Review – The Island, by Victoria Hislop

~ At last – a beach book with a heart ~ Observer

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 at 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 …

(from the back cover of the Island)

I chanced upon ‘the island’ when I was browsing through the promo section of Borders; what triggered me to buy was the good deal, mainly that the Zahir was among the books in the selection … and the Island wasn’t really something I crazed to buy.

As they say, fate has its funny ways of moving our decisions and among the books selected was the Island, along with Harmony Silk Factory. And after reading the Island, I guess it’s something of a nice surprise to read … and while not revealing too much with the plot, I must say that the story unfold itself and grows on you. It’s very much something we may have seen on TV before, but I would say that it’s much better than Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, (another Greek-y movie) in the sense the plot carries more than just a love story. Yes, it has remnants of WWII, yes, some love elements, but more than just 2 characters … and while it started off with just too many characters … the connection slowly binds everyone into an amalgam.

It’s not a Coelho work of self confrontation, but it’s more about what lies beneath, what’s concealed, does not mean it’s not there, what tragic may be a change of destiny, in a way, for something more worthwhile and deeper … and while fate is ironic & cruel, the story does remind us that the shining human spirit in adversity brings out and brings together the most fated unions.

If you read it, you shall also insight into the world of lepers, something we ordinary mortals are ignorant of, but once you read, you’ll understand.

Victoria Hislop’s work is amazing & I do recommend this read, in those rainy evenings with nice music or the laze under the swaying trees and hammocks … a book for all seasons.