him and looking forward to his volunteer job as an usher at the Catholic church later. In the meantime, his son Jebro and his younger brother Nuke, set out on a small boat to visit the homeland of their grandfather, a small island which has been declared off-limits to Marshallese people. To add another dimension to the story is the magical tale of mischief-making gods and demons appearing as characters who play tricks on each other.The story is told through alternative chapters, turning a flashlight on one harsh reality after another as the characters struggle through their day. And yet, there is sense of humor throughout, as we see each character's strengths, weaknesses, complexity and growth. Everyone is breaking some sort of minor law, including three American teenagers who are cutting school and out fishing that day. Their encounter with the two young brothers is both frightening and inspiring as they, too, learn a lot from the day's events.I was immediately drawn into the writing and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and I loved the situation. I also gained understanding of the history as well as and myths and legends that define the Marshall Islanders as a people. I usually don't like books that include magical characters, but these were so outrageous that they held my attention completely. The author is great at description and he lets himself go really wild as he describes the demons. Another theme throughout is scatological which addresses the very real issue of sewage management on the islands. And then there are the themes of father and sons, and Good Friday suffering. But best of all is the theme of love and camaraderie and lessons learned.This book is a small gem that not only taught me a lot, but also made me think. Even the conclusion, which is indeed satisfactory, is something that gave me even more food for thought. I hope to hear more about this author, who now lives on Hawaii. His is fresh clear voice brings reveals some universal themes. Highly recommended.

A beautifully realized novel which goes far beyond a voyeuristic account of the subjugation of the Marshallese by Americans and its use of the islanders as nuclear guinea pigs with its terrific characters, a terrifying plot and mythological monster gods who vie with Grendel in amusement and disgust.

Admittedly, I'm not 100% objective about Melal. I grew up on Kwajalein and attended high school with the author. However, Melal is an incredible work of fiction. It is part adventure, part mythology and part commentary on the human condition. One dimension of the story takes place in 1981 as Rujen Keju and his two sons confront that unique Marshallese heritage that includes the legacy of atomic testing and the relationship with the American community on Kwajalein. The other dimension is timeless, based on the complicated Marshallese mythology of dwarfs, spirits and demons. Robert's descriptions of life on Kwajalein struck a cord within me - one I thought I had put to rest years ago. His descriptive prose will offer you an unique perspective on Pacific island life where the ocean is more prevelant and often more revelent than land. My highest praise for a novel is that I "cannot stop reading" and that when I finish I immediately begin re-reading passages. Melal fulfilled both. It forced me to explore my perspective on the Marshallese people and to remember friends, both American and Marshallese. If you enjoy myths, legends, adventure, fishing, travel or just want to read a book with incredible prose - try Melal!