Magnetic and haunting, Extinction Capital of the World offers a striking exploration of Hawai�i, delving into themes of family, queer love, and community in the context of imperialism and environmental degradation.
In ten compelling and vivid stories, Mariah Rigg takes readers on a journey through modern Hawai�i. These narratives intertwine heartbreak and hope, providing poignant reflections on love, longing, and loss while confronting the lingering shadows of colonization in a fragile ecosystem that faces ongoing threats.
Among the stories, an older man wrestles with the implications of American weapons testing on a nearby island that shapes his existence. A pregnant woman, searching for a sense of belonging, forages for flowers in the rainforest alongside her partner's mother. Two teenage girls discover romance during a summer on Midway Atoll, and a young woman returns to O�ahu post-breakup, seeking reconnection with both her estranged father and the island itself.
Interwoven with common themes of place and character, Rigg�s tales highlight the exploitation and commercialization of Hawai�i within the American narrative. Extinction Capital of the World serves as an environmental homage to the Hawaiian Islands and offers a poignant portrayal of their inhabitants, heralding the emergence of a fresh and exciting voice in contemporary fiction.