Land Without Mirrors

by Marina Brown

On an idyllic Trinidadian island just before the outbreak of WWII, three children on the brink of adolescence struggle with what it means to live in a community solely inhabited by lepers and their caretakers-and whether they too are among the infected. While some in authority engage in strange experiments ostensibly meant to find the cause of Hansen's disease, others harbor dark secrets of violence. Whether a powerful priest or an enigmatic nun will win in their dangerous power struggle has grave implications for the three youths and their yearning for a different life. In a tale that spans nearly fifteen years, and moves from the mystical intrigues of Chacachacare's isolated Hindu culture, to Cartagena, Columbia, and finally, to Port of Spain, surprising twists of fate weave, unravel, and at last, bind the three young people together. Though the ominous undercurrent of World War II, the social changes affecting the Caribbean, and the intense search for a cure for leprosy wash throughout the tale, Land Without Mirrors is at heart a love story-mothers for their children; men for power and fame; and a sweet first love that grows to maturity.

310 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[S.R. Staley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book club read--layered characters, complex story lines, love, betrayal, revenge. Read my review for the Tallahassee Democrat, http://blogs.tallahassee.com/communit...

[Alison]

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