"Something a bit different, a bit special."
I came to this wonderful book late in the day – the idea of reading a book about an island set aside for leprosy sufferers at a time when there was no cure available, just didn’t seem like the sort of uplifting book I enjoy.
How wrong can you be? Very, it turns out.
Alexis Fielding is eager to learn about her mother’s family, when she arrives in Greece, she becomes fascinated with a connection to the island of Spinalonga, the former leprosy colony. The books goes from present to past, it details the lives of Elena and her daughters. The past is shrouded in secrets and lies, jealousy and tragedy but above all, it is a story of love and kindness and the courageousness of spirit is truly heartening. It is, I have to say, an unlikely beach read, there were times when it undid me, emotionally – pain and separation slid from the page in abundance as I read some sections. However, I was absolutely rooting for several of the main characters and the author did not let me down. Ultimately, there is hope and of course, the fact that we’re reading it from present to past, means we know that somehow things panned out and they do… of course, you’ll have to read it to find out how exactly!
A 2013 World Book Night selection.
Winner of Newcomer of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2007.
Something a bit different, a bit special. A well-researched family history which takes the present day characters back to Crete and the horrors of leprosy. From 1939 to today we follow a tragic and eventful story with believable characters and a believable storyline. I really enjoyed it. Incidentally she is Ian Hislop’s wife.
Similar this month: Joseph Boyden, Rachel Hore.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother`s past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more.
Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone`s throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece`s former leper colony. Then she finds Fortini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip...
The Island features in the following genres: eBooks of the Month, Recommendations, Family Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance / Relationship Stories, Fiction
The Island is available in Paperback, CD-Audio, Paperback (b Format)
The Island was written by Victoria Hislop and published by Headline Review an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
The Island has 496 pages
£8.99
