Honolulu by Allan Brennert

OK.  This one has taken me by surprise.  I was expecting the all-too-common approach to historical fiction with too little development and too much dialogue or too much background, but instead encountered a really well-balanced story.  Set in pre-World War I, this is the story of Korean women and their plight at that time, and the brave choice of some of these  young women to find a better life as "picture brides" to Korean men living on Oahu.  The characters are alive.  Even if you are not usually an historical fiction fan, I think you'll like this one.  Somewhat reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha (Golden).