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Loading... The Island (original 2005; edition 2006)by Victoria Hislop
Work InformationThe Island by Victoria Hislop (2005)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. An excellent debut novel, mainly set in the past, with the hook of a young woman finding out about her family history. The setting is Crete, and particularly Spinalonga where there was a leper colony for many years. Perhaps the author paints too rosy a picture of life there, but there are plenty of deprivations shown, as well as the deep trauma of permanent separation from one's loved ones, if there was any sign of leprosy. Very well written, thought-provoking and a lot of insights into a life and situation I knew almost nothing about. Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-island-by-victoria-hislop.html [This is a review I wrote in 2007] When I first picked up the book and started reading I thought the first two chapters were quite stilted and hesitant, almost as if they had been written as an afterthought, but carry on reading and you're rewarded with the main body of the story which I just couldn't put down. Essentially the book follows the story of Alexis, who has gone to Plaka in Crete to find out about her mother's Cretan family. Begininng with Alexis's great-grandmother Eleni, trace the history through her daughters Anna and Maria in wartime Crete, and find amongst it all a history that is richly interwoven with the small island of Spinalonga off the coast of Plaka, a former leper colony. With wonderfully rich descriptions, this is a moving page-turner - great for a holiday read, or any kind of read if you haven't got a beach holiday on the horizon. A brilliant first novel. 8/10: An enjoyable and moving read, though I thought the modern 'bookends' to the story were unnecessary, and added little. I would have preferred the writer to concentrate on the story of Spinalonga. An appendix that gave a brief history of real-life Spinalonga would have also been very helpful. That's the problem with historical fiction that has some basis in reality. You're never quite sure what you've learned. no reviews | add a review
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The million-copy number one bestseller 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 Fotini, 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... No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.92Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 2000-LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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This is a very engaging book, which combines contemporary relationship and family drama with well- researched and well- written historical fiction. The family issues were very relatable!
I couldn't put it down. I was completely transported to Crete, and cared about Maria, Anna & Sophia.
Wonderful, read it!!! ( )