The Petrakis family lives in the small Greek seaside village of Plaka. Just off the coast is the tiny island of Spinalonga, where the nation's l... read full description
reviews
Dec 16, 2009
Fiona
rated it: 
I had great hopes that this would be a good book.
But life can be disappointing at times. This was one of the worst written books I have read in a long time. Chunks of unnecessarty exposition, character motivations eplained to the nth degree, dialogue avoided like...well, like it was leprosy.
If you like your characters spoon fed to you, and every meaningful scene ducked (I mean, why didn't we get to see the last evening she and her husband had together? What exactly did th More...
But life can be disappointing at times. This was one of the worst written books I have read in a long time. Chunks of unnecessarty exposition, character motivations eplained to the nth degree, dialogue avoided like...well, like it was leprosy.
If you like your characters spoon fed to you, and every meaningful scene ducked (I mean, why didn't we get to see the last evening she and her husband had together? What exactly did th More...
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Nov 08, 2007
Tara
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The story line of this book is pretty good... but it is the most poorly written book I've read in awhile. She explains things - emotions, plot lines - to a level where she's beating you over the head with it and every sentence has about three adjectives too many. You'll want to finish it to find out what happens, but her writing style will drive you nuts while you do.
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Oct 10, 2011
Lance Greenfield
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The background to this story is so well researched that you feel as if it is a truthful account of events surrounding the lives of those suffering from leprosy in Crete during the Second World War, and their families and friends. There is love and tragedy, betrayal and loyalty, deceit and courage.
Thankfully, both medicinal science and the attitude of society to serious illness have made massive advances since those days.
Once you have started reading this book, you will be More...
Thankfully, both medicinal science and the attitude of society to serious illness have made massive advances since those days.
Once you have started reading this book, you will be More...
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Feb 08, 2008
Niki
rated it:
This book was awesome. I read it on my honeymoon, while I was laying on the beach, and I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in two days. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in European history. I learned a ton about leprosy and the stigma associated with the disease. I think we all know a bit about leprosy, but it was really enlightening about the overall topic, especially since it is still an epidemic in many third world countries. The female characters were also ve
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Jan 29, 2009
Emily
rated it:
The story is about a young career girl who is headed to Greece with her boyfriend on a vacation, but her mother's family and past is from, but never discussed at home. Being so close to her mother's past Alexis asks her mother for permission to go and find out about her past, she is lead to the small village of Plaka and the village tavern keeper, an old family friend who tells Alexis the story of her family for the past three generations. The rest of the book is about the past. We follow Eleni,
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Jun 03, 2011
Sheila
rated it:
Beautifully imagined, well-researched and evocatively told, Victoria Hislop’s The Island recreates a leper colony of the 1930s and follows its inmates and neighbors on the Island of Crete through the Second World War to the present day. The theme of searching for identity is well-served as the author follows characters whose identities have been stolen by disease—some losing their physical self-image, others half-destroyed mentally by loss of family and friends. The agony of ostracism, the fear
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Nov 24, 2010
Kristal
rated it: 
The story begins with Alexis, a modern-day woman who embarks on a holiday with her boyfriend, hoping to create some major changes in not only her own life but her relationship as well. She has decided to go to Plaka in Crete, where her mother, Sofia, grew up. Her mother has always shrouded her past and refuses to speak of it, causing an aura of mystery that entices Alexis rather than push her away. Once her mother discovers her daughters plans, the most she can summons is a letter for Alexis to
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Nov 14, 2009
Faith
rated it: 
On reading the synopsis on the back cover, I thought The Island was going to be a fab read. Sadly it did not live up to my expectations.
The intro was a trifle long-winded and a poor reason for getting the storyline started. Once we had the flashback to the previous 1 or 2 generations, the story began to get better and more interesting. The middle was almost riveting in parts and I began to get absorbed into the story better.
However, once things began to change (for the better) for th More...
The intro was a trifle long-winded and a poor reason for getting the storyline started. Once we had the flashback to the previous 1 or 2 generations, the story began to get better and more interesting. The middle was almost riveting in parts and I began to get absorbed into the story better.
However, once things began to change (for the better) for th More...
Sep 18, 2009
Tara
rated it: 
I enjoyed this novel so much that halfway thru it I ordered Victoria Hislop's next book. The writing style is fantastic. The descriptions are eloquent without being pompous or overdone. The characters are like everyday people, if a bit exagerated. It starts with Alexis, a young woman trying to get to the bottom of her mother's strange and mysterious past while vacationing in Crete. I would like to note here that it is NOT like the "Forgotten Garden" for those of you that are not fond o
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Jul 10, 2009
Winifred
rated it:
The novel begins in present day London where Alexis is about to go on holiday and to decide on major changes to her life. She’s going to Plaka in Crete, the place where her mother, Sofia, grew up. Her mother refuses to speak about her past but she gives Alexis a letter to give to an old friend, Fortina who will tell her the story.
As she questions her mother’s friend, Alexis uncovers the family secrets and her mother's, her grandmother's, and her great-grandmother's past and their con More...
As she questions her mother’s friend, Alexis uncovers the family secrets and her mother's, her grandmother's, and her great-grandmother's past and their con More...
Jan 08, 2012
Steve
rated it:
Alexis, on holiday in Crete, goes on holiday to Crete and seeks out an old friend of her mother's. Her mother would never talk about her past, growing up on Crete, and Alexis hopes to get some answers. She travels to Plaka, and while there is transfixed by the island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony.[return][return]This is a really great book. I was interested in the character of Alexis immediately, however the majority of the book was a flashback to more than 50 years ago, telling the story
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Dec 15, 2010
Mrsgaskell
rated it:
This was an absorbing and thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved the setting, Crete and the island of Spinalonga, a leper colony until 1957. I didn’t know much about the history of leprosy in more recent times, and found that extremely interesting.
Alexis Fielding has been raised in England and her mother, Sofia, has always been secretive about her past. Alexis travels to Greece where a family friend reveals the history of her great-grandparents and their family. I found the stories of More...
Alexis Fielding has been raised in England and her mother, Sofia, has always been secretive about her past. Alexis travels to Greece where a family friend reveals the history of her great-grandparents and their family. I found the stories of More...
Mar 27, 2010
Khaya
rated it:
"You must pay the rent!" the evil villain roared, twirling his diabolical mustache. He was her landlord, and he was an impatient man.
"But I can't pay the rent!" swooned the beautiful, hapless heroine. She was his tenant. Her breathtaking beauty was matched only by her saintliness. She was always being taken advantage of by the wicked people around her, yet she was committed to remaining good.
"You must pay the rent!"
"But I can't More...
"But I can't pay the rent!" swooned the beautiful, hapless heroine. She was his tenant. Her breathtaking beauty was matched only by her saintliness. She was always being taken advantage of by the wicked people around her, yet she was committed to remaining good.
"You must pay the rent!"
"But I can't More...
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Dec 11, 2009
LindyLouMac
rated it:
This is yet another novel that languished on my bookshelves waiting to be read for far too long. A fictional story of a families ties to a real life setting.
Sofia and her daughter Alexis are not the heroines of this book as the blurb on the cover might lead you to believe but the descendants of this mother and daughter most certainly are the real protagonists. Sofia had always felt humiliated by her past and kept it hidden from her husband and children for many years. It is only af More...
Sofia and her daughter Alexis are not the heroines of this book as the blurb on the cover might lead you to believe but the descendants of this mother and daughter most certainly are the real protagonists. Sofia had always felt humiliated by her past and kept it hidden from her husband and children for many years. It is only af More...
Jan 08, 2012
Aimee
rated it:
I know that some people will think 5 stars may be too much as it is only a 'beach read' but I really do think it's amazing, it's a story within a story, which I just love, beach read kind of implies that it's easy and you don't have to think too much but last summer I was reading Angel and Demons on the beach and that is definitely not a beach read so that theory is stupid.
The characters are amazing and I find I constantly switch allegiances to different characters which I think proves how More...
The characters are amazing and I find I constantly switch allegiances to different characters which I think proves how More...
Feb 15, 2010
Bethanie
rated it:
I did enjoy this book. However I did not think that it was deserving of 5 stars. Personally I like books with a bit more mystery. Yes, it did have some but the end was not unexpected, I was not shocked. Exactly what I wanted to happen happened. I think that what makes a good book is the ending, when the reader gasps and says 'No way'. Thats what made Rebecca and Jane eyre brilliant and the even more obvious Agatha Christie! All of her books are about the ending, the fact that no matter how hard
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Aug 15, 2011
Shutterbug_iconium
rated it:
I think the Island could have been a better book if it were not just full of stereotypical and clichéd characterization. The writer goes to such lengths to explain you, the poor reader, what it really motivated her characters to act so. She takes on a divine attitude and tells you that a passionate, beautiful, frivolous girl but unfaithful girl like Anna should just meet her retribution in the bullets fired by the pistol of her husband, and her illegitimate daughter should just turn her back on
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May 03, 2010
Greg
rated it:
I was given this book as a game from Kindleboards.com to read books outside the normal comfort zone.
Despite the easy predictability and functional prose, I rather enjoyed this novel as casual reading, even though its is well outside my normal range of interest, and it should probably classified under "women's fiction" or some other similar grouping. My biggest complaint about it is the general lack of detail and atmosphere. Although significant parts where set around the More...
Despite the easy predictability and functional prose, I rather enjoyed this novel as casual reading, even though its is well outside my normal range of interest, and it should probably classified under "women's fiction" or some other similar grouping. My biggest complaint about it is the general lack of detail and atmosphere. Although significant parts where set around the More...
Oct 03, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
I really loved this book. I took it on holiday and became totally engrossed. Dont think "beach book" should be on the cover definately more than that. The story centres on the lepa island of Spinalonga. A remarkable story of the courage and plight of the inhabitants over 2 generations. With such an uncertain future to stay so committed and focussed on improving conditions for all is so humbling to read. The result a thriving community even becoming the envy of the mainland. I have noth
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Feb 25, 2008
Mandy
rated it:
This was a really fascinating look into leprosy as well as Greek culture during a major turning point in history. It was full of all the drama you could want, along with all the history to pull you(at least me) into the fascinating world of the Greek. I've always wanted to go there and this book just increased the desire by ten-fold.
Aug 27, 2007
Koppelman
rated it:
I often pick up a cheesy paperback that's on the bestseller list only to be briefly entertained, often disgusted, and usually disappointed. HOWEVER, I loved The Island. I became so interested in the leper colonies of Greece that I've read several other books on the subject now (though nonfiction). Great story and fascinating premise.
Aug 04, 2011
Helen
rated it:
Read this one at work, as lighter relief from Milton at home. It was OK, I suppose. All family trials and tribultions. Has Alexis debating of she wants to spend the rest of her life with Ed, who is superficially perfect, but sounds like an arse to me. However she, frankly, is a bit drippy too. Her mother has never spoken about her family or upbringing, but on a visit to Crete, she visits the village of her mother's birth, and finds out the long story from a friend of her mother's. the modern sto
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Jul 23, 2010
My reasons for reading this book seemed a bit suspect to me. I had only picked it up because friends of mine had just been in Greece (is that a rationale for reading something?) and I have an interest in leprosy. I know, that is a bit weird, but I have been curious about Hansen's disease since childhood.
So, I read some reviews. I did not find them to be compelling, but figured what was one more book for our vacation. My husband expects a heavy box of books.
I am so gla More...
So, I read some reviews. I did not find them to be compelling, but figured what was one more book for our vacation. My husband expects a heavy box of books.
I am so gla More...
Sep 13, 2009
Fran
rated it:
I picked this dog-eared book up in the free box at the library sale and was mesmerized by it. 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, Al More...
Arriving in Plaka, Al More...
Jan 15, 2012
Leah
rated it:
Alexis wants to find out the truth about her mother's past. Her mother, being reluctant in sharing her past, gives her old friend Fotini the task of telling Alexis the truth about her mother's family. It is an inspiring story, proving that even heart-breaking tragedy can be overcome.
The visit to the past begins with Alexis's great-grandmother, Eleni, and how she is diagnosed with leprosy and exiled to the island of Spinalonga, a leprosy colony. Leaving behind everything she knows, sh More...
The visit to the past begins with Alexis's great-grandmother, Eleni, and how she is diagnosed with leprosy and exiled to the island of Spinalonga, a leprosy colony. Leaving behind everything she knows, sh More...
Jun 09, 2011
Biogeek
rated it:
According to the cover of the book, The Observer called this a "A beach book with a heart". It definitely is a beach book. A meandering family saga set in a coastal village in Crete. The eponymous island is the last leper colony in Greece and sits just off the village shore. I usually love books with family secrets revealed, and coastal Greece is always a great backdrop, but Hislop's novel unfortunately is surprisingly predictable with none of the secrets enough to hold my attention. E
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Feb 28, 2011
Michele
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This book is a tale of two generations of women who have been affected by leprosy. Eleni is the first woman in the family to be affected by leprosy and is exiled to the island of Spinalonga after she is diagnosed. She has two daughters Maria and Anna who are different from each other. Maria is the one who looks after her father when her mother leaves while Anna dreams of leaving their village behind. The book opens when Eleni’s great granddaughter, Alexis travels to the village where her fa
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Apr 23, 2009
Jacquelynn
rated it:
The Island was an interesting topic, and one that I would have known nothing about, had I not read the book. I am assuming that Victoria Hislop has researched it and knows what she’s talking about. It is astonishing to hear that there was a leper colony in a place like Greece, not so very many years ago. One has a very different picture of lepers, and this was an eye opener.
Initially, though, I was not very happy with VH’s prose. Clichés like ‘eyes shining like diamonds’ leapt of More...
Initially, though, I was not very happy with VH’s prose. Clichés like ‘eyes shining like diamonds’ leapt of More...
May 17, 2011
Kate
rated it:
This book was thought provoking. It was startling to hear the details of Leprosy affecting lives barely over 50 years ago. More startling still to know that throughout the world it is still a disease that mutilates and kills. Aside from the horror of the disease, the story itself is a beautiful one. Lives being destroyed, then being built again from the ashes. I suppose that's how lives generally are - though not usually in such a dramatic way.
Having a child with a thus far incurabl More...
Having a child with a thus far incurabl More...
Aug 02, 2009
Weebly
rated it:
This was the WI book club read for August, and was a Richard and Judy Summer read from the past. It came highly recommended.
This was not at all what I expected, but I am not sure why. The book is set on Crete in a small village which provides the gateway to an island called Spinalonga which was a Leper Colony for Crete during half of the last century.
The characters were very well written, and the story kept me interested and engaged, so much so I read this 470 ish page book More...
This was not at all what I expected, but I am not sure why. The book is set on Crete in a small village which provides the gateway to an island called Spinalonga which was a Leper Colony for Crete during half of the last century.
The characters were very well written, and the story kept me interested and engaged, so much so I read this 470 ish page book More...
