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Ember Island
A riveting story of secrets and scandal
1890: Orphaned as a small child, Tilly Kirkland found a loving, safe home with her grandfather in Dorset. But nineteenth-century England is an unforgiving place for a young woman with limited means and as her grandfather's health fails, it seems perfect timing that she meets Jasper Dellafore. Yet her new husband is not all he seems. Alone in the Channel Islands, Tilly finds her dream of a loving marriage is turning into a nightmare.
2012: Bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer's block and her disappointing personal life. Nothing is quite working. After a storm damages Starwater, her house on Ember Island, she decides to stay for a while and oversee the repairs: it s a perfect excuse to leave her problems behind her on the mainland. Then Nina discovers diary pages hidden in the walls of the old home. And a mystery unravels that she is determined to solve.
Though the two women are separated by years, Starwater House will alter the course of both their lives. Nina will find that secrets never stay buried and Tilly learns that what matters most is trusting your heart.
1890: Orphaned as a small child, Tilly Kirkland found a loving, safe home with her grandfather in Dorset. But nineteenth-century England is an unforgiving place for a young woman with limited means and as her grandfather's health fails, it seems perfect timing that she meets Jasper Dellafore. Yet her new husband is not all he seems. Alone in the Channel Islands, Tilly finds her dream of a loving marriage is turning into a nightmare.
2012: Bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer's block and her disappointing personal life. Nothing is quite working. After a storm damages Starwater, her house on Ember Island, she decides to stay for a while and oversee the repairs: it s a perfect excuse to leave her problems behind her on the mainland. Then Nina discovers diary pages hidden in the walls of the old home. And a mystery unravels that she is determined to solve.
Though the two women are separated by years, Starwater House will alter the course of both their lives. Nina will find that secrets never stay buried and Tilly learns that what matters most is trusting your heart.
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2013
50 people are currently reading
3592 people want to read
About the author
Kimberley Freeman
18 books690 followersPen name of Kim Wilkins.
Kimberley was born in London and her family moved back to Australia when she was three years old. She grew up in Queensland where she currently lives.
Kimberley has written for as long as she can remember and she is proud to write in many genres. She is an award-winning writer in children’s, historical and speculative fiction under her birth name Kim Wilkins. She adopted the pen name Kimberley Freeman for her commercial women’s fiction novels Duet and Gold Dust to honour her maternal grandmother and to try and capture the spirit of the page-turning novels she has always loved to read. Kim has an Honours degree, a Masters degree and a PhD from The University of Queensland where she is also a lecturer. She lives in Brisbane with her young family.
Kimberley was born in London and her family moved back to Australia when she was three years old. She grew up in Queensland where she currently lives.
Kimberley has written for as long as she can remember and she is proud to write in many genres. She is an award-winning writer in children’s, historical and speculative fiction under her birth name Kim Wilkins. She adopted the pen name Kimberley Freeman for her commercial women’s fiction novels Duet and Gold Dust to honour her maternal grandmother and to try and capture the spirit of the page-turning novels she has always loved to read. Kim has an Honours degree, a Masters degree and a PhD from The University of Queensland where she is also a lecturer. She lives in Brisbane with her young family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
March 7, 2016
Ember Island is a curl-up on your sofa book with a hot chocolate as readers are soon immersed in a heartfelt story written by bestselling author Kimberley Freeman. The author effortlessly goes between two stories beginning with Tilly Kirkland on her wedding day in 1891. Tilly is a vastly complex individual with a few character flaws, along with compassion and sensitivity towards others which eventually takes her down numerous paths of self destruction. Fast forward to the present day and we are introduced to Nina Jones, a writer who discovers her ancestor’s past from letters hidden in the walls during a renovation of her home in Australia. This novel is very well written as it easily flows along with an interesting and fascinating tale of two women and their complicated and difficult lives. Ember Island is an enjoyable, satisfying book and recommended to all readers.
November 30, 2017
3,5⭐
Ωραία ιστορία,με συμπαθητικους χαρακτήρες και πολλά μυστικά.Ξεχώρισα την Ελενορ με την Τιλη, τοσο έξυπνες και δυναμικές που δεν τις σταματούσε τιποτα!!
Σίγουρα θα διαβάσω και τον Λόφο με τα αγριολούλουδα, που εχω ακούσει οτι ειναι το καλύτερο της!!
Ωραία ιστορία,με συμπαθητικους χαρακτήρες και πολλά μυστικά.Ξεχώρισα την Ελενορ με την Τιλη, τοσο έξυπνες και δυναμικές που δεν τις σταματούσε τιποτα!!
Σίγουρα θα διαβάσω και τον Λόφο με τα αγριολούλουδα, που εχω ακούσει οτι ειναι το καλύτερο της!!
July 1, 2016
Ember Island is written in two time periods. The first time period is 1890 where we meet Tilly Kirkland, who was orphaned as a young child, but she was lucky enough to encounter a loving home with her grandfather. Unfortunately, as time passes her loving grandfather's health starts deteriorating and Tilly will have to come to terms of being left on her own. That is until she meets Jasper Dellafore who turns her life around. She believes Jasper is the love of her life, but after marrying him she soon learns she may have made a big mistake.
The second time period 2012 tells the story of Nina Jones a bestselling novelist who is struggling with writer's block. Having her Stillwater House on Ember Island damaged from a storm, Nina decides to stay whilst the repairs are being managed. For Nina this seems like a good way of escaping her problems. It is during this time that Nina comes across diary pages hidden in the wall of the old house. The more pages Nina reads, the more intrigued, she becomes and is determined to solve the mystery.
Ember Island was a thoroughly enjoyable read which was full of intrigue and mystery. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then you'll most definitely love this book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this book.
The second time period 2012 tells the story of Nina Jones a bestselling novelist who is struggling with writer's block. Having her Stillwater House on Ember Island damaged from a storm, Nina decides to stay whilst the repairs are being managed. For Nina this seems like a good way of escaping her problems. It is during this time that Nina comes across diary pages hidden in the wall of the old house. The more pages Nina reads, the more intrigued, she becomes and is determined to solve the mystery.
Ember Island was a thoroughly enjoyable read which was full of intrigue and mystery. If you enjoy reading historical fiction, then you'll most definitely love this book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending this book.
August 16, 2016
I had pretty low expectations for this book but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it! I always love it when a book flips between past and present, it just adds an extra something to the story for me. I found myself quite liking all the various characters as well, they each had special qualities that drew me to them. And to add to that, both storylines were excellent although I did enjoy the one from the past by far. It was way more exciting and I actually would have thoroughly enjoyed a book based solely on that storyline. But the one from the present did have its moments and I did like it as well. All in all, I all around loved this book!
March 8, 2018
In 1891, Tilly Kirkland grandfather dies and she marries Jasper Dellafore. Jasper dies by horrible circumstances leaving Tilly on the run. She changes her name and travels to Australia. Tilly becomes the governess to Nell, the daughter of Sterling Holt. He is the superintendent of Ember Island Government Facility (a prison). Nell keeps a diary, which she hides throughout Starwater House.
In 2012, Nina Jones is struggling to write her next book. She finds her great-grandmother's diary pages hidden in the stone work of Starwater House on Ember Island. She becomes intrigued by the diary pages and searches the house for more. Meanwhile, a journalist, hinting at plagiarism, is hounding Nina about her Widow Wayland novel.
Kimberly Freeman writes in two timelines, which are separated by more than a hundred years. The stories of Tilly and Nina are about secrets and second chances. The characters are expertly developed and rendered. The plot and subplots have plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. I would have like the ending to Tilly's timeline to have been more developed, but that is me. Overall, I would recommend this book.
In 2012, Nina Jones is struggling to write her next book. She finds her great-grandmother's diary pages hidden in the stone work of Starwater House on Ember Island. She becomes intrigued by the diary pages and searches the house for more. Meanwhile, a journalist, hinting at plagiarism, is hounding Nina about her Widow Wayland novel.
Kimberly Freeman writes in two timelines, which are separated by more than a hundred years. The stories of Tilly and Nina are about secrets and second chances. The characters are expertly developed and rendered. The plot and subplots have plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. I would have like the ending to Tilly's timeline to have been more developed, but that is me. Overall, I would recommend this book.
May 28, 2016
Ειναι φορές που τα λόγια ειναι φτωχά για να περιγράψουν τα συναισθήματα που βιώνεις όταν διαβάζεις ένα βιβλίο...Αυτό ακριβώς έπαθα και εγω με το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο! Θέλω να προσπαθήσω να μοιραστώ μαζι σας τα συναισθηματα που μου αφησε, φοβάμαι όμως οτι ειναι αδύνατον...Υπέροχες μαγικές περιγραφες που σε μεταφέρουν με απόλυτη επιτυχία σε μια αλλη εποχή με μια ιστορία που πραγματικά καθηλώνει ι!!Με μεγάλη μαεστρία ξεδιπλώνεται η υπόθεση με τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να χαρίσει και στον πιο απαιτητικό αναγνώστη μια αξέχαστη απόλαυση .το 1/3 ειναι γραμμένο στη σημερινή εποχη και τα 2/3 του βιβλίου αφιερωμένα στην ιστορία της Τίλι. Αυτή κρατάει τα σκήπτρα !!Με μάγεψε!!!
November 4, 2013
I get all excited when I hear a new Kimberley Freeman novel is due out. I know I’m in for a real page-turning delight, with a delicious mix of mystery, romance, history and family drama. These are books I like to clear some space for, because I know that once I pick one up I’m utterly compelled to keep on reading till the very end. ‘Ember Island’ was no exception. It weaves together the story of Tilly Kirkland, newly married to a man of secrets in the Channel Islands in 1890; and the story of bestselling novelist Nina Jones, who retreats to a small Queensland island in 2012 in an attempt to heal her broken heart and overcome her crippling writer’s block. The two stories touch as Nina discovers old diary pages hidden in the walls of her dilapidated old house …
March 16, 2019
3.5/5
Είναι ένα βιβλίο ευκολοδιάβαστο, που φεύγει πολύ γρήγορα. Έχει γρήγορη πλοκή, παρόλο που είναι 552 σελίδες κ φοβήθηκα πως θα κάνει κοιλιά. Άρτια δομημένοι οι χαρακτήρες, με διαφορετικές ιδιότητες κ βασικούς ρόλους στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας.
Η αλήθεια είναι επίσης, πως σου προκαλεί ποικίλα συναισθήματα. Μίσησα άτομα, αγάπησα, λάτρεψα, συμπόνεσα, λυπήθηκα. Κάποιοι ήταν κυριολέκτικα για λύπηση!
Αυτό όμως είναι κ το μυστικό! Ένα βιβλίο πρέπει να σου διεγείρει τη φαντασία κ συνάμα πολλά συναισθήματα. Ο αναγνώστης είναι ο παρατηρητής των ιστοριών, εισβάλει σε κάθε σκηνή κ επιθυμεί να αποτελέσει μέρος της, να μπει στην ψυχοσύνθεση του ήρωα, να βιώσει όλες τις εμπειρίες των ηρώων, να ενεργοποιήσει κάθε του κύτταρο.
Θα έβαζα 4, αλλά ίσως μ αυτόν τον τρόπο αδικούσα βιβλία που αγγίζουν την τελειότητα!
Είναι ένα βιβλίο ευκολοδιάβαστο, που φεύγει πολύ γρήγορα. Έχει γρήγορη πλοκή, παρόλο που είναι 552 σελίδες κ φοβήθηκα πως θα κάνει κοιλιά. Άρτια δομημένοι οι χαρακτήρες, με διαφορετικές ιδιότητες κ βασικούς ρόλους στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας.
Η αλήθεια είναι επίσης, πως σου προκαλεί ποικίλα συναισθήματα. Μίσησα άτομα, αγάπησα, λάτρεψα, συμπόνεσα, λυπήθηκα. Κάποιοι ήταν κυριολέκτικα για λύπηση!
Αυτό όμως είναι κ το μυστικό! Ένα βιβλίο πρέπει να σου διεγείρει τη φαντασία κ συνάμα πολλά συναισθήματα. Ο αναγνώστης είναι ο παρατηρητής των ιστοριών, εισβάλει σε κάθε σκηνή κ επιθυμεί να αποτελέσει μέρος της, να μπει στην ψυχοσύνθεση του ήρωα, να βιώσει όλες τις εμπειρίες των ηρώων, να ενεργοποιήσει κάθε του κύτταρο.
Θα έβαζα 4, αλλά ίσως μ αυτόν τον τρόπο αδικούσα βιβλία που αγγίζουν την τελειότητα!
March 12, 2018
I so enjoyed this book - my second by Kimberley Freeman. It pulled me in from the very first page. It had a few twists that were absolutely as good as twists get. It is set in different eras and flows nicely but my favorite timeline is the 1890s era. The characters in that era are believable, strong and brave. The modern day story has some small coincidences that were a bit too good but they were very minor. A 4.5 star fabulous read!
April 25, 2014
To be a woman in the 1800’s had no "perks." Women were trained solely for marriage.
Tilly Kirkland was an 1800's woman and definitely didn't know what she was getting into when she married Jasper. Jasper offered her a beautiful home and a wonderful life. What Tilly was really offered was infidelity and cruelty. Who would blame Tilly for wanting to leave and start a new life somewhere else?
Tilly made her move to Ember Island to become a governess for Nell, but the secret she carried about the reason for the move out of her husband's home and the incident that occurred plagued her for her entire life. Precocious Nell kept an eye on Tilly because she knew something wasn't right and also that something was right when it came to her father and Tilly.
Could Nell figure out what constantly troubled Tilly? What would Nell find out about Tilly? What would Tilly teach Nell? What would Ember Island teach Tilly?
EMBER ISLAND moves from events that took place in Australia in 1891 both in Tilly's life and Nell's life to the present day where secrets were hidden in the walls of a family homestead that Tilly lived in during the time she was governess to Nell. The connection between the characters from both time periods is marvelous.
What were these secrets that had been written down? How did it come about that were they hidden in the walls and found by the current homeowner, Nina, who was an author?
EMBER ISLAND was absorbing, the writing was beautiful, the characters were well developed as well as deep, the characters were very authentic, and the storyline kept me turning the pages...especially the ending. :)
EMBER ISLAND is made up of secrets, guilt, hidden journals, love, and finding oneself.
Don't miss reading EMBER ISLAND. It is spectacular. :) 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher in return for an honest review.
March 29, 2014
Absolutely loved it! Thanks to Goodreads member Kathy for recommending this book to me :)
Alternating between the late1800's in the English Channel Islands and the present day on an island in Moreton Bay Australia, this story flows seamlessly between the two eras as a family mystery is unravelled bit by bit at just the right intervals to keep the story flowing beautifully and captivate the readers' interest...all the time building to complete the mystery and describe it's relevance to present day events.
It can sometimes be annoying when you are getting deeply involved in a story and then be suddenly thrust into another era, but Kimberley Freeman does a fine job of making this transition smooth and even welcome as the relevance is important to the moment.
The story is wonderfully complex without seeming overly complicated, and the characters are likeable and despicable accordingly, but always convincing.
This is a very fine and detailed work of historical fiction that is hard to put down, and easily up there with the best, I read it in three very enjoyable sittings.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it, I also look forward to reading more from this author...Kimberley Freeman.
5★s
May 19, 2023
4.5 stars
A beautiful historical romance story which kept me hooked. Enjoyed the two time periods, 2012 and 1891, I found both absorbing. Both stories are situated on the same fictional island off the east coast of Australia, called Ember Island. Loved the characters (except for the one that treated Tilly badly, scary guy), the prison island setting and the lovely descriptions.
Listened to the audio version via the BorrowBox app
Published by Bolinda audio
Narrated by Jennifer Vuletic
Duration: 13 hours, 9 minutes 1.25x Speed
A beautiful historical romance story which kept me hooked. Enjoyed the two time periods, 2012 and 1891, I found both absorbing. Both stories are situated on the same fictional island off the east coast of Australia, called Ember Island. Loved the characters (except for the one that treated Tilly badly, scary guy), the prison island setting and the lovely descriptions.
Listened to the audio version via the BorrowBox app
Published by Bolinda audio
Narrated by Jennifer Vuletic
Duration: 13 hours, 9 minutes 1.25x Speed
August 13, 2017
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. This is the first time I've read anything by this author and I was pulled into the story right away.
It's a dual time line story. One story is set in the late 1800s and the other is modern day.
I think what I enjoyed the most was it was never predictable in my opinion. There were times I suspected blah was going to happen and I was wrong. There was a twist at the end I also did not expect.
It took me a while to read but only because I was reading it in the car when I went places, not at all because I wasn't interested.
I will check out more books by this author for sure!
It's a dual time line story. One story is set in the late 1800s and the other is modern day.
I think what I enjoyed the most was it was never predictable in my opinion. There were times I suspected blah was going to happen and I was wrong. There was a twist at the end I also did not expect.
It took me a while to read but only because I was reading it in the car when I went places, not at all because I wasn't interested.
I will check out more books by this author for sure!
October 12, 2015
This is a dual storyline book. In 1891 Tilly marries Jasper in England. The marriage doesn't get off to a good start and when it finally does start, bad things happen. Tilly has to leave and she ends up in Australia as governess to Nell. In 2012 we meetNell's great granddaughter, Nina, a successful author suffering from writer's block.
I do enjoy Freeman's books. This is my third by her and my favorite so far. It does suffer from the same problem I had with the previous two (Wildflower Hill and Lighthouse Bay) in that I just can't get into the present day story. However, in Ember Island the present day story is only about 20-25% of the book. Plus, as a bonus, some of Nell's diary from when she was 12 years old is revealed in the present day story. I really liked reading Nell's diary pages. Nell was a smart, energetic young girl...and very observant.
Tilly's story was quite good and parts were very exciting. The one little nitpick I had about Tilly was I grew tired of her second-guessing her thoughts and actions. She always wanted to put all blame on herself. She came off as too much of a doormat. But overall the story set in the past worked very well and I always was looking forward to what would happen next.
As far as Nina's story goes, oh my, I just didn't enjoy it. And her big secret was awful. I do not see how it could be glossed over so easily...by everyone! It's just not acceptable in any way, shape or form. In the end, I enjoyed Tilly's story so much that I didn't let Nina's bad behavior detract from my rating.
I do enjoy Freeman's books. This is my third by her and my favorite so far. It does suffer from the same problem I had with the previous two (Wildflower Hill and Lighthouse Bay) in that I just can't get into the present day story. However, in Ember Island the present day story is only about 20-25% of the book. Plus, as a bonus, some of Nell's diary from when she was 12 years old is revealed in the present day story. I really liked reading Nell's diary pages. Nell was a smart, energetic young girl...and very observant.
Tilly's story was quite good and parts were very exciting. The one little nitpick I had about Tilly was I grew tired of her second-guessing her thoughts and actions. She always wanted to put all blame on herself. She came off as too much of a doormat. But overall the story set in the past worked very well and I always was looking forward to what would happen next.
As far as Nina's story goes, oh my, I just didn't enjoy it. And her big secret was awful. I do not see how it could be glossed over so easily...by everyone! It's just not acceptable in any way, shape or form. In the end, I enjoyed Tilly's story so much that I didn't let Nina's bad behavior detract from my rating.
January 3, 2014
It seems a trend in novels these days to write from two time periods that somehow connect. This novel is no exception. It is told in two strands. One from 1890 tells the story of Matilda (Tilly) Kirkland. After the death of her grandfather, who has raised her since her parents died, Tilly discovers her husband Jasper is not the man she thought him to be. The other story takes place in 2012 with the story of author Nina who is struggling to turn her latest manuscript in on time. Both women end up at Starwater House on Ember Island. Added to these two is the precocious child Nell.
The characters were engaging and well drawn, though at various times I got frustrated with both Tilly and Nina. But that is a sign that the characters seem real. This is the second Kimberly Freeman novel I have read, the other being Lighthouse Bay. I enjoyed this one equally as much as that, probably even a bit more and found it one of those books I kept wanting to get back to. So be prepared once you pick it up you are not going to want to put it down till you get to the end. Lovely to just get absorbed in a book.
Have to say though I'd have preferred this cover without the face. I like to imagine how the characters look. But maybe that's just me.
The characters were engaging and well drawn, though at various times I got frustrated with both Tilly and Nina. But that is a sign that the characters seem real. This is the second Kimberly Freeman novel I have read, the other being Lighthouse Bay. I enjoyed this one equally as much as that, probably even a bit more and found it one of those books I kept wanting to get back to. So be prepared once you pick it up you are not going to want to put it down till you get to the end. Lovely to just get absorbed in a book.
Have to say though I'd have preferred this cover without the face. I like to imagine how the characters look. But maybe that's just me.
November 17, 2013
LOVED ‘Ember Island’ by Kimberley Freeman – I think her best so far. Such a talented Australian author. An easy 5 stars for me – a book in which I just about lost my entire Sunday for!! Another dual time novel by Kimberley alternating between the 1800’s and 2012. I did like the historical period a little better – but just LOVED the entire book. This story is very compelling and once you pick it up be prepared to just devour it……FANtastic read and highly recommend. 5+++++
April 6, 2019
4.5★ Loved the setting on an island in Moreton Bay. This was one of those books that I wished I could just read without having to get on with the rest of my life!! I didn't quite buy into the plausibility of the resolution, hence the 4.5★ rather than 5★, but it was still a great story!
October 6, 2013
Needing a great story to slip into and escape for a while, I was delighted to see that Kimberley Freeman's latest, Ember Island had downloaded on my Kindle. Loving Freeman's previous books, I couldn't wait to snuggle down with this one. Cup of tea: check; cushions to rest against: check; silence and no interruptions: check. Big sigh of contentment... open book... And....
Immediately, I was transported to Ember Island, a fictional place in Brisbane's Moreton Bay, and the struggles of internationally renown but reluctant writer, Nina, who, discovering her property on the island (once owned by her grandmother) has been damaged in a storm, arrives to oversee repairs. Only, the house isn't the only thing needing fixing. Nina is nursing a wounded heart and suffering from terrible writers' block and, as the story unfolds, readers learn she is burdened from carrying a guilty secret as well.
The story shifts gear back to the late 1800s and the life of orphaned Matilda Kirkland who, after her beloved grandfather dies, follows her new husband, Jasper, to Guernsey in the Channel Islands to take up life as a wife and all that entails. Only, when Tilly (as she is known) arrives, nothing is as it seems and her dream future with the dashing Jasper soon becomes a nightmare from which she must wake or perish.
Segueing between the two stories of two very different women, the connecting thread being Nina's grandmother, Eleanor or Nell, and the diaries she has left of her childhood on Ember Island, the reader is immersed in their separate travails and quest to find both love and peace, a place to settle their restless souls, but without sacrificing their sense of self.
While Freeman segues between the narratives and times, she doesn't compromise pace or plot and the reader is allowed the time to not only get to know the characters, but to enjoy the unfolding tale as well. At first, I confess, I found Nina a bit whiny, though I did appreciate the descriptions of the crippling doubt even a famous author experiences and her inability to shake these demons. Still, I also wanted to slap her and tell her to appreciate the success she clearly has had, the supportive people in her life and to just get on with it and stop complaining! It's testimony to Freeman's prose that I responded to Nina that way; she is a realised character and certainly, the further you get into the story the more you come to appreciate why Nina feels the way she does.
Tilly is both a product of her era and someone who struggles against the shackles of imposed gender roles and male authority but without sacrificing veracity. Sometimes, however, she is too easily seduced by those who don't have her best intentions at heart; the lessons she learns from them and their actions are hard indeed. The younger characters in the book, especially precocious Nell, are endearing and wise beyond their years.
This is a romance, and while it features good men and bad, it also explores female friendship and the ties that bind and those that are severed and why. I really enjoyed the female relationships and the love and trust and betrayal that are explored within these.
Overall, this is a marvellous page-turner over which I lost sleep trying to get to the end because I simply HAD to know what happened. Though I saw a couple of the twists, there were one or two I did not, and they quite took my breath away!
Anyone looking for a great read, pick up Ember Island, slip into its pages and escape - though here's a warning: you might not want to come back!
February 5, 2017
To διάβασα αμέσως μετά το On writing του King και ούτε παραγγελία να ήταν. Το βιβλίο αυτό περιέχει όλα όσα ο King γράφει ότι δεν πρέπει να έχει ένα μυθιστόρημα: κατινίστικες περιγραφές, αδικαιολόγητες σπασμωδικές κινήσεις της πρωταγωνίστριας γιατί πρωταγωνίστρια είναι και ότι θέλει κάνει και κυρίως σκέφτεται (ίου), ανύπαρκτοι διαλόγοι που εντυπωσιάζουν με το πόσο βαρετοί είναι και εκνευριστικά υπερφλύαρη διήγηση σε βαθμό που οι ίδιοι οι ήρωες όταν δεν τους βλέπουμε είμαι σίγουρη ότι αυτοπυρπολούνται γιατί δεν μπορούν να δραπετεύσουν από ένα τέτοιο κείμενο και ας είναι τόσο μα τόσο ρηχό.
Παρόλα αυτά, το διάβασα όλο. Δεν ξέρω τι παθαίνω όταν δεν μου αρέσει ένα βιβλίο και καταφέρνω και το τελειώνω ταχύτατα, σε αντίθεση με βιβλία που μου αρέσουν πάρα πολύ αλλά κάνω βδομάδες να τα τελειώσω. Πες η περιέργεια; Πες οι καλές κριτικές που έχω διαβάσει από άτομα που ξέρω; Πάντως τρώω κόλλημα γιατί αν δεν τελειώσω ένα βιβλίο που δεν μου αρέσει δεν μπορώ να εκφέρω γνώμη. Ένα μόνο θα πω. Ήταν υπερβολικό που μόνο μέσα σε ένα χρόνο η Τίλι έχασε τον παππού της, άφησε για πάντα τα πάτρια εδάφη, γνώρισε το ποιόν του άνδρα της ο οποίος δεν της έδωσε το πολυπόθητο κοκό, προκάλεσε ότι προκάλεσε, δραπέτευσε, έπιασε δουλειά με άλλο όνομα και ερωτεύτηκε για δεύτερη φορά σε τόσο σύντομο χρόνο, βοήθησε μία κρατούμενη να δραπετεύσει και ένας διευθυντής φυλακής που σε όλο το βιβλίο μας τα πρήζει η συγγραφέας ότι ο συγκεκριμένος διευθυντής δεν κρίνει κανέναν άνθρωπο, αυτός ο άνθρωπος κρίνει αν η Τίλη είναι θύμα ή θύτης και ουσιαστικά αποφασίζει αυτός για το μέλλον της. Επίσης υπερβολικό είναι με το που πήγε η Τίλη στην ενδοχώρα πέθανε το φιλαράκι που είχε εκεί και κληρονόμησε την περιουσία του με την προϋπόθεση ότι θα γινόταν διευθύντρια του σχολείου που θα άνοιγε με την περιουσία που κληρονόμησε. Όλες αυτές οι μεταθανάτιες επιθυμίες έγιναν πραγματικότητα μόλις μέσα σε ένα χρόνο. Και ως στάχτυ στα ματάκια μας, ο διευθυντής ένα χρόνο μετά, αποκαλεί την 14χρονη πλέον κόρη του "νεαρή γυναίκα" για να μη συνειδητοποιήσουμε εμείς οι αναγνώστες ότι όλο αυτό το στόρι διαδραματίστηκε μόλις μέσα σε δύο χρόνια. Την δε παράλληλη ιστορία της Νίνας δεν θα την σχολιάσω. Ολόκληρη ήταν μία υπερβολή. Σε όποιον τοίχο έχωναν το χέρι τους έβρισκαν σημειώσεις του προηγούμενα αιώνα ανέπαφα από τον χρόνο. Απλά καθημερινά πράγματα δηλαδή.
Άλλο ένα λοιπόν μυθιστόρημα όπου η συγγραφέας λέει απίστευτα ψέμματα. Με άλλα λόγια για μένα αυτό το βιβλίο δεν είναι μυθιστόρημα. Το μυθιστόρημα είναι η τέχνη που ο κάθε συγγραφέας εκφράζει την αλήθεια του. Και αυτό που διάβασα ήταν μία προσπάθεια να πει ένα σωρό ψέμματα για να γραφτεί ντε και καλά μία ιστορία με βάση το κλασσικό μυθιστόρημα Τζέην Ερ. Είναι της μόδας τα ψέμματα, όπως είναι επίσης της μόδα να καταπίνουμε τα ψέμματα αμάσητα, αλλά όσο και χτυπιούνται μερικοί το ψέμα δεν μπορεί να ονομαστεί μυθιστόρημα.
Παρόλα αυτά, το διάβασα όλο. Δεν ξέρω τι παθαίνω όταν δεν μου αρέσει ένα βιβλίο και καταφέρνω και το τελειώνω ταχύτατα, σε αντίθεση με βιβλία που μου αρέσουν πάρα πολύ αλλά κάνω βδομάδες να τα τελειώσω. Πες η περιέργεια; Πες οι καλές κριτικές που έχω διαβάσει από άτομα που ξέρω; Πάντως τρώω κόλλημα γιατί αν δεν τελειώσω ένα βιβλίο που δεν μου αρέσει δεν μπορώ να εκφέρω γνώμη. Ένα μόνο θα πω. Ήταν υπερβολικό που μόνο μέσα σε ένα χρόνο η Τίλι έχασε τον παππού της, άφησε για πάντα τα πάτρια εδάφη, γνώρισε το ποιόν του άνδρα της ο οποίος δεν της έδωσε το πολυπόθητο κοκό, προκάλεσε ότι προκάλεσε, δραπέτευσε, έπιασε δουλειά με άλλο όνομα και ερωτεύτηκε για δεύτερη φορά σε τόσο σύντομο χρόνο, βοήθησε μία κρατούμενη να δραπετεύσει και ένας διευθυντής φυλακής που σε όλο το βιβλίο μας τα πρήζει η συγγραφέας ότι ο συγκεκριμένος διευθυντής δεν κρίνει κανέναν άνθρωπο, αυτός ο άνθρωπος κρίνει αν η Τίλη είναι θύμα ή θύτης και ουσιαστικά αποφασίζει αυτός για το μέλλον της. Επίσης υπερβολικό είναι με το που πήγε η Τίλη στην ενδοχώρα πέθανε το φιλαράκι που είχε εκεί και κληρονόμησε την περιουσία του με την προϋπόθεση ότι θα γινόταν διευθύντρια του σχολείου που θα άνοιγε με την περιουσία που κληρονόμησε. Όλες αυτές οι μεταθανάτιες επιθυμίες έγιναν πραγματικότητα μόλις μέσα σε ένα χρόνο. Και ως στάχτυ στα ματάκια μας, ο διευθυντής ένα χρόνο μετά, αποκαλεί την 14χρονη πλέον κόρη του "νεαρή γυναίκα" για να μη συνειδητοποιήσουμε εμείς οι αναγνώστες ότι όλο αυτό το στόρι διαδραματίστηκε μόλις μέσα σε δύο χρόνια. Την δε παράλληλη ιστορία της Νίνας δεν θα την σχολιάσω. Ολόκληρη ήταν μία υπερβολή. Σε όποιον τοίχο έχωναν το χέρι τους έβρισκαν σημειώσεις του προηγούμενα αιώνα ανέπαφα από τον χρόνο. Απλά καθημερινά πράγματα δηλαδή.
Άλλο ένα λοιπόν μυθιστόρημα όπου η συγγραφέας λέει απίστευτα ψέμματα. Με άλλα λόγια για μένα αυτό το βιβλίο δεν είναι μυθιστόρημα. Το μυθιστόρημα είναι η τέχνη που ο κάθε συγγραφέας εκφράζει την αλήθεια του. Και αυτό που διάβασα ήταν μία προσπάθεια να πει ένα σωρό ψέμματα για να γραφτεί ντε και καλά μία ιστορία με βάση το κλασσικό μυθιστόρημα Τζέην Ερ. Είναι της μόδας τα ψέμματα, όπως είναι επίσης της μόδα να καταπίνουμε τα ψέμματα αμάσητα, αλλά όσο και χτυπιούνται μερικοί το ψέμα δεν μπορεί να ονομαστεί μυθιστόρημα.
August 29, 2013
Though I’ve heard a lot about her alter-ego Kim Wilkins, Ember Island is the first Kimberley Freeman novel that I’ve picked up… and it won’t be the last. This is a very engaging novel that spans across two time-periods and examines the life of newleywed Tilly Kirland in the 1890s and bestselling novelist Nina Jones in 2012 who are both drawn to Starwater House on Ember Island.
In 1890, England, Tilly Kirkland is an orphan and at the end of her beloved grandfather’s life she marries Jasper Dellafore, a wealthy man she believes loves her and will provide for her. But when she arrives at his run down home she discovers he is nothing like the well-dressed man who wooed her in Dorset. Instead, he’s a man with a secret, a crippling debt and in fact has little regard for her at all. Tilly soon discovers she was a mean to an end and makes a split second decision to save herself from this life and flees her home and her husband, adopts the name of Chantelle Lejeune and begins a new life in Australia. She arrives on Ember Island, accepts the position of governess to the prisoner superintendent Holt’s daughter, Nell.
In 2012, Nina Jones escapes to her home in Ember Island which is in need of repairs following storm damage and her former tenants abandonment. She feels the pressure of completing a sequel to her bestselling Widow Wayland mystery, but she doubts her legitimacy as a writer and fears her secret will be uncovered. The diary pages hidden in the walls of her home create an obsession within her to find more, to uncover the story behind her grandmother and to inspire her next novel. When a reporter starts asking questions, Nina secludes herself further and sets up home in Starwater, determined to complete her novel. Her handyman, Joe and his son find an unexpected place in her heart but she resists the desire to allow them in completely.
Ember Island is a novel full of intrigue, engaging characters and mysteries that draw me in as a reader and prompted me to keep turning the pages to discover what will happen next. I’ve discovered a new Australian author and I can’t wait to track down her backlist. Actually, I do have Wildflower Hill sitting on my TBR shelf… I must get to that soon!
In 1890, England, Tilly Kirkland is an orphan and at the end of her beloved grandfather’s life she marries Jasper Dellafore, a wealthy man she believes loves her and will provide for her. But when she arrives at his run down home she discovers he is nothing like the well-dressed man who wooed her in Dorset. Instead, he’s a man with a secret, a crippling debt and in fact has little regard for her at all. Tilly soon discovers she was a mean to an end and makes a split second decision to save herself from this life and flees her home and her husband, adopts the name of Chantelle Lejeune and begins a new life in Australia. She arrives on Ember Island, accepts the position of governess to the prisoner superintendent Holt’s daughter, Nell.
In 2012, Nina Jones escapes to her home in Ember Island which is in need of repairs following storm damage and her former tenants abandonment. She feels the pressure of completing a sequel to her bestselling Widow Wayland mystery, but she doubts her legitimacy as a writer and fears her secret will be uncovered. The diary pages hidden in the walls of her home create an obsession within her to find more, to uncover the story behind her grandmother and to inspire her next novel. When a reporter starts asking questions, Nina secludes herself further and sets up home in Starwater, determined to complete her novel. Her handyman, Joe and his son find an unexpected place in her heart but she resists the desire to allow them in completely.
Ember Island is a novel full of intrigue, engaging characters and mysteries that draw me in as a reader and prompted me to keep turning the pages to discover what will happen next. I’ve discovered a new Australian author and I can’t wait to track down her backlist. Actually, I do have Wildflower Hill sitting on my TBR shelf… I must get to that soon!
February 20, 2018
Kimberly is able to hold a pencil!
This book is set mostly in Australia which was a bonus for me as long as descriptions were so clear that reminded me of my grandpa’s stories about his teenage life there
This well-paced novel is full of plot twists and a bit of mystery
Important moral: no matter how horrid truth may seem, truth isn’t so bad after all!
This book is set mostly in Australia which was a bonus for me as long as descriptions were so clear that reminded me of my grandpa’s stories about his teenage life there
This well-paced novel is full of plot twists and a bit of mystery
Important moral: no matter how horrid truth may seem, truth isn’t so bad after all!
July 3, 2018
Kimberley Freeman writes a captivating story about two women seperated by history. Both of them are strong willed women who have survived tradegy and come out stronger on the other side. Tilly while taking care of her ailing grandfather meets and marries Jasper. A man who falsely presents himself to be rich and compassionate. She soon finds out this is not true and through circumstances not of her own fault soon finds herself on the run. Fast forward a couple of centuries to Nina a young writer who escapes to her great grandmother's home on Ember Island. She is experiencing writer's block and hopes this secluded home will help her. She finds it does in more ways that she thought. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Kimberley Freeman's books and will continue to do so as she has a new lifelong fan in me
June 3, 2019
Kuaförde beklerken bitirdim.
Açık ara farkla favorim Nell oldu, yaşına rağmen diğer karakterle aralarında büyük bir fark olduğunu göstermiş oldu bence. Tilly bazen beni cinnet sınırına getirdi. Ama onu da sevdim. Ama joe dışındaki bütün erkeklere sinir oldum.
Açık ara farkla favorim Nell oldu, yaşına rağmen diğer karakterle aralarında büyük bir fark olduğunu göstermiş oldu bence. Tilly bazen beni cinnet sınırına getirdi. Ama onu da sevdim. Ama joe dışındaki bütün erkeklere sinir oldum.
September 13, 2014
Όταν αποφάσισα να διαβάσω το «Άγριο Κυκλάμινο», ήμουν σίγουρη μόνο για το ότι θα είναι ένα καλογραμμένο βιβλίο. Γνωρίζω την πένα της Kimberley Freeman και ήξερα πως δε θα με απογοήτευε. Για την ίδια την ιστορία διατηρούσα κάποιες αμφιβολίες καθώς, δε μου είχε κινήσει έντονα το ενδιαφέρον. Όλα αυτά μέχρι να γνωρίσω τις υπέροχες κυρίες μέσα στις σελίδες του.
Η ιστορία έχει δύο αφετηρίες. Μία στο παρελθόν και άλλη μία στο παρόν. Η κάθε ιστορία έχει διαφορετικούς αφηγητές.
Το 1891 η Τίλι απογοητευμένη από τη ζωή και τους ανθρώπους, πιάνει δουλειά ως γκουβερνάντα της Νελ. Την αγαπά βαθιά, αλλά αυτό που πραγματικά τη συγκλονίζει είναι η έλξη της για τον πατέρα της νεαρής προστατευόμενης της. Η Τίλι, αν και έχει περάσει πολλά, είναι μια γυναίκα που υψώνει το ανάστημά της στο άδικο. Τι γίνεται όμως όταν καλείται να διαλέξει ανάμεσα στη συνείδησή της, τον έρωτα και τη μητρική αγάπη;
Κάπου το 2012 η Νίνα ανακαλύπτει τις κρυμμένες αλήθειες που η Νελ κατέγραφε. Θα προσπαθήσει να βρει την άκρη του νήματος μέσα από τη φωνή της Νελ, αν και στην πραγματικότητα πρωταγωνίστρια αυτού του βιβλίου είναι η Τίλι. Και στο πρόσωπο της Τίλι, όλες οι γυναίκες.
Κατά την γνώμη μου, εκτός από την εξαιρετική πένα της συγγραφέως, αλλά και την ενδιαφέρουσα ιστορία, το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο είναι ένας ύμνος στην επιτέλεση της γυναικείας ταυτότητας. Η Freeman μας διηγείται τους τρόπους με τους οποίους, σε συγκεκριμένες χρονικές περιόδους, οι γυναίκες «εκπαιδεύονταν» ώστε να υπηρετούν συγκεκριμένους ρόλους.
Το «Άγριο Κυκλάμινο» είναι ένα μαγικό βιβλίο, γεμάτο λυρισμό, ποίηση, μα πάνω από όλα συναίσθημα. Σε προκαλεί να ερωτευτείς, να γευτείς, να κλάψεις, μα πάνω από όλα να κατανοήσεις τη διαφορετικότητα. Το γεγονός πως οι άνθρωποι δίπλα σου είναι απλώς άνθρωποι και να σεβαστείς πως είναι διαφορετικοί από εσένα. Αυτό δεν τους αφαιρεί το δικαίωμα στα λάθη. Άλλωστε, πως μπορείς να αγαπάς κάποιον όταν δε ξέρεις και δε δέχεσαι τη σκοτεινή του πλευρά;
Η ιστορία έχει δύο αφετηρίες. Μία στο παρελθόν και άλλη μία στο παρόν. Η κάθε ιστορία έχει διαφορετικούς αφηγητές.
Το 1891 η Τίλι απογοητευμένη από τη ζωή και τους ανθρώπους, πιάνει δουλειά ως γκουβερνάντα της Νελ. Την αγαπά βαθιά, αλλά αυτό που πραγματικά τη συγκλονίζει είναι η έλξη της για τον πατέρα της νεαρής προστατευόμενης της. Η Τίλι, αν και έχει περάσει πολλά, είναι μια γυναίκα που υψώνει το ανάστημά της στο άδικο. Τι γίνεται όμως όταν καλείται να διαλέξει ανάμεσα στη συνείδησή της, τον έρωτα και τη μητρική αγάπη;
Κάπου το 2012 η Νίνα ανακαλύπτει τις κρυμμένες αλήθειες που η Νελ κατέγραφε. Θα προσπαθήσει να βρει την άκρη του νήματος μέσα από τη φωνή της Νελ, αν και στην πραγματικότητα πρωταγωνίστρια αυτού του βιβλίου είναι η Τίλι. Και στο πρόσωπο της Τίλι, όλες οι γυναίκες.
Κατά την γνώμη μου, εκτός από την εξαιρετική πένα της συγγραφέως, αλλά και την ενδιαφέρουσα ιστορία, το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο είναι ένας ύμνος στην επιτέλεση της γυναικείας ταυτότητας. Η Freeman μας διηγείται τους τρόπους με τους οποίους, σε συγκεκριμένες χρονικές περιόδους, οι γυναίκες «εκπαιδεύονταν» ώστε να υπηρετούν συγκεκριμένους ρόλους.
Το «Άγριο Κυκλάμινο» είναι ένα μαγικό βιβλίο, γεμάτο λυρισμό, ποίηση, μα πάνω από όλα συναίσθημα. Σε προκαλεί να ερωτευτείς, να γευτείς, να κλάψεις, μα πάνω από όλα να κατανοήσεις τη διαφορετικότητα. Το γεγονός πως οι άνθρωποι δίπλα σου είναι απλώς άνθρωποι και να σεβαστείς πως είναι διαφορετικοί από εσένα. Αυτό δεν τους αφαιρεί το δικαίωμα στα λάθη. Άλλωστε, πως μπορείς να αγαπάς κάποιον όταν δε ξέρεις και δε δέχεσαι τη σκοτεινή του πλευρά;
December 19, 2014
Three characters, two historical and one modern day, are cleverly bonded together creating this compelling novel. In 2012, Nina, a bestselling author, retreats to Ember Island, Australia to oversee the roof repair on a manor house that once belonged to her grandmother. Suffering from writer’s block she decides to stay a while and concentrate on her next book. She finds old diary entries from 1891, written by her grandmother, Eleanor, hidden within the walls of the house.
In 1891 thirteen year old Eleanor, Nina’s grandmother, lives with her father who is the superintendent of the island prison. She is a highly intelligent and precocious child. She keeps very good notes about the life of her governess, Tilly, who has many secrets about her past. The situation grows complicated as Tilly tries to amend her checkered past by helping one of the women from the prison, putting those around her in great danger.
Equally exciting in both time periods the drama, suspense and romance kept me reading way into the night. In every respect this perfectly written novel held my attention and kept me completely absorbed in the story. It was captivating, the characters were engrossing, and created a memorable historical tale that I could not put down. This is no surprise because every novel I have read by Kimberly Freeman has left an imprint on my mind. It was thought provoking causing me to appreciate the rights of women and equality between men and women that we practice in this century. I believe that fans of women’s fiction and also of historical fiction will find the novel entertaining, thought provoking and the perfect escapist fiction. I have loved all of this author’s works, however this is my favorite. I highly recommend it!
In 1891 thirteen year old Eleanor, Nina’s grandmother, lives with her father who is the superintendent of the island prison. She is a highly intelligent and precocious child. She keeps very good notes about the life of her governess, Tilly, who has many secrets about her past. The situation grows complicated as Tilly tries to amend her checkered past by helping one of the women from the prison, putting those around her in great danger.
Equally exciting in both time periods the drama, suspense and romance kept me reading way into the night. In every respect this perfectly written novel held my attention and kept me completely absorbed in the story. It was captivating, the characters were engrossing, and created a memorable historical tale that I could not put down. This is no surprise because every novel I have read by Kimberly Freeman has left an imprint on my mind. It was thought provoking causing me to appreciate the rights of women and equality between men and women that we practice in this century. I believe that fans of women’s fiction and also of historical fiction will find the novel entertaining, thought provoking and the perfect escapist fiction. I have loved all of this author’s works, however this is my favorite. I highly recommend it!
November 25, 2013
Ember Island is the second novel I have read by Australian author Kimberley Freeman (I think it's safe to say I am a convert now, and I am in the process of hunting down all her older books to add to my collection). Set on the fictional Ember Island, it features a dual storyline involving two women from different time periods - Tilly Kirkland, a 19th Century governess, and Nina Jones, a 21st Century novel-writer. Both women are dealing with emotional scars which seem set to plague them until they can absolve themselves of their past. Tilly struggles with guilt over her part in a terrible crime, while Nina has purposely isolated herself on the island once inhabited by her ancestor, the precocious Nell, the girl that Tilly is charged with educating. The story really centres around all three women, and Kimberley Freeman expertly handles the triple narratives with her usual grace and aplomb. As their stories converge, each woman must deal with her past in order to secure a happy future.
This was a wonderful book, full of secrets and surprises. The characters felt very real to me, and there are some descriptions and passages that I just loved for Kimberley's unique vocabulary and the way she phrases sentences. Highly recommended for lovers of dual storylines, historical fiction, family secrets and general good writing!!!
This was a wonderful book, full of secrets and surprises. The characters felt very real to me, and there are some descriptions and passages that I just loved for Kimberley's unique vocabulary and the way she phrases sentences. Highly recommended for lovers of dual storylines, historical fiction, family secrets and general good writing!!!
December 14, 2015
I absolutely loved "Wildflower Hill" and when I stumbled across this book at my local library, I just grabbed it off the shelf. I am so glad that I did because the author delighted me with this tale of two women separated by centuries but are tied together by secrets and an ancestral Australian home.
Once again, it was the story of yesterday that really consumed my attention and I greedily turned each page wanting more. The ending although satisfying left me with a lot of "I wonder what happens next." Not complaining. I actually like that authors leave a little to the imagination.
Once again, it was the story of yesterday that really consumed my attention and I greedily turned each page wanting more. The ending although satisfying left me with a lot of "I wonder what happens next." Not complaining. I actually like that authors leave a little to the imagination.
August 21, 2013
It was an amazing book with lovable characters, a quest for redemption and a fiery island in the end of the world. Ember Island reveals many secrets about a not-so-distant era and provokes thinking about the position of woman in society. What I like most in Freeman's books is the depth of the plots and the vivid storytelling.
If you do like Ember Island, I most heartily suggest The Wildflower Hill, also by her.
If you do like Ember Island, I most heartily suggest The Wildflower Hill, also by her.
September 9, 2016
Well, not perfect but who cares, it worked wonderfully to me and I wish I had more pages to read.
I'm sure it will stay with me for some time!
I'm sure it will stay with me for some time!
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